There's a 3D graphing application for TI-83+ series calculators [1] and an easter egg was that it could plot the head of a duck. [2] (it had the equations for the surfaces in the code somewhere, presumably.)<p>The first thing that came to my mind when I saw that you can upload an equation on this site is, 'I wonder what the equation is for a duck?'<p>[1] <a href="https://www.detachedsolutions.com/graph3/" rel="nofollow">https://www.detachedsolutions.com/graph3/</a><p>[2] <a href="https://www.detachedsolutions.com/features/graph3-3.gif" rel="nofollow">https://www.detachedsolutions.com/features/graph3-3.gif</a>
I did this for a bathymetric map, but I it was hard to get the resolution I wanted, I used a laser cutter that was too small, so someone just exported the model and showed me it in AR which actually was a better experience. So this works well for small projects, but it gets insanely work intensive to do for larger projects.
This reminds me of Graphica Obscura - Paper and Plotter: A 3D Surface (1977). <a href="http://graficaobscura.com/surf/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://graficaobscura.com/surf/index.html</a>
This is super cool! One suggestion I have is to try to optimize the arrangement of the cut-outs to use the paper more efficiently. In some cases I think up to 2x the cut-outs could fit on a page.<p>You may also want to consider trying to arrange the cut-outs so that the flat edge aligns with the flat edge of the page. Might result in less cutting for the user.
Nice! This reminded me of when a friend showed me his collection of early 20th century paper theatre dioramas.
Fascinating stuff.<p>I think I'll try to create an actual set-design using the generator/plotter.<p>Thanks for sharing this!