This is a bit of a jump from the basic level, but I don’t think that should stop anyone from trying. I’ll start by saying that my rotating letter M is far from perfect. However, we do get the illusion that the shape is rotating, and that alone is enough to make me want to share my process here.


    For this one, I started by sketching the key positions of the rotation.

    I then separated the parts of the M into geometric shapes and tried to visualize those shapes from a top view.


    Starting with the first leg of the M, that rectangle needs to become thinner and thinner as the shape rotates untill it finally disappears when the M is sideways.



    We also have to consider that the leg is not only getting thinner but also moving to the right. So, from a top view, it needs to be going diagonally.


The other leg of the M, however, is going in the opposite direction.


    Now, for the side of the M, that will give its thickness when it’s spinning, we need to start with a thinner line that grows as the letter rotates. And it should also be going towards the middle. After reaching the thickest point, the line needs to shrink again while still moving to the side.


    Now that the M is completely sideways, we can create an inversion of the previous shapes to complete the turnaround (this only works because the letter M is symmetric).


    We need to repeat the process with the inner parts of the M before putting everything together. It’s important to notice that, in the rotating M I’ve made, there are some mistakes regarding the black part of the letter, that sometimes appear on the wrong side. That happened because I mistakenly placed the black clay on the outside of the second leg like in the picture bellow.


    I’m aware that the whole process for this animation is kind of confusing and I’m not 100% sure if the way I did it was the best way. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t let that discourage you from trying, as this animation represented a big step for me in strata cut and could be one for you too!


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© Mônica Moura 2024