4

For a school project, I'm investigating the brachistochrone curve. As part of this, I want to make a 3D simulation of an object falling down a cycloid, but I'm not sure how I would actually go about making the cycloid? This is the cycloid curve

scratch342
  • 43
  • 2
  • Another way (though @MartyFotus has a more correct approach) is to use dynamic paint. With this, you can actually 'track' the point on the circle as it moves. – CoolCoder Aug 18 '21 at 09:39
  • Somewhat related https://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/165190/how-to-do-trammel-of-archimedes-animation – batFINGER Aug 18 '21 at 15:04

1 Answers1

2

You can enable the Add Mesh: Extra Objects add-on in your preferences.

This will allow you to add a Mesh -> Math Function -> X, Y, Z Surface.

You can then go to the Last Operation options panel and enter the necessary equations:

parametric equation for a cycloid

By playing with U min and U Max you can generate more or less of the cycloid.

parametric equation for two full passes

If you want just the curve, then set Z to 0 rather than v. Here's the curve for two "humps"

cycloid in Blender.

Marty Fouts
  • 33,070
  • 10
  • 35
  • 79