Horn to Snail


Definition of surface, in parametric equations:

x(u,v) = á (1-v/(2ð)) cos(n v) (1 + cos(u)) + ã cos(n v)
y(u,v) = á (1-v/(2ð)) sin(n v) (1 + cos(u)) + ã sin(n v)
z(u,v) = á (1-v/(2ð)) sin(u) + â v/(2ð)

where:

  • á is a parameter ranging from 0.15 (horn) to 1 (snail) and back, with a step of 0.05, giving the 35 frames shown here
  • â is a parameter with the fixed value 1 for this plot
  • ã is a parameter with the fixed value 0.1 for this plot, determining the thickness of the horn-snail
  • n is a parameter with the fixed value 2 for this plot, determining the number of twists around the z-axis
  • u ranges from 0 to 2ð, scanning the angle of each circular section of the surface
  • v ranges from 0 to 2ð, defining the diameter of the "cylinder" within which the surface lies.

References:

Tore Nordstrand, Mathematical Surfaces. (Note: Nordstrand calls this a "seashell")


Note: If you do not see Greek characters on this page, it is probably because the font you are currently using with your browser does not include the Greek set. To help you decipher this page, á is alpha, â is beta, ã is gamma, and ð is pi.

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