Large Assignment 5 – Tiling – Wayne Rudnick

*All of my code is in one grasshopper/rhino file you can find at the bottom of this post*

Part 1 – 2D Tiling

Design Process –

For this 2D tiling section, I wanted to design a tile that used mathematical elements whilst also making a plane of tiles that look similar to pieces from a puzzle. I went in and I manually decided to design the two lines that go out from (0,0). The first line that goes up the y axis from the origin I wanted to petrude outward, yet have an inflection point. I experimented having the shape be the same on both sides of the inflection point, but I prefered the tiling pattern when one side was a little different from the other. For the second line that goes along the x axis, I wanted to design a wave that looks similar to that of a sine wave. When I brought these two elements together, I had a mathamatical shape, that looked like it belongs in a puzzle. I was happy with how the tiles turned out, and I decided to use this tile on part 2 and 3.

Images –

Part 2 – 3D Printed 3D Tiles

Design and Coding Process –

For the 3D printed tiles, I based my design on the 2D version, as I really liked the puzzle-like shape I created in 2D. This shape inspired me to experiment with an extrusion along the Z-axis. I extruded my 2D tile shape upward in a sine wave pattern, creating an effect where each tile appears to slide back and forth as it ascends along the Z-axis. This wave-like extrusion added dynamic movement to the structure, enhancing the interactive, puzzle-like qualities of the tiles. When I received the printed tiles, I found that they were non-trivial to assemble, which emphasized their puzzle-like characteristics and added an extra layer of engagement to the design. Overall, the design printed well, capturing the intended complexity and visual interest.

Rhino Images –

Printed Object Photos –

Part 3 – Surface Morph

Process Description –

Part 3, the surface morph, was the most challenging section of the project for me. I encountered several difficulties in trying to apply the tile surface to a 3D object, which required multiple attempts and adjustments in my code. Eventually, I managed to map my tiles around a large cylinder. Due to the width of the tiles and their significant protrusion from the cylinder’s surface, the final design took on an exaggerated and somewhat abstract form, which I found visually compelling. The computational load of the program was quite high, which limited the extent to which I could print the object. I was only able to print a partial section up the cylinder. However, this partial print effectively demonstrates the design’s concept, and the result still captures the unique spatial relationship of the tiles with the cylinder, as shown in the images. The protrusion of the surface morph adds a striking visual quality that highlights the contrast between the base cylinder and the tile pattern wrapping around it.

Code –