3D Spirographs
An exploration of spirograph curves extended into three dimensions, with Richard Grimes
A 2D spirograph traces what happens when one circle rolls inside or around another. The parametric form — sums of rotating circles — extends naturally to three dimensions: place circles on cube faces, stack them at perpendicular angles, or replace the base circle with a torus. A toral spirograph moves a circle around the surface of a torus, tracing curves that wind through and around the tube simultaneously.
The 3D curves were modelled and rendered in Blender with LuxRender. Richard Grimes then fabricated a physical version using a Zcorp stereolithography printer — making the curves tangible in a way that the screen rendering cannot quite achieve.