DaVinci-O-Matic Makes Anything Exciting and Interesting
by whitbysolo in Workshop > Laser Cutting
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DaVinci-O-Matic Makes Anything Exciting and Interesting
Make anything more interesting and exciting with the DaVinci-O-Matic.
Vetruvian Man Is Everywhere
The classic guy/gal in the circle/square is EVERYWHERE.
Now you can get yourself in the picture, or any object you choose.
What You Need
Laser cutter, wood, and CAD software
or
1/2" by 1/4" steel bar stock, and 1/4" square steel stock and a metal shop
or
Pipe cleaners
The Secret to the DaVinci-O-Matic...
Is the relationship between the circle in the square.
The SQUARE shows how a person's height is about the same as their wingspan.
The CIRCLE is centered on a person's bellybutton.
Here is the interesting bit,
If you divide your height by the distance from the floor to your belly button, you will get a ratio about of about 1.618 which is just about the GOLDEN RATIO 1.618033...
So the radius of the circle is a Golden Ratio proportion to the side of the square.
But all you need to know is this:
- Make your circle first, regardless of the material.
- Measure the diameter, then divide by 2 for the radius.
- Multiply the radius by 1.618 to get the side length you need for the square.
For Example With Pipe Cleaners
Make a circle any size with pipe cleaner.
- Measure the diameter - here it is 8.5 cm.
- Divide in half to get the radius, 4.25 cm.
- Multiply by 1.618 to get about 6.9 cm for the side of the square.
(Notice you can make the square first, then divide the side length by 1.618 to get the radius, BUT with most materials it's much tricker to make a circle of a certain radius than the side of a square. And nobody likes division.)
Make Pieces to Laser Cut
Use a CAD program to design your own DaVinci-O-Matic.
Just chose 6.18 inches to be the radius, and the side of the square will be 10 inches.
I am using Zotebook to to design this.
Laser Cut and Assemble
I just use a dab of glue.
You can make this all one piece, but it has more depth as 2 pieces.
Ready for Action
The DaVinci-O-Matic is ready for action.
To DaVinci-O-Matic-ify your friends, hold the device and ask your friend to stand back until you can see them in the square. You will need to get low for best results. You will want to center the camera on the belly button.
- Take one photo with arms and feet straight.
- Then another with arms and feet outstretched.
Also, now anything you photograph thru the DaVinci-O-Matic will look interesting and important, even this rice cooker.
If You Have a Blacksmith Shop in Your Backyard...
You can make a version in steel as yard art.
Again, roll the circle first, then make the square, and weld together.
Or a Terrific Exhibit for Your Math Park.
This is Geometry Point at Romero Park, Lafayette Colorado.
For best results, the camera should be lower than you expect, centered on the belly button.
How Did I Design the DaVinci-O-Matic?
Geometry Point needed a Vetruvian exhibit that would work for ALL size visitors.
I found a museum exhibit that used various sized squares and circles on a wall, but the exhibit doesn't capture the feel of the classic design or make the user feel a part of it.
For my own design, I started off designing a large scale circle and square, and imagined a ramp, and scaled positioning...
The design was getting complicated when I realized I could just make a simple square/circle device and visitors could just position themselves.
And the DaVinci-O-Matic was born!
Enjoy.
For More Information:
The Vetruvian Man:
Geometry Point Lafayette:
https://www.facebook.com/Geometry-Point-9827540051...
Request custom yard art from: