Coding the Heritage: Rose Window of Valvisciolo Abbey
Introduction: Coding the Heritage: Rose Window of Valvisciolo Abbey
Have you ever stood in a vast cathedral or church, and looked up at a large circular stained glass window dominating one of the walls? Did you know it was called a rose window?
Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window but is especially used for those found in Gothic cathedrals and churches. This type of window is called a rose window or a wheel window to refer to the fact that it's made of a series of smaller windows radiating out from the center like wheel spokes or flower petals. The rose window is one of the most representative elements of Gothic art and architecture. Their symbolism lies in geometry and the sense that many parts make a whole. When we study them, we begin to realize that these windows are made of geometric shapes. Whatever the style of window, all of the elements come together in a single cohesive design, the real and symbolic whole
In this project, we will use Codeblocks and develop algorithms for the typical geometries of architecture and make a rose window, a characteristic element of medieval architecture. (.STL file attached)
Recommended grades: 6-8
Estimated time: 60 minutes
Skills explored: Identifying the basic solids that make up the object and creating a computer program using variables for control points and count-controlled loops.
Supplies
* Computer
* Internet
* 3D software (Tinkercad)
* Computer mice, 3D printer, and filaments for printing(optional)
Step 1: Know Your Tool: Tinkercad Codeblocks
Tinkercad is a free, kid-friendly online computer-aided design (CAD) program where users can design, modify, and print 3D objects. Tinkercad offers“Codeblocks”: a section of the site dedicated to the production of complex solids through programming with code blocks.
Using Codesblocks users can create a sequence of instructions that will lead to the creation of output. The instructions are contained in colored blocks that can be dragged onto the main screen and inserted in a logical order just as if they were bricks. 974
It is characterized by a limited number of solids (primitives) that can be used to compose a more complex object. Codeblocks combine coding with 3D modeling and are great to educate kids in computational thinking and introduce the concept of algorithms.
Codeblocks expands the functionality of Tinkercad by introducing procedural modeling. Procedural modeling is a type of 3D drawing that automatically or semi-automatically generates a geometry, based on a program script (in this case blocks of code) defined by the user.
The Codeblocks Interface:
* Sign in to your"Tinkercad"account.
* Click on the“Codeblocks” item in the left menu of the Dashboard.
* Click on the "Create New Codeblock" button to access the Codeblocks Workspace.
The main sections of the workspace are as follows:
1. Name of the project: In the upper left part of your screen you can see a random software-generated name. To change the name of the project, simply click with the left mouse button on the temporary name, type in the new desired name, and press the Enter key on the keyboard.
2. Menu bar: this horizontal menu at the top contains buttons we need to run our code.
3. Block categories: located on the left, this vertical column is divided into categories to facilitate searches of the blocks.
4. Block library: is located in the left column and contains all the instruction blocks that can be inserted into the working area.
5. Working area: It is the space where the user will create the instructions that will make up the solids by “pulling” or “dragging” blocks from the block library
6. 3D preview: enable the user to see the preview of the solid constructed through the instructions you entered.
Step 2: Identification and Measurement
Identifying the Geometric Elements:
We will start with a simplified version of a rose window and try to identify the basic solids that make up the rose window on the facade of Valvisciolo Abbey.
We can easily identify seven solids :
* Central core: the central core is made up of 4 cylinders, with the base pointing towards you.
* Column: are made up of 12 cylinders all of which are arranged longitudinally.
* Arch: 12 arches connect the capitals of the columns remain.
* The Inner core, Outer core, Inner shell, and Outer shell can also be traced back to a cylinder, with the base pointing towards you.
We also notice that The arches and columns are arranged according to radial symmetry. 974