Dual-Perspective 3D Sculpture: Final Report – Part 2

Project Timeline

This section documents the full journey from idea to final artifact. It outlines the actual design process through a week-by-week timeline, describes how the sculptures were modeled, fabricated, and assembled, and ends with a reflection comparing the original vision with the final outcome. While function played a role, the focus remained on aesthetics, illusion, and clean visual transitions.

Timeline & Progress Plan

Detailed Fabrication & Modeling Process

1. Base System Design

To ensure flexibility and ease of presentation, I first designed a universal motor base:

• The motor shaft holds a permanently attached steel pin, which is the connection point for every sculpture.

• Each sculpture has a custom insert that slides onto this pin, making switching between designs easy.

• The motor is enclosed in a 3D-printed cylindrical housing with a separate cover that hides wiring and supports the sculpture.

This design allows for a modular display, where sculptures can be swapped without disassembling the mechanism.

 

2. Dual-Perspective CAD Modeling

Each sculpture was modeled in SolidWorks:

• Imported two perpendicular silhouettes—e.g., sad and smiley face.

• Created extrusion paths and used Lofted Boss/Base to morph one shape into the other across 90 degrees.

• Used Boolean trimming and filleting to enhance form clarity.

• Key challenge: maintaining recognizable forms while ensuring physical manufacturability (especially overhangs and bridge areas).

3. 3D Printing

• Material: White PLA, chosen for visual neutrality and clean edge contrast.

• Printer settings: 0.2 mm layer height, 15% infill, support enabled.

• Minimal post-processing: slight sanding of edges to smooth out transitions but kept the raw material finish.

Two sculptures were printed:

• Sad ↔ Smiley Face (simplified emotional duality)

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• Batman ↔ Superman Logos (cultural identity flip)

4. Motor Integration

The DC gear motor (1 RPM) was mounted inside the 3D-printed base:

• A metal pin was epoxied into the shaft and used as the universal connection point.

• The sculpture was designed with an internal hole that fits tightly onto the pin—secure, but removable.

• This setup creates a seamless continuous rotation, revealing the shift between the two perspectives.

5. Testing & Adjustment

After assembly:

• The motion was tested to verify balance and legibility of both views at slow speeds.

• No vibration or mechanical distortion was present.

• I iteratively tweaked sculpture wall thickness and pin tolerances for a snug fit.

6. Documentation & Final Prep

• Rotating display shots showing transition zones

• Annotated renderings and exploded CAD diagram

Conclusion: Aesthetic Reflection & Lessons Learned

From Plan to Reality

Initially, I planned to make just one illusion piece. In the end, I created a rotating, modular platform and multiple dual-view sculptures. The final product exceeded my expectations both in visual strength and object presence.

The clean finish, crisp geometry, and slow, meditative rotation align beautifully with the aesthetic I envisioned:
“Clean Geometric Duality”—where form is both static and in flux, minimal yet complex.

What I Would Do Differently

• Color Contrast: Though I kept to monochrome, a duotone (e.g., black + white) could have further enhanced legibility. Or a different color base making it separate from the sculpture itself.

• Physical Prototyping Earlier: Quick foam-core mockups might’ve helped refine silhouette compatibility before CAD.

• More Sculpture Pairs: Given how smooth the process became, I wish I had time to make 3–4 variations instead of just 2.

What Happens Next

• The sculpture and motor base will be shown at our final studio showcase.

• Long-term, I hope to expand this into a collection of dual-view objects—each one revealing something surprising, playful, or poetic.