Mixed Matters

sectional patterns. The result is a completely hybrid approach—one that is
inherently intuitive if familiar with the underlying concepts, yet unique to
both modelling paradigms.
Similarly, another hybrid approach can be seen in the volumetric interpolation
between weighted control points. In 2D image editing applications, the
technique of blending continuously between two known color values (i.e.
gradient) is very common. In 3D CAD modeling, you can edit the weights of
the control points of a spline to control the shape of the curve—effectively
creating a weighted interpolation between the points. While both techniques
are unique to their respective modelling paradigm, we can combine them in
Monolith to create a hybrid approach to volumetric interpolation. Each 3D
grid point, illustrated in figure 5, can be modified interactively to change the
density of that voxel location. Interstitial material is then blended between
the grid points using various interpolation methods, each of which can have
a dramatic impact on the resulting voxel image.
Figure 5: Volumetric grid interpolation using [left] Cubic, [middle] Nearest Neighbor, and [right] Cosine blending
methods.
Designing Hierarchical Material [3D Typography]
Hierarchical materials are characterised by mesoscopic structures that can
be highly anisotropic and therefore endow the material with highly controlled
and possibly localised optical and elastic properties. By varying the geometry
of the mesoscopic pattern we can control the macroscopic characteristics
of the material. This implies a new design paradigm, where design
considerations do not have to stop at the selection of an industrial material
from a catalogue but may go all the way down to the scale of micro patterns.
In this sense, detail design becomes a question of the designer traversing
the scale from the microscopic to the macroscopic.
Monolith's approach to the design of hierarchical materials is loosely based
on typographic techniques extended to three dimensions like dithering, halftoning
and engraving. The voxel image contains a material mixing channel.
35 Monolith. Continuity and Differentiation within Volumetric Models