Escher Print

Make a physical Escher print by cutting different parts of a tessellation in different materials.

Step 1: Get image

Get a digital copy of your favorite tessellation either by scanning a paper copy of searching the web.

I chose reptiles.

Comments

[repguy2020]

Beautiful work. Not exactly a print, not quite a sculpture, not stained glass, but an art form unto itself. I'm glad I found it, though I can never hope to make one remotely like it. Simply wicked!

[stasterisk]

How do you get OMAX to cut non-closed polygons?

[ewilhelm]

You have to manually set the lead-in and lead-out lines. I think I cut all of those first -- having put them on a separate layer and cutting job, -- and set the kerf on the machine to zero so it would cut in the center of the lines.

[T3h_Muffinator]

That's incredible! I wish I had a laser cutter now........

[gowithflo]

Shut UP! That is awesome. OK I have a thought, if you only cut one, and you had three colors of spray paint you could make some ferocious stencil art by spraying once, rotating, changing color, spray, rotate, change.... am i right? Can you imagine how disorienting it would be to walk on a whole sidewalk covered in this?

[IIIIIIIII]

wow! too much cutting needs patience

[zachninme]

You use a laser cutter ;-)

[lazinet]

Cool design really, funny & gorgeous, must be a great decor at home, but seems a bit fragile.

[ewilhelm]

I am careful with it, but I'm also careful with all the rest of the art hanging around the house. It's not super fragile or anything.

[Zombie Stomp]

This is a great idea. What kind of class are you taking, or where do you work that allows you acess to such equipment? And what kind of equipment is it? I saw you used an "abrasive jet" to cut the aluminum. I am in a wlding class that has a plasma cutter, but nowhere near anything with that kind of precision. Care to lead me to some more info on the tools?

[ewilhelm]

I used the abrasive jet machining center from Omax while still at the MIT Media lab. The acrylic is all cut with a laser cutter (also at the Media Lab, but we have one at Squid Labs too). These tools are becoming more common and you can probably find a shop nearby to do it.

[Sk8rDuck]

dude, That is so awesome!

[Christophera]

it does require CAM does it?

[Christophera]

it does require CAM does it?

[thoughtstorms]

Very nice. I have an original tessellation i've been wanting to do this with - but so far no luck. Mine has the same form in six different colours, and i'd love to use wood, copper, marble, glass, alabaster and ceramic. I will keep at it - and this was helpful material!