Imageneration and Platonic Solids

[imagenerator]

So, for a while I have been developing a set of libraries to allow me to generate vector graphics from computer programs, more specifically, python scripts. My overarching goal in all of this is to make these libraries and this mode of image generation accessible to those who don't have previous programming experience, so that it may be an educational, illustrative, and artistic tool. Some of my generations are on the deviantart account I have established (http://imagenerator.deviantart.com). Much like this website, I feel like the stuff is only the tip of the iceberg. I hope to be drawing some tips from fellow magickians on what/how they might find something like this useful once I have the code and documentation up on the web. But for now, here's a sample one of my most recent "deviation", which is to become the face of a dodecahedron.

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs14/i/2007/054/f/8/Platonic_Spirit_by_imagenerator.jpg


I have set my sights on constructing faces for all of the Platonic Solids and building them in real space using corrugated plastic on which political campaign signs are printed. Thoughts ? Let me know if you have a deviantart account. I highly reccommend the site for featuring your art. You can upload source files (in my case .svg files), and there's some nice community elements to it, which I haven't yet engaged with much. Also, you can easily apply a Creative Commons (http://creativecommons.org) license to your works to "Free" them up to a certain degree.

[Naomi]

That is cool looking, I like the bright colors especially. I don't use too much of those in my own work and I always admired them. SUch as that found in the work of Fizzgig - who is actually making a name for himself nowadays, if I recall...

http://fizzgig.deviantart.com/

Added you to my watch list...Deviantart is next to the last gallery I update...GFX being my last place to visit, I like conceptart.org more but their gallery upload is too buggy to even use.

I liked the Saturn forming image, how did you formulate it?

[Anibis]

That's a great image... I really like how your stuff is progressing... I check it from time to time...
-Ibisis

[imagenerator]

That fizzgig's got some neato stuff.

On the Saturn Forming front, you can understand how it was made by picking it apart. You can do so by downloading the .svg file and using an vector illustration program (a Free one being Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org) ) to ungroup and ungroup and ungroup the pieces. When you get to the bottom of it, the final clue, count from 1 to 9 as in the Lo Shu.

Thanks for connecting, I'll do the same.


That is cool looking, I like the bright colors especially. I don't use too much of those in my own work and I always admired them. SUch as that found in the work of Fizzgig - who is actually making a name for himself nowadays, if I recall...

http://fizzgig.deviantart.com/

Added you to my watch list...Deviantart is next to the last gallery I update...GFX being my last place to visit, I like conceptart.org more but their gallery upload is too buggy to even use.

I liked the Saturn forming image, how did you formulate it?

[imagenerator]

Thanks. I just hope I can keep it up and running .... Persistance furthers

That's a great image... I really like how your stuff is progressing... I check it from time to time...
-Ibisis

[Talkingfox]

Great image...I really like the use of the complimentary contrasts...makes the thing positively pulse.

[Amur]

Generally I don't like neonic and bright colors that much but in that image it feels great. Have you thought about learning OpenGL? It's not that hard in the end with a little programming skills and there are lots of good tutorials out there. You even get the new Visual C# for free from microsoft. So it's quite straightforward to learn.

[imagenerator]

I have considered learning OpenGL, but right now I am limiting myself to 2D projections. If I ever move to the 3D realm, Blender may be a good start, as they have python plugins.

Concerning Visual C#: I am also limiting myself to the use of Free Software for ideological reasons. Maybe I can find a way to relate my beliefs on Freedom of culture and information to the magickal domain one day...

Generally I don't like neonic and bright colors that much but in that image it feels great. Have you thought about learning OpenGL? It's not that hard in the end with a little programming skills and there are lots of good tutorials out there. You even get the new Visual C# for free from microsoft. So it's quite straightforward to learn.

[imagenerator]

I've heard several comments about colour use. Would anyone care to suggest resources on colours and magickal symbolism ? Particularly, I was leaning towards using a dichromatic color scheme for the 5 solids, but I find myself really stumped on how to make that work. I am aiming for something bright and shiny. Part of the aim here is to enchant dance floors. It occured to me yesterday that I might want to print these on acetates and bind them to frosted plexiglass, putting some lights in the centre of the figures.

[Anibis]

I think Dragon is your man for dance floor sorcery... The Golden dawn has it's 'scales of color', and the like... which you could use (as found in 777, or in 'the magician's handbook' by what's-his-name... you know the book...) Or, you could just look at the color wheel... it should be easy to find. Just remember that the primaries are different with Pigment (red, yellow, blue), than with Light (red yellow green)... In the end, I'm a big fan of just doing what feels right, as far as color is concerned, and not really putting too much analysis into it...
-Ibisis

[imagenerator]

I think Dragon is your man for dance floor sorcery... The Golden dawn has it's 'scales of color', and the like... which you could use (as found in 777, or in 'the magician's handbook' by what's-his-name... you know the book...) Or, you could just look at the color wheel... it should be easy to find. Just remember that the primaries are different with Pigment (red, yellow, blue), than with Light (red yellow green)... In the end, I'm a big fan of just doing what feels right, as far as color is concerned, and not really putting too much analysis into it...
-Ibisis

Good note Anibis, I caught myself overthinking this one, and quickly settled on something that works with the colors of the four worlds as used here where, as I understand

fire = red
water = blue
air = green
earth = yellow

and I chose spirit to be purple. I have not seen this color attribution before but I trust it was chosen wisely. I'm wondering the source it derives from if any.

I then end up with 5 pairs of colors that would be beside themselves if placed on a wheel, so that I get (purple, yellow), (red, purple), (blue, red), (green, blue), and (yellow, green). These are the color gradients I will use for the figures.

I uploaded a draft of Platonic Fire (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/50806115/), to my gallery, as can be seen here:

http://ic1.deviantart.com/fs15/i/2007/072/9/b/Platonic_Fire_by_imagenerator.png


I changed the red to a more magenta-like tone for brightness.

[MythMath]

I like the 3D construction idea...

How big will these guys be...?

Perhaps you could print your images on clear adhesive
labels and then apply them to the plexiglas surface...

Plex is more difficult to work with than your original
idea for translucent panels (corrugated plasti-board)...

I think that white panels of that material would
pass enough diffused light to be effective...

It sure would be a lot easier to cut and
assemble; much less weight, too...

They'll make groovy mood lamps... :yes:

[imagenerator]

I like the 3D construction idea...

How big will these guys be...?

Perhaps you could print your images on clear adhesive
labels and then apply them to the plexiglas surface...

Plex is more difficult to work with than your original
idea for translucent panels (corrugated plasti-board)...

I think that white panels of that material would
pass enough diffused light to be effective...

It sure would be a lot easier to cut and
assemble; much less weight, too...

They'll make groovy mood lamps... :yes:

I think we're reading minds here, because I thought of the exact same thing with plexiglass and transparencies with lights. Particularly, it would be nice to use a frosted plexigrass if such a thing exists, so that you don't see the lightbulb in the middle.

[MythMath]

Frosted plexi is available...

But at least check out the corrugated stuff
for cost, weight, ease of construction... ;)

BTW, those new flourescent screw-in 'bulbs' offer
a bright incandescent-ish glow, but no heat...