Attached is version 1.0 of my Aspirograph gadget. It can create Spirograph-like vectors, the difference being that Aspirograph creates a series of line segments rather than a true curve. But once the vector is created, use the Fit Curves to Selected Vectors function within Aspire or VcarvePro to smooth out the vector. The Create and Delete buttons within the gadget allow the vector parameters to be quickly varied until the desired vector is generated before leaving the gadget window.
While this was fun to create and was a good learning experience, I tried figuring out what it might actually be used for, thinking that unless you wanted to carve out some polar graphs for a high school math class, it might just be kind of a neat drawing demonstration. But since then I've thought of a couple of possible applications for these curves. I think they could potentially make some pretty neat edge-lit acrylic pieces, and then it occurred to me that these could generate some nice Extrude and Weave patterns.
I'm hoping you will find other creative ways to make this gadget useful -- please share if you do. And if you post an image of an Aspirograph vector, you might consider providing the parameters used to generate it in case others want to try to duplicate it (I've put them in the names of the images I attached). Anyway, try it out and make sure it works for you. Comments and suggestions welcome.
Van
