Tool STL Deformation Art - Moai Series

🗿 Deformations of the Moai

This collection showcases a set of unique, abstract, and deliberately distorted Moai statues, created using my experimental tool, STLShaper (also known as STL Deformer). This project is driven by the goal of Algorithmic Abstraction and the Subversion of Form—using mathematical functions to transform recognizable 3D geometry into something unexpected, unsettling, and strange.

I used this  Moai STL https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:144668 as a canvas and applied distinct algorithmic deformations from my tool. These models are not printing errors; they are the result of deliberate distortion to create novel variations and push the boundaries of 3D printing aesthetics.

The Four Deformations Applied

Each Moai model demonstrates a different core feature of STLShaper:

• Chaotic Noise Moai: This version applies a noise-based deformation to introduce chaotic, organic movement and distortion across the surface. The effect is one of digital decay or natural erosion.
  • Control Used: Intensity and Scale to control the strength and frequency of the noise features.
• Pulsating Sine Wave Moai: This transformation generates a sinusoidal wave deformation, producing rhythmic, flowing changes that can create a mesmerizing, pulsating effect.
  • Control Used: Amplitude and Frequency to define the height and number of waves across the model.
• Fragmented Pixelate Moai: The model's vertices are snapped to a grid to pixelate the shape, resulting in a stark, fragmented, and deliberate voxel-like aesthetic. 
  • Control Used: Voxel Size to set the size of the pixelation grid.

About STLShaper

STLShaper is an experimental tool built with Three.js and that acts as a digital deterministic sculpture lab. It allows for real-time deformation with interactive sliders and handles large files efficiently by using Web Workers for parallel processing.

While these are outputted STLs, IDW Shepard deformation works best with solid, manifold meshes, so complex or thin-walled areas may produce unexpected results. Embrace the weirdness and please share your print outcomes!

Printing
    
No special post processing is needed of the stl, but repairing it can be usefull.

Tool

Tool: https://toledoem.github.io/stlshaper/
Github: https://github.com/ToledoEM/stlshaper