The Visualisation and Expression of Virtual 3DSurfaces Explored through Custom Developed Interactive Software, Optically Mixed Coloured Surface Contouring and Fine Art Printmaking

Abstract

This short presentation paper describes an exploration and the visualisation of virtual 3D compositions through custom developed software and fine art printmaking. The author, a trained and practising visual artist considers this innovative visualisation as an exploration into the newly emerging visual language of the computer in similar vein to some of the NPR artists. The comprehension of virtual 3D objects is achieved primarily through linear surface contouring. The colour of these 3D surfaces is created by components intrinsic to the contour structure culminating in optical colour mixtures. The custom software, developed by the author, facilitates the application of the surface contouring to imported pre-constructed 3D object’s surfaces, computing the contouring component configurations and dimensions. Fine art screen-prints are created from DIBs generated within the software from the colour layers comprising the surface contouring. The printed DIBs form monochrome positives that are available for the artist to edit at will, before or following the transfer to screen-print screens and printing in CMYK screen-printing inks. The entire process can be reiterated editing the composition’s coloured contouring using the software, the positives or even the screens themselves until a satisfactory aesthetic result is obtained