To some, this might seem redundant.

Labeling a stack of plywood, "PLY".  The joke is that that is the name of the office.  The driver did not appreciate that I asked him to step aside so I could take a picture.

 

Hydrophobic Surface Mapping

I have been working on a new knowledge pattern project that maps the flow over a surface.  The bigger project is to develop a new form of tiling that incorporates performance into the patterning and surface subdivision.  In the first series below, you can see the various steps to the flow pattern (the original surface, the first knowledge pattern that creates a set of isocurves, and then the lines of flow based on the difference between vertical and the surface normal at that intersection.

Below are a couple of variations as the surface is manipulated.  The next immediate step is to capture the lengths of the lines and possibly vary the line weight to better graphically represent the impact of slope. (click the image for a larger view)

Another iteration. (click for larger view)

Below is an obvious example of water moving across a surface.  The Lotus Leaf surface is "hydrophobic", keeping it clean because of its ability to repel water.

Back from CA

Had a great trip out to CalPoly SLO this past weekend.  The student work that I saw looked very interesting and I also had a chance to see the progress of a design build studio led by Mark Cabrinha.  I was also blown away by reviews outside, could never happen in Michigan.

Obviously had to get some good food along the way.  In and out burger a must at LAX and Sushi Gen an LA favorite.

Lecture on Friday

On Friday November 20th, I'll be lecturing at CAL POLY as part of the Hearst Lectures.  The theme this term is "Integrated Practices".  I will be discussing current work from PLY and recent research interests at U of M.  

 

Knowledge Pattern Tweek

So it was a simple test tonight, maybe just to try it and see if it worked.  I am already plotting the next tutorial that will involve some form of 'intelligence' for the insertion of UDFs.  The simple test tonight was to color the UDF based on the even or odd values of i and j.  Since there is no even or odd, I had to use MOD.  In this case there are if/else statements to change the color.

Future tutorial will create a script that decides which UDF to insert given a certain condition.  At least this is where I am heading.  It will probably just be a simple condition, but way in the future this might be based on curvature or planarity.

Using the previous tutorial you can insert the following text in place of the p1.color line:

if mod(j,2)<1 and mod(i,2)<1
            p1.Color =   "143,188,143"

else if mod(j,2)>0 and mod(i,2)>0
            p1.Color =   "193,205,193"
else

            p1.Color =   "131,139,131"

Knowledge Pattern Tutorial

Here is the first knowledge pattern tutorial.  The tutorial is broken into two parts, the first part steps through the process for the creation of a framework and the second part inserts the surfaces into the framework.

link to PART1 Video Tutorial

link to catscript sample file for part 1

link to PART2 Video Tutorial

link to catscript sample file for part 2