MOEBIUS STRIP

   * Subject: Re:  .fli ftp site?
   * Date: Mon, 6 Jun 1994 18:38:39 -0400 [51]
   * From: Jason B Koszarsky <kozarsky@cse.psu.edu>

So, in Imagine, I'd start with a simple two point open path. Bend the path so that the endpoint meet each other & the shape of the path is a loop. Do the bending about the x-axis. Place the endpoints exactly on top of one another. Use the transformation requester to get/set exact location coordinates. Then take one point and rotate it 180 degrees on the local y-axis.

With the path created, you are almost done. Now just make a single line consisting of 2 pointer & one edge connecting the points. Make sure that the axis is placed on the center of the line & that the y-axis is perpendicular to the line itself.

You could add a primitive plane, delete 2 points, move & rotate the axis, it may be quicker this way. If you start with this plane, only use 1 vertical & 1 horizontal section. Hmm. I wonder what imagine would say if I were to try 0 vertical sections?

Now extrude your line object along the moebius path. Use enough sections to get it as smooth as you desire. Also, set it so that the y is aligned to the path. Otherwise, it won't twist.

What has been created is a flat moebius strip. If you want to have some thickness, you could extrude a 4point plane along the path(the y-axis for the plane should be perpendicular to the plane's surface).

You may also want to add a 3rd point to the path by fracturing or splitting it. This will give you more control over the shape. If you add the 3rd point after doing the initial steps above, then you won't have to worry about rotating it on its local yaxis.

   * Subject: Easy Moebius Strip
   * Date: Tue, 7 Jun 1994 13:57:42 GMT +1200 [51]
   * From: "Paul Batten" <BATTENP@scico1.chchp.ac.nz>

In the detail editor:

1. Add a closed path

2. Add a primitive plane, say 40x20 1 section

3. select the plane, choose Extrude: Along Path (the closed path in 1.), Align Y to Path, Sections = 100, Y Rotation = 180 ( to give the Moebius loop). Perform extrude.

4. You may need to edit the 8 faces where the 1st and last planes join, the seem to get twisted.

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