Midterm layout

The main deliverable for the mid-term is a final basswood model for the performance landscape; limit 18x24x6, built up from three basswood sheets: 1/16, 1/4, 1/2. At this point, main areas of research and the conceptual framework have been established; Testing Grounds have emerged, and the evolution of Creatures (structural seedlings) is well under way. We introduce a 3D authoring tool in order to support the synthesis of creatures and ground (lattice and cell). The continuity of the individual projects needs to be assured, and all work is geared towards the mid-term deliverable, the basswood model.

It will be rewarding to address the cell/lattice operations, and it is a major act of transposition to feed the results back into the basswood realm. We shall take a very pragmatic approach to this. Simple screenshot print outs serve as templates for basswood elements to be built up. We do not use the tool as a representational one, but use it for its generative powers alone. Renderings are excluded and we go as far as eliminating any prints from presentations; successful line drawings need to be reworked in pencil on vellum to become part of the presentation material. The 3D tool registers in a project only through the immediate impact on the physical model.

We will introduce the very basics of the software and limit the package to a tight set of essential tools. The geometry will be limited to nurbs, understanding of nurb surface tectonic is key. Hierarchies of CVs, curves and surfaces shall be understood. Issues of control and curve intelligence shall be discussed. CVs are counted and indexed. All operations are recorded numerically. References nurb-surface-tectonic to wood-tectonic are welcome. Transposition between pure surface geometry and basswood in different thickness is important.

After a brief round of familiarizing with the tools, present data of the project will be converted into xyz location of CVs. (snap grid (unit=inch) ¼ subdiv) Sets of simple curves with a given cv count generate simple, very clean nurb surfaces. Operational integrity with current stage project is privileged over formal identity, yet formal references are encouraged. Three creatures emerge in direct lineage from current paper and basswood models; they are enhanced in sequence within the tool and transported right back into the phys. model. Operations are based on project recipes and operational language (fitness and crystallography, see 'Works' above) Direct links are made between recent paper enfolding model and nurb manipulations.

Combinatory logic is tested in series (structural matrix formation) expanding the field. Emerging landscapes are to be seen in direct relation to existing ‘testing ground’ models (paper). Patterns and lattice formations are generated in continuous variation. Simple numerically controlled duplications in series generate first landscape formations.

Interface, navigation, basic settings, groups and hierarchies, outliner as organizational tool, cv curve tool, lofting and manipulators will be introduced in the first session today. Surface operations for creatures, duplication techniques for landscape formations and use of templates will be discussed in a second session tomorrow.