The Polyhedra Project (video summary)

I finally got some time to edit old footage...and build a garden...and breathe, think, reflect.

Here is a video summarizing my parametric 3d printed magnetic polyhedral assembly tiles. 

About 8 hours in Adobe Premiere to do the bulk of the work, then a few hours to make final edits and export it.

Trapezohedra

Another set of magnetic tile polyhedra. This time, three different trapezohedra.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trapezohedron

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2168615

https://github.com/eshira/polyhedra

I used this resource to define the kite and dihedral angles, but the hexagonal and heptagonal did not work out (and I believe the octagonal also has issues). Fixing them is on my to do list. I plan to write a script that actually generates them from the antriprisms.

Deltoidal Icositetrahedron

Another magnetic tile 3d printed polyhedron for the collection. This time, the deltoidal icositetrahedron.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1604905
https://github.com/eshira/polyhedra/tree/master/Deltoidal-Icositetrahedron

Happy printing!

Rhombic Triacontahedron

Another magnetic tile 3d printed polyhedron for the collection. This time, the rhombic triacontahedron.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1593892
https://github.com/eshira/polyhedra/tree/master/Rhombic-Triacontahedron

Happy printing!

Holiday Gifts and Files

I'd like to finally make good on my promise to myself to learn 3D design tools. I spent all night trying my hand at Blender. I won't let myself be discouraged by the steep learning curve. But to make myself feel a bit better, here's a long overdue post: more laser cutter projects I made for the holidays.

Gorillaz - stained and painted laser etched plywood

I used this reference drawing.

Here is the vector art I created in pdf format.

Samus - stained and painted laser etched wood

I used this reference drawing.

Here is the vector art I created in pdf format.

Knit Wood - stained and painted laser etched plywood

Here is the vector art I created in pdf format.

Magnolia Card Set - paper mod podge

I made a total of 13 of these. Easy, fun project.

Here is the vector art I created in pdf format.
The original was a very low res gif online.

Map of Wisconsin with an error - painted plywood

Lakes and rivers are represented, as well as state lines

By mistake, I painted part of Minnesota underwater...

This is also a simple application of the Four Color Theorem

Here is the vector art I created in pdf format.

16-hex anisohedral tiles - painted plywood

Joseph Myers runs a program to discover interesting tilings like these.

He also provides PDFs to all the tilings directly from that link.

To sum it up in one line: 10 of these tiles create a pattern that can be simply repeated by rotation and translation (no holes allowed)
With 20 tiles, you need only translate the group to tile the plane.

Here's the direct link to the download from Myers' page (compressed archive, pdf inside)

I added some extra engraving to pattern the tiles for visual effect.