Archimedean Solids

CAD programs for geometric art, design, mandalas, etc.

Monday, 17 September 2012 by Bruce Rawles

I recently received this inquiry: “Please suggest a suitable CAD software that I can use to create my own sacred geometry designs. Thanks!” I thought the question was general enough to post a reply as a blog post.

Over the years, I have used a handful of CAD programs. Sacred Geometry Design Sourcebook was made using mostly ClarisCAD (a now obsolete MacOS program) with a little bit of PhotoShop (front cover and adjusting Nancy’s illustration of a sphere), Excel (for the tables in the back) and a stereogram app (GraphX, I think it was) for the stereogram in the back of the book. If was to do that book over, I’d definitely consider using Adobe Illustrator or a similar app.

The few illustrations in the 2nd book The Geometry Code: Universal Symbolic Mirrors of Natural Laws Within Us; Friendly Reminders of Inclusion to Forgive the Dreamer of Separation were done using Adobe Illustrator and PhotoShop primarily, with the cover artwork also incorporating a ray-traced mandala made with POVray. POVray for the Mac has been updated in recent years by MegaPOV.

The GeometryCode.com website has incorporated artwork from all these and more, when one includes imagery and animation from other artists. Among the most notable of these contributions are some superb animations done by Dave Van Dyke of Z-axis Graphics, using 3DStudioMax (Windows only).

In general, I prefer using a vector art program for making mandalas, logos and line art that can be scaled to any resolution, such as Adobe Illustrator.
Once the line art has been fine tuned, it can be imported into PhotoShop (or other raster/bit-map oriented applications) for adjustment, sizing, etc. and adding other graphics elements and details.

The ability to step and repeat in x and y axes (translation) is a key ability for making tessellations, grids and tiling patterns.
The ability to step and repeat around a point by a specified angle (rotation) is a key ability for making mandalas.
The ability to step and repeat scaled copies by a specified percentage (scaling) is a key ability for making fractals.
(Adobe) Illustrator does all these, and there are other programs that do this as well. There are too many graphics programs to mentions, but these are some of the ones I’ve used.

Class: Universal Symbolic Mirrors of Natural Laws: Denver, CO Nov 5, 2012

Thursday, 13 September 2012 by Bruce Rawles

I’ll be giving a class/multimedia presentation titled “Universal Symbolic Mirrors of Natural Laws Within Us; Friendly Reminders of Inclusion to Forgive the Dreamer of Separation” from 7-9PM on Monday, November 5, 2012 at Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore, 2178 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80222. I will share LOTS of visual multimedia imagery, animation and more, along with plenty of theory on the mystical underpinnings of sacred geometry, the seven ancient Hermetic laws of truth, take-home lessons from modern physics, and how the non-dual metaphysics of inclusion, kindness and forgiving our self-judgments is key to sustainable happiness! :-) There will be a book-signing after the class; both of my books, Sacred Geometry Design Sourcebook and The Geometry Code, are available from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore. Space is limited to 20 participants, so please contact me ASAP if you’re interested and want to pre-register.

Here is a full resolution printable flyer for the event.

Calendars 35% off from Lulu through July 22, 2012

Friday, 20 July 2012 by Bruce Rawles

If you want a jump on getting a calendar for 2013, Lulu is offering 35% off on all calendars and photo books through July 22, 2012. Just use code “EXPOSURE” when ordering. I just updated the Solar System Geometries per Martineau” calendar for 2013 … Check it out! :-)

Hands-on sacred geometry workshop July 28, 2012 in Palo Alto, CA

Tuesday, 10 July 2012 by Bruce Rawles

I’m giving a day-long, hands-on* sacred geometry workshop on Saturday, July 28, 2012, from 10AM-4PM, at Integrated Healing Arts, 4153 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA (NOTE NEW VENUE!), sponsored by the Foundation for Mind-Being Research (FMBR). The workshop follows an introductory talk for FMBR the previous (Friday) evening Unity Community Church, in the Y.E.S. room, 3391 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA at 7:00 PM.) Cost is on a sliding scale from $25-$75 based on need. Pre-registration is required. There is always plenty of opportunity for individual Q&A, and exploring favorite geometries (and their metaphysical foundations) in an informal atmosphere. Please contact Bruce via GeometryCode.com to register. I’m always happy to phone or Skype with even more details. Please bring a geometer’s compass, straight-edge, scissors and cellophane tape; I will supply 2D and 3D handouts including platonic solid fold-up patterns, plus LOTS of visual multimedia imagery, animation and more, along with plenty of theory on the mystical underpinnings of sacred geometry! :-) To familiarize yourself with related material on the subject, you might want to explore titles in this collection: the GeometryCode Amazon aStore. Here is a full resolution printable flyer for the event.

Question from a form submission:

Q. I am a bit curious about geometry and was wondering if the workshop would be an appropriate place to learn more.
A. Definitely! I’ll be doing (and teaching) lots of hands-on demos of the classic Geometric constructions with compass and straightedge that folks like DaVinci, Plato, Pythagoras and more would likely have done, as well as LOTS of multimedia (books, animations, videos, stereograms, and more) demonstrating geometric principles that rarely (if ever) get covered in ordinary school curricula, blended with the mystical symbolism that the masters of both contemporary and ancient times revered and pondered. I have a flyer here that gives more examples and details, but feel free to ask me to cover specific topics since with a small group it’s easy to tailor it to the needs of those attending. Thanks for asking! :-) Please let me know ASAP if you’re interested and want to pre-register; also if you’d like an online class, let me know that too! :-)

Lulu 18% discount on SGDS July 9-13, 2012

Monday, 9 July 2012 by Bruce Rawles

Sacred Geometry Design Sourcebook – Universal Dimensional Patterns by Bruce Rawles is a resource and reference book with over 1300 geometric designs for kids of any age (makes a fabulous coloring book), educators, home-schoolers, mandala and mosaic artists, quilters, stained glass artisans, hobbyists, Origami crafters, 3D model makers (an extensive collection of polyhedra designs and fold-up patterns), tiling designers, landscapers, architects, or anyone that is curious about mystical and universal geometric patterns. Here are more details about this popular collection of geometric patterns based on the principle of interconnectedness … and so much more.

If you’ve been meaning to get a copy (or another as a gift or to share) of Sacred Geometry Design SourceBook (SGDS), visit the Lulu.com home page this week, note the savings code, then visit the SGDS page there. Order as many copies you like (including any other Lulu.com titles), and use the promotion code when you check out. If you are reading this after July 13, 2012, check back regularly, since they have a variety of promotions throughout the year.