Forum: 3D Modeling


Subject: Mathematic modeling?

nextstep opened this issue on Sep 14, 2006 · 27 posts


nextstep posted Fri, 29 September 2006 at 11:24 AM

Quote - I do agree that your 'new' aproach to modeling is interesting. I also agree on the 'mathematics can be fun' statement on your website.

Thanks, we have the same feeling then.

Quote - But... I must admit I feel kinda weird about this development. Genius programmers around the world have developped software that allows us to model both ways; either freely in a virtual 3D space, dragging points and polygons with our mouse; or mathematical by numerics, adjusting point and poly positions on a numeric basis.

I do agree that there is already genius software for doing 3D modelling, but did they generate mathematical equations for there creations? You said "adjusting point and poly positions on a numeric basis", that's in fact the way of the actual modelling, some sort of "approximation", no pure mathematical shapes where the connections are perfectlly defined by mathematical formulas. The first rule in mathematical modelling is, and it can sound weird : We don't talk about defined points in 3D space, nor polygones, because they are only approximations of our mathematical objects which are free from any approximations: The picture showing the half of your face and an approximation of it is a good example to use here : the mathematical formulas are like the surface of your face, it can't be fully defined by some approximations points because we need an infinite number of them.
I was working in a mathematical viewer, then I realised that the shapes can be used in 3D scenes. I was shortlly after looking for new mathematical shapes (for use in 3D scenes) but it was hard to find them in the net or create them by hand. I found that some mathematical transformation can be applied directly to my formulas to make some easy transformations (twist and scale ). There is also some ways to create  mathematical formulas for surfaces by using the mouse: The idea of creating mathematical formulas for every generated shape  was since then in my head! The idea is simple but it seems that no one take it seriouslly

Quote - Either way, they made sure we could focus on modeling cool stuff without having to worry about the sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent and the other -angents. That's actualy why computers where developped, to take care of those calculations for us...

You'll not have to worry about sine, cosine and other -angents 😄 , because the software will be able to generate the formulas for you! The way of modelling is the same like the one you're used to, the only difference is that you'll probablly not have all the features available for the mesh modellers.

Quote - Don't get me wrong, I do think this is a cool idea that may become a new way of modeling in certain areas like medical stuff or nasa projects, where mathematical accuracy is crucial, but as a self proclaimed 'artist' that goes by his intuition, creativity and often cheer old providence while creating stuff, this kind of modeling would kinda take the fun out of it...

Thanks for the advice but right now I still have fun with it and hope to make others to feel the same 😄

Quote - Anyhow, I sincearely wish you all the best with your project! Mike

Thanks.
Taha