PARAMETRIC FIGURE SKATING
PROJECT PARTNER
CJ YANG
YEAR
2017
This study of dynamic movement and Python coding were Part 1 of the explorations that eventually led to the Aether project.
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We analysed the movements of a figure skater and represented the motion in both the method through which the code generates form and the visual qualities of the final model.
ANALYSIS
The dynamic movement we focused on was Yuzuru Hanyu's 3A+2T (triple axel and double toe loop combination jump) from his free skate at the 2013 Grand Prix Final.
We set the core of his body as the origin, and tracked 11 markers: the head, hands, elbows, knees, ankles, and his distance from the ground. We analyzed his movement in plan, the movement of the limbs in relation to the core, and his speed of rotation.
POSITION IN ELEVATION
POSITION IN PLAN
We connected the 10 markers and compared the area in relation to his spin. As the area decreases, the speed of spin increases.
ROTATION DIAGRAM: PLAN
ROTATION DIAGRAM: ELEVATION
As part of the exploration, we built a 3-dimensional model of the positions at each frame. We estimated the movement in-between the existing frames by lofting the limbs, and it produced a beautiful sweeping surface along his path of movement.
From the analysis, we decided to focus on two relationships to proceed to the next step of the project. One is the changing position of limbs in relation to the core. The other is the change of limb-position from one frame to the other.
SHAPE GENERATION
The script asks for 2 inputs from the user. One input determines the radius of a circle, the other provides a curve. It then divides the curve into a random number of segments, and marks the division with points.
It takes the tangent vector of the curvature at each division and creates a vector for its normal line. At each division point, user’s input of radius is used to create an imaginary set of four circles with the same center.
These circles are split into 4 quadrants, and two random points are generated in each quadrant. One point is between the 1st and 2nd circle, the other is located between the 3rd and 4th circle.
The script draws out the points in each set along the curve and uses a line to connect the two points that are in the same quadrant. These lines are rotated to match the normal lines. Therefore, perpendicular to the tangent of the curvature at each division point.
In the end, the script lofts all the lines that fall into the same quadrant of the imaginary circle to create the final model.
