Mathematicians discover new geometric primitive?

Woot! "For the first time in more than 200 years, a team of mathematicians has discovered a new type of geometrical minimal shape."

Like the cube, sphere, or cone, this is a NEW geometrical primitive! (I think. Maybe I'm confused.)

It's a "beautiful surface" and a "great example of geometric optimization"!

The mathematicians admit that there is "no practical use today" for such a shape. Hmmm...

And you guys say I never bring you anything. Sheesh!

http://www.primidi.com/2005/11/01.html#a1347

I'da know. The thing with primitives, as they are today, is they work with the way the brain perceives shapes in happy simplicity. The second I looked at that thing, I kinda tilted my head and went "huh?"

Now, there are plenty of primitives "out there" that Second Life really doesn't use. Most of these are meant to be toyed around with in Cad programs. Easy examples would be a few platonic solids Second Life doesn't use, or a potatoid.


As for Second Life prims, I've studied them enough to know they're based purely on triangle, square, and circle maths. Really quite interesting.

Here's a bunch of minimal surfaces. There are also Java applets that allow you to rotate them around in 3d. Sadly, making models of most these in Second Life is (currently) virtually impossible.