A Physical Model

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Nancy Cheng

This GIF animation was made in Photoshop (a first for me).  The model is also set up to test bounced color at the entry (far end).

I’ve had some trouble casting hard shadows with organic shapes (landscaping).  I think I figured out the problem.  The light source can’t be so big and close that it is able to cast light behind the object (see diagram below).

The first three pictures show a progression of shrinking an aperture on my desk lamp.  The images get darker, but the shadows of the tree get sharper.  Another method would be to have a high lumens source farther away (e.g. the sun).

IMGP4889
IMGP4890
IMGP4891
IMG_20120421_214327
Model-Sun-Movement

About Nancy Cheng

Univ. of Oregon Architecture Department head Nancy Yen-wen Cheng, RA, LEED AP researches how design tools and approaches shape outcomes, with a specialization in how craft and computation can stimulate the creative process. She has developed expertise in manipulating sheet materials to create light-modulating structures and has researched how surface relief patterns can increase convective cooling. She has developed fold and slot joints that give structural rigidity to foldable sheet structures and is eager to apply them to rapidly deployable refugee shelters.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.