Research on the Application of Cement Tile Patterns Based on Shape Grammar

Abstract

The current derivation and application of traditional culture lack a scientific procedural method, and the existing processes are overly cumbersome and complex. The transformation of flat patterns requires manual modeling by professional product designers, resulting in low efficiency, especially when dealing with intricate patterns. To address these issues, this paper takes Xiamen cement encaustic tiles as an example and establishes a standardized process from the extraction of cultural elements to the 3D printing of physical products. Additionally, a one-click transformation plugin from flat patterns to three-dimensional models is developed based on the QT framework and Grasshopper platform. This plugin utilizes an edge recognition algorithm to identify the transformed patterns as editable NURBS curves. The curves are then converted into surfaces using the plugin’s modeling functionality before being encapsulated. With the encapsulated plugin, users only need to input a PNG image of the desired pattern and the basic model of the desired product to obtain a product with the structural features of the specified pattern. This research aids product designers in quickly extracting the most distinctive features, significantly accelerating the development speed of cultural and creative product transformations, improving production efficiency. The simplified operational process enables more people to participate in the design of cultural and creative products, promoting the dissemination and integration of traditional culture with modern technology.

Keywords

• cement tiles
• shape grammar
• Grasshopper
• QT
• parametric design