Surface Paneling Practices

Surface Paneling Practices

The "Fun surfaces" I came up with for the first stage 

     First I started with creating intriguing surfaces so I can later have a grid pattern on those surfaces. For the fun surfaces, I lofted the curves or surfaces together. As I went through the assignment, I had to make more surfaces to make more complex 3D patterns. 

4 grid patterns

       I went through what we learned from Monday and experimented with different direction, distances, and U/V directions. I experimented with  ptGrid Surface Domain, ptGridUCurves, and ptGridExtrude. I was aiming to finding a balanced grids that is neither too dense nor too sparse.  I think I am most happy about the two on the right side. 

2D Custom Paneling

2D custom paneling

            For my 2D custom paneling, I tested out with main symmetrical shapes. For the most time, when I think of a pattern, I tends to think of it in a symmetrical way. The fifth one down on the right side is the only one I created without a symmetrical pattern. I was truly excited when I went on to play with 3D Custom Paneling. 

3D Custom Paneling

3D Panel A

3D Custom Panel A

     For the first experimentation of 3D Custom Paneling, I extruded a curve vertically. From the result, there're "opening" that you can see through. The curvature of the surface also allows one to observe the change in density of the pattern (or permeability of the opening).  

Rendering of the 3D custom Panel A

3D Panel B

3D Custom Paneling B

      For the second one, I made it into (almost) a solid cone with a hollow interior. I am not particularly fond of this one because of the intense density of the pattern. 

3D Panel C

3D Custom Panel C

      I tried to create a more complex 3D shape this time. I think this 3D pattern turned out to be more of a object instead of a abstract form. as it turned into a panel, it stretched too far at the left side, which gave the pattern a warping appearance.

3D Panel D

3D Custom Panel C

Render A

Render B

        After several experimentation with 3D patterns, I finally reached my favorite one where I took two overlapped, angled rings as my pattern. I really like the way the panel turns out. I also render the end product to see it in a more tangible way. 

I learned a lot of useful tips for paneling from this exercise! I have yet to explore the full potential of the paneling tool! I am very excited about designing architecture, industrial products, and other fabrication with this technique.