How to Tessellate small scrols

Jay Close

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While I'm a beginner draftsman of engraving designs, I have several years designing scrolls for ornamental ironwork. I often draw scrolls from both directions.

I start with the outside of a backbone to completely fill the space alloted. Then plot out the progression of the volute noting the diminishing negative space and work a bit from the middle out. Finally, I'll refine the termination of the scroll working inward and then back out to refine the lines. So, it's back and forth, and inward and outward for me, searching for the true line I know is there somewhere........I also erase a lot.

Years ago, when first discovered it, I found Ron Smith's book on drawing scrolls very helpful for my ironwork and carving, too.
 

LVVP

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Jay,

Ron Smith's book is a treasure for engravers, you also can find a lot of info into our Tips Archive ( see on the top, please)

Thanks
 

Barry Lee Hands

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View attachment 33120

I made Barry's pattern in Illustrator and gave it a quick test.

http://www.engraverscafe.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33120&d=1426249723

Hi Sam that looks about right, perhaps those are about 50 degree and perhaps mine are about 55, ( I know I stated they were 50 somewhere) the thing is, it never works quite perfect, there are always adjustments. I am flattered you took the time to examine this method in detail.
The great thing about it, is even if you don't actually do this after learning it, you never quite look at layout the same way again.
Or, for that matter, carpet in the casino, or wallpaper at grammas, this stuff is everywhere.
 
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Barry Lee Hands

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Barry Lee Hands

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barry posted this quite some time ago. at that time i created a "batch" of hexagonals in corel draw. i can print them any size needed. from there just practice this on paper before committing to the metal. by making an 8 x 10 sheet in corel, down sizing to size needed, the pattern can be made to fit just about any article you would want to engrave.
not too easily done on compound curves.. i also did a pattern based on equilateral triangles.
if you want more of a background, forget this design idea, and just start practicing with a pencil. pencil geometry is always the same, and is much faster to sharpen. get a looseleaf and keep all your drawings. it's a good habit to get into. this way, you have a chronology of progress. as far as old posts go, if they were good then, they're just as valid now.

Monk, one way to decide how big the pattern is made would be to start with a scroll that fills the smallest significant area, and then use that as the standard for the broad areas.
That way the pattern would fit everywhere.

Equilateral tringles are doable, but generally difficult as opposed to even sided figures like squares, hexagons, and octagons.
 
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Barry Lee Hands

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That is VERY cool! How do you determine which way the scrolls go, though?

Hi Cloudy, in this case, they travel in a clockwise direction around the hexagon, and the first one done decides how the others fall into place.
That's whay I call it " Inductive" the scolls are induced by the figure they are built on.
I spent a month or two doing nothing but drawings of this stuff to figure it out, and for about a year, everywhere I went I saw tessellations in everything I looked at.
Thought I was going crazy. fortunately, now I just see them when I think about it!
 

monk

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Monk, one way to decide how big the pattern is made would be to start with a scroll that fills the smallest significant area, and then use that as the standard for the broad areas.
That way the pattern would fit everywhere.

Equilateral tringles are doable, but generally difficult as opposed to even sided figures like squares, hexagons, and octagons.

barry: i had trouble with the concept at first. later i found myself resizing just the way you mention. it's better that way !!
 

Big_Rick

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I understand that this is an advanced technique, but as a newcomer to engraving ill take all the help i can get. In mechanics or building motorcycle's as I am into, it's all about having the right tool for the job. I'll take this as another tool to put in my arsenal. Thank you Mr. Hands.
 
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