This week’s selection is the Stereographic Projection by mathematician Henry Segerman.
Segerman has appeared in our pages many times previously, and with good reason: he is a mathematician that uses advanced techniques to create incredible 3D models that are sometimes hard to believe. He’s produced our Design of the Week no less than three times:
- Design of the Week: Sphere Autologlyph
- Design of the Week: Gripping Gears
- Design of the Week: Slide Glide Cyclides
Now he’s in for a fourth with the Stereographic Projection 3D model.
This is what might at first seem to be a simple ball, but Segerman has adapted the shape to generate a shadow when illuminated from the top.
While the ball is round, along with the curves of the voids in the ball, the shadow takes on a rigid cross-hatch pattern. This is due to the way the light rays travel through the voids in the ball. Segerman used mathematical techniques to generate the precise structure to create this illusion.
This isn’t a new design, but it’s in a new place. Segerman had previously sold his designs on Shapeways, but that service went bankrupt a few months ago. In a Mastodon post, Segerman explained:
“I finally got a couple of my 3D printed designs up and available to buy again, this time through i.materialise.com.”
The 3D model for the Stereographic Projection is not available, but instead Segerman sells prints of it via i.Materialise. The item is printed in white nylon, and is priced at €83.64 (US$88).
Via i.Materialise
