Module 2 Mengqi Yu Student Number: 581992 Semester 1/ 2012 Group 8
Models from Module 1:
Module 1 Abstract & Initial Refinement
From Module 1, I create chose the natural process of cloud formation. The final model was inspired from the vortex street clouds, where the Kรกrmรกn vortex street theory was reflected by the design.
Initial Refined Shape
In Module 2, by further considering digitalizing as well as light effect of the lantern, I modified my idea again by enlarging the starting curve and simplifying the rest of the flow. This modification emphasized the fluid form of the lantern. In order to create a better light effect, I took out the vortices in the middle, as they may prevent the light passing though.
Digitization & Initial Refinement - Contouring Method: using reference pictures I took a picture of each top and right view of the model with scale 1:5. Then I inserted picture frames in Rhino 5 and drew the curves following the reference pictures and loft it. However the model lofted is not exactly the same as the model made. I used extract/ socurve to Right the initial lofted model in order to show the cross sections. I lofted it again without either the front or back point (as it will not allow panelling). Finally, the refined model was made. I emphasized the fluid form of the model by setting the effect to mean style in curvature analysis. Top
Extract/ socurve
Initial Lofted model
Refined Model - curvature analysis : Mean
Panel 2D Grid: Angel Box
Panel 2D Grid: Wave
Panel 3D Grid: Wedge
Panel 3D Grid: Pyramid 1
Panel 2D Grid: Tribasic
Initial Experimentation Paneling Tool In the initial experimentation, I panelled the entire surface with both 2D and 3D panel grids in Rhino. By trying different panels, I gained the basic ideas of how to create my own panels.
Exploring Costum Panels
Above 3: Panel Custom 3D
Right: Panel Custom 3D Variable. Pattern Method: List Distribution Method: Gaussian Curvature
Exploring Costum Panels- Panel Custom 3D
Exploring Costum Panels Patterns As the main element of cloud is water, I researched some patterns of water texture and clouds. I found out that water surfaces are basically either irregular polygons or ripples, while water droplets are circular. However, I am more interested in the irregular polygons. I tried to combine the soft cloud feelings and the irregular water texture together. Therefore, I considered adding curve lines in the panel.
Exploring Custom Panels
Panel Custom 3D After analysing water textures and clouds’ patterns, I customized a new panel in Rhino and apply it throughout the entire surface. The raised part is for controlling the light.
Exploring Custom Panel
Panel Custom 3D, List, PointAttractor Pattern: Triangle combined with curves. As the structure of water molecule is triangle, the main shape of the panel is based on triangle. The embossment parts bounded by curve create a soft feeling of the object, which symbolises the soft texture of the clouds.
Top 2: Removing panels along the curve to create different light effect.
Exploring Custom Panel
Below: Panel Custom 3D
Point Light
Precedents - Light and Shadow Vanessa AlariePaper, Light and Shadow The light used and shadow projected in the installation gave me an imposing feeling. I love the organic form made by paper. In my design, I intended to design relative organic panels to suit my fluid lantern shape.
Fractales Lamps Argentinian Designers Stanziano + Batti have created a set of textile lamps made with complex geometric shapes. They started with the concept of folding technique, such as origami (a traditional Japanese paper folding techniques). The paper folding techniques interest me, I plan to do more research about it and try it on real paper as experiments.
Left: The combinations of both dark and light fabrics create different light effect. In the real model making, we have the choice to choose black and white paper. I am thinking of a way to combine them with the light effect.
Precedents National Library in Astana, Kazakhstan / BIG I paid attention to the patterns used for panelling. Even though the structure of the building is a circular spiral shape, the single panel used is in a straight-lined geometric form. They created a few similar patterns to panel the curve. According to the precedents analysis, I intended to modify the curve lines in my panel to straight lines.
On the Fringe A Los Angeles installation by Layer pushed paper to the limit Layer is a design studio, who designed this paper installation. They firstly considered how to filter the light then sliced, folded and punched paper into modules in myriad of shapes and sizes. Experimentation on light and paper is very important for a design.
Precedents Ryuji Nakamura’s Paper Works cornfield (Installation at the National
Museum of Modern Art Tokyo, 2010): Different view, amazing structure and details As the precedents above, the curly surface of the installation is constructed by straight lines as well. I particularly like the transitional density of the installation. This inspired me to use point attractors in rhino to change the distribution of panels.
Further Experimentation - Tissue In order to further develop my own panels, I did some experiments on tissue. The reason why that I chose tissue is that its colour and soft texture remind me of cloud. Initially, I crumpled the tissue in order to create some pleats similar as clouds. By using the torch lighting through the tissue, I found out some interesting patterns and light effect. The high light in the middle emphasize the shapes, patterns and shadows of the tissue. Moreover, the gradient from white to grey to black is shown on the tissue. All these effect inspired me to think about that how to show the layers of light and create various projected shadows.
Basic Concepts: Dividing the Paper
Experimentation on Material -Folding & Lightening Folding Techniques: Basic Pleats
V-Pleats
“One way to give a sheet of paper or a flat textile three dimensions is to fold it. Another way is to work at the edge, making fringe that flutters, wiggles, and curls,� ---Emily White
According to the videos demonstrated by Paul Jackson and produced by Laurence King Publishing. These are some basic folding techniques, which helps me be familiar with the texture of paper and its light effects. Spans and Parabolas: X-Form Spans
Crumpling
Prototyping Above: By changing the light source direction of the object, there is a different light effect and shadow projected by the object. The light can be either diverged or converged. Moreover, by slicing the object, a beautiful free form shadow can be created.
Left : Cutting the traditional Japanese Masu Box. Creating V shape light effect.
Left below 2: Experimenting with the custom panels created before. While cutting the panels on paper, I found out that the curve lines are hard to be cut accurately. Therefore, I decided to create some geometric panels with straight lines and panelling a fluid form by changing their sizes.
Right: Removing triangular panels along diagonal to create different light effect.
Final Refinement - Patterns
Triangle components
Square Base
Dividing Points
Curve: Lines are similar to curve when divided into more parts
Pattern in Rhino
Cutting Parts
I kept using the idea of water texture and refined the curve lines in the pattern. The cutting parts are for lighe ts to go through and projected various shadows. Morevoer, by usin the “offset faces borders� command, the triangular surfaces can be hollowed out in various ways.
Prototyping At this stage, I did another prototype for my final decision. I used both black and white paper to set the photostage in order to emphasize both the testing patterns, light effects and its projected shadows. Above: initial patterns
Above: initial light effect
Left: By hollowing out the triangular surface, I created various light and shadow effects. This is for testing using the command of “offset face borders� in Rhino.
Front
right
top
left
Final Refinement - Orthographic & Perspective Views perspective
bottom
Final Refinement
Surface Domain Variable Panel 3D grid (Partition) + Panel Custom 3D+ Offset Faces Border
Head Tail
Inspired from the precendent of Ryuji Nakamura’s Paper Works, I planed to apply dense panels on both head and tail areas. Relative sparse panels will be applied in the middle part of lantern.
Final Refinement - Lightening
Lightenin Effect: Using Point lights and black background
Reflection
In Module 2, we start digitalizing our model using Rhino 5.0. It is a very challenging part. The final model effect can be visualized in a 3D view through the software. However, there are many limitations in the process of digitalization. Initially, we have to choose a right contouring method and constructed clear and logical curves as the outlines of the model. This part is very important; otherwise we cannot loft the model or encounter some problems like intersecting surfaces. The paneling process is very exciting. Even some basic patterns can be paneled to an amazing effect. I used the 3D panel grid in Rhino as fundamental patterns to digitize my model, as they are simple patterns, which are easier for the future model making. Then, I explored various custom panels to find out the most suitable patterns for my model. According to the chosen natural process of cloud formation, I did some relevant research about cloud shapes and water texture (as clouds are mainly formed by water). Primarily, most patterns I created have curve lines. Some patterns designed are very complex. However, paneling those complex patterns may achieve disappointed results. Therefore, I kept going back to the basic patterns and moving forward to redevelop my patterns. By further considering the materiality of using paper, I modified my patterns by dividing the curly shapes into basic triangle. A similar curly edge can be made by combining different sizes of triangles. Triangles are easier to be fold and cut. In order to get familiar with paper and do prototyping, I tried some folding technique from online tutorials and testing different light effect by cutting, slicing and crumpling paper. After experimentation, I went back to Rhino to refine my model in order to create the patterns and light effects that I want. The command of “offset face borders� is very interesting; it can not only change the variety of panels but also the light effect. I used this command to along a curly line on the edge of model to emphasize its fluid form. Overall, my final model basically followed my desired design outcome. However, it still needs to be further explored in future development.