Tutorial 18: Figure-8 Vase
Create a dramatic double-lobed vase by drawing an off-center circle, then using Mirror to reflect it to the other side. The result is a figure-8 cross-section that spirals upward.
What you'll learn
- How to use the Mirror block to reflect geometry across an axis
- Why off-center geometry is essential for Mirror to be visible
- How to chain geometry blocks: draw original, then mirror copy
- How to create multi-lobe organic forms
Prerequisites
- Completion of Tutorial 2 (Spiral Vase with Dynamic Radius) is recommended.
Step 1: Define variables
Set Variable
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Step 1
Create three slider variables
Add three Set Variable blocks with Show in Viewport enabled:
- lobeRadius =
15— radius of each lobe
Step 2: Center and add Spiral Up
Spiral Up
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Step 2
Add Translate and Spiral Up
Add Translate (center on bed). Inside the body, add Spiral Up with Start Z = Layer Height, End Z = vaseHeight, Rotations = vaseHeight / Layer Height.
Step 3: Draw the first lobe
Circle
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Step 3
Add an off-center circle
Inside the Spiral Up body, add a Circle with CX = lobeOffset, CY = 0, Radius = lobeRadius. This draws the right lobe of the figure-8.
Step 4: Mirror for the second lobe
Mirror
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Step 4
Add Mirror with a second circle
After the first Circle (connected via next), add a Mirror block with Axis = X. Inside the Mirror body, add another Circle with the same settings: CX = lobeOffset, CY = 0, Radius = lobeRadius. The Mirror reflects this circle to the opposite side, creating the left lobe.
Complete block program
Full program — Tutorial 18
Interactive preview is available in the interactive reader.
Final block structure
| # | Block | Where | Values |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Set Variable | Path Group | lobeRadius=15, lobeOffset=12, vaseHeight=50 |
| 4 | Translate | Path Group | X = bedsize_x/2, Y = bedsize_y/2 |
| 5 | ↳ Spiral Up | Inside Translate | Start Z, End Z, Rotations |
| 6 | Circle | Inside Spiral Up | CX = lobeOffset (right lobe) |
| 7 | ↳ Mirror (X) | After Circle | Reflects next circle |
| 8 | ↳ Circle | Inside Mirror | CX = lobeOffset → becomes −lobeOffset |
Outcome
You should see a figure-8 shaped vase with two lobes spiraling upward. The dual-wall structure creates a dramatic silhouette that looks completely different depending on the viewing angle.
Load this tutorial
Interactive preview is available in the interactive reader.
Interactive preview is available in the interactive reader.
What's Next
Tutorial 19: Tornado Tower — Combine Scale and Rotate both driven by height to create a hexagonal tower that twists and tapers like a tornado.