Mobius strip design

dder35 · 19 Jan 2012, 08:19

Hi !

I have 3D design homework and I need some help because I just can't imagine how to make it.
I use SU version 8.
There are 3 points around mobius strip :

make a circle mobius strip : I succeeded this one, just before I found a tutorial to do it : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPrfmM0tODk
make a flat mobius strip : I cannot do it !
make a flat mobius strip, with inner ovoid shape for the strip : OK, I will probably skip this one

Concerning point 2, in fact if you need to represent it, it grossly looks like the visual studio logo :

So if you can suggest some ideas on how you will design something like that, it will be great !
I tried to cut it in 4 parts and process by symmetry but it leads me nowhere.
Thanks,

TIG · 19 Jan 2012, 09:40

You can do the circular Möbius strip - just like in the tutorial video.
It is not possible to make a 'flat' Möbius strip, because if it is completely 'flat' some of its geometry will intersect with itself and cut it, making it into something that is NO LONGER a Möbius strip. BUT... you can take a copy of the Möbius strip made in step 1) and Scale it vertically using its top-center handle, keep Scaling it by 0.1 steps until it is 'almost' flat [or try a one off, typing in 1mm to make it only 1mm high!] - that will still be a Möbius strip - 'and it is almost flat'; use Undo if the Scaling makes it so flat that it starts to intersect with itself and destroys its own Möbius-ness...
Take a copy of the Möbius strip made in step 1) and use Scale on it, holding Ctrl to scale about the center, pull an end [or push a side] until the circular form becomes elliptical - I suspect that is what an 'ovoid shape' is considered to be [egg-like]...

dder35 · 19 Jan 2012, 10:00

Thanks TIG,
I am going to try it, and I keep you updated !

dder35 · 19 Jan 2012, 10:39

Hi TIG,

I can change the global circle shape to an egg one, but I cannot make it looks like the attached picture.
I must admit I just don't understand what I can do to change the mobius1.skp into something which looks like the Visual Studio logo !
I gonna keep on trying !

SU project for mobius point 1
SU project for mobius point 2 try

Dave R · 19 Jan 2012, 10:58

Your attached files don't show Möbius strips. there's no twist in your surface as shown in the video.

As to the "flat" image, if that's what you want, why not just draw it flat from the get go? It isn't a Möbius strip, it's just a flat representation of one. Is your homework to create a 3D strip or just a flat drawing that looks 3D?

TIG · 19 Jan 2012, 11:39

Try this way...

dder35 · 19 Jan 2012, 11:47

Hi Dave,

Yes you are right, my file mobius1 was incorrect. I fixed it, doing the tutorial again.
Concerning the "flat representation", in my opinion it is still a 3D mobius strip.
For example, if you take a band of paper and make a mobius strip, then it looks like the mobius1 project.
But, if you pinch it between your fingers, then it looks like more "flat" comparing to the circle one. It looks like an "8" or the Visual Studio logo but it is still a 3D shape.
That's this 3D shape I need to build, ie. a "pinched with your finger" mobius strip" and not the flatten image built from this 3D object

Correct mobius 1 (hopefully)

Thanks for your remarks,

dder35 · 19 Jan 2012, 11:53

Thanks TIG !

I was pretty sure it was something like that cutting in four parts and linking after.
But wow, it is really mind gymnastics to me ! I try that
Thanks again.

brookefox · 3 Apr 2012, 21:06

I stumbled here looking for the subject and went through the various tuts. My method derived from TIG's, but varies (TIG left, mine right).

I just happened to erase the faces of one of my strips and see that the edges remaining are 8 arcs! Surprised me, anyway. Someone can do something with that, I'm sure.