Welcome back. In a recent post, I talked about my most favorite geometric shape here.
Continuing with that “obsession”, here are a handful of more prototypes of Metamobius shapes. The algorithm generates different shapes…I don’t know the limit yet (can be in thousands as far as I can tell), but I’ve selected a few that just connect with me! (I’ve contacted the inventor to see if we can do this in Python so I can generate more variations). Meanwhile, I printed out the computer-generated graphics using the algorithm on paper…that is, in 2D and wanted to see if I can actually recreate them in physical world using clay in 3D that I can see from all directions. The answer is amazingly YES! They’re doable albeit VERY difficult with hand and no fancy suspension equipment to hold the shapes.
I used some old plasticine clay and prototyped them. Here are some camphone video clips of what I made so far…they are not to scale and not yet perfected…but I plan to recreate some more with real/professional clay with more accuracy and finesse.
Prototype of shape 2:
Prototype of shape 3:
Prototype of shape 4:
>> prototype of shape 1 posted here)
P.S. NO! Don’t cheat with 3D printers! It’s not going to tickle your brain at all. Do it with hands or don’t [cheat] at all.
Nice work on Metamobius surfaces!
I’m writing a book how to generate them and topologically categorize each surface. I should have written it quite a while ago but I’ve just been having too much fun creating and studying these wonderful surfaces. It will be a fun book. I’ll be giving another lecture about them at the University of Waterloo at the annual international math teachers conference this August. I want the book to be ready by then. Also, the website is not great – soon to be updated.
Thanks for your interest in the incredible world of one-sided surfaces. I love it!