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Software
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Rhinoceros
3D CAD modeling software for Windows. This is my main workplace:
in addition to good NURBS modeling capability, it has strong
scripting support which allows it to interface easily with other
software. It has a free demo and an invaluable support
newsgroup.
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Surface
Evolver
Freeware for studying and creating minimal
surfaces, relaxing knots, and many other things that are over my
mathematical head. Also very useful for conditioning meshes.
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Qhull
Mathematical freeware for computing convex hulls and Voronoi
networks. Again, much of what this does goes way over my head;
but I can report that the parts which I can understand work well.
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Protein
Explorer
Nice freeware for 3D viewing of proteins and other
large molecules.
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Kinemage
Another free protein viewer, which writes files in a useful well-defined format.
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Mathematica
Needs no
introduction, but I want to mention that it has the ability to write
meshes compatible with 3D printing. Much could be done with this.
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Chaoscope
Ineffably gorgeous strange attractors.
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Rendering
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Maxwell
A renderer
that's intended to work by simulating the physical properties of
light. It has settings like a physical camera, and specifies
materials by their optical properties, which makes it a more
real-world-related experience than Renderman-based tools. I find
it easier to use. It's also very slow and development proceeds
unevenly, so use caution. |
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Rhinoman
A free Renderman plug-in for Rhinoceros. Three cheers for Brian!
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AIR
A
very powerful renderer at a bargain price. AIR is
Renderman-based and has a steep learning curve – too steep
for me. |
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3Delight
A
freeware Renderman renderer. Put it together with Rhinoman,
and you're looking at a lot of renderosity for no money. Again not simple to use.
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3D Printing
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Prometal, a unit of Ex One
Direct metal 3D printing. I do most of my sculpture with this
process, and the accuracy, freedom and strength of these parts is
excellent. This is mainly an industrial/wholesale company, so not the perfect place to get started with just a few models.
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Scicon Technologies
This service bureau also has metal 3D printing, by the 3D Systems SLS process. Part quality is very good, and this company may be more friendly to short runs and one-offs. |
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Ionic Models
A good deal for plaster (ZCorp) models, and a great place to get started
with RP.
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3D Art to
Part
A plaster (ZCorp) service bureau. Generic service, great prices.
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3DFactoryUSA (Cad
Blu)
A jewelry-oriented service bureau: small
high-resolution models on the Viper and Invision HR machines, with the
option of precious-metal casting for Invision models. I've seen
variable quality; I think they may use several
foundries which are not all equally good.
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American Precision
Prototyping
Beautiful stereolithography parts, and the pricing is reasonable.
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Rapid Prototyping Resources
The Worldwide Rapid
Prototyping Directory
The indispensable guide to the
industry. The directory of service bureaus alone is worth the
trip.
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Computer
Sculpture
A sculpture-oriented site with much information about
milling and other CAD/CAM sculpture methods. Also sells many
types of equipment, and is a good discount source for Rhinoceros.
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The Rapid Prototyping Mailing
List
This industry mailing list used to be indispensable,
but was killed by the owner's refusal to control spam on it; this was
finally solved but too late for most members. The list still
exists but is now very low-traffic. It does searchable archives.
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Sculpture Sources
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C.A. Brown
A foundry
pouring bronze, aluminum, silver, gold, and doing moldmaking at
jewelry to medium sizes. Steve does great work at great prices,
and is very experienced with burning out ZCorp patterns. He's
cast hundreds of pieces for me.
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Treasures
Mike Barajas, a full-service jeweler of great resource and technical prowess in Scotts Valley, CA.
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M5 Industries
Special effects for feature films, commercials, and anything else you need them for, both CG and real-world. Industrial prototypes also a specialty. The Mythbusters guys work here when they're not on TV.
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Laser Glass
Laser Crystal Awards
High-end laser etching, featuring the most
advanced laser machines in the US. 2D photos or 3D
designs, quantities one to thousands, they can do it.
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Art & Geometry
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ISAMA
Nat
Friedman's brainchild, the International Society for the Arts,
Mathematics, and Architecture. Runs an annual conference, and
has lots of good math/art links.
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Bridges Conference
Another art/math conference.
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The Geometry Junkyard
Coming from the math side, more links than you can shake a
tetrahedron at.
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Mathematical Sciences Research
Institute
This is a strangely organized site – find
things in it using Google, not its own search engine – but
there's an awful lot of math information hidden in it.
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Mathpuzzle
If you like math puzzles, this is where they are.
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Puzzle World
A deep site about mechanical puzzles: theory, practice and sources.
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Pacific Puzzle Works
Puzzle World is no longer receiving updates, and its data will eventually be transferred here.
For now, go there to view Lee Krasnow's world-famous wooden box puzzles.
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Artists
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George Hart
Excellent mathematical sculptor – the reigning Prince of Polyhedra – and his site has many mansions.
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Reinmuth Bronze
Studio
An artist for the ages. It seems petty to
mention it, but he's also an extraordinary technician, doing all his own casting.
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Brent Collins
Awe-inspiring mathematical woodcarver.
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Bjarne Jespersen
His brain is the complement of my brain.
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The Pain – When Will It End?
Buy Tim Kreider's books. There's no better value in genius per dollar.
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This is by no means an exhaustive list of mathematical artists, or
even of my favorite artists. I hope you won't be offended if you are
one and are not listed here. There are so many noteworthy people
in this field that I can't possibly take on the job of listing
everyone; I've just put a few here whose sites are exceptionally
useful or hard to find. You'll find many more artist links in
the Art & Geometry resources above.
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