Software for 3D geometry illustrations?

[ozg]

Dear all,

I am looking for an interactive software that can let me play with 3d geometry. I apologize, as I am not sure of the right technical term of the sorts of shapes I am interested to work with. I am not a mathematician or physicist, but rather use these as philosophical metaphors and illustrations. I think that what I need is called either differential geometry or topology.

You can see examples of what I mean here http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-worm-hole-image15885270

Basically, I need to be able to draw a plane in 3d space and then add singularity points to crate this vortex shape, or gravitational pull and change from 1 bifurcation point to 2, etc. Does this makes sense?

The closest thing I found is this software http://raumgeometrie.de/drupal/ and I was wondering if you might know others, preferably open source. GeoGebra is a good example of another useful software that does not require technical knowledge, but it's only for 2d shapes (the beta does 3d, but nothing like I need).

Thank you very much!

 

[gsal]

Hhhhmmm...this is the Math and Science Software forum...I am thinking most of us are familiar with software to create figures like that knowing the underlying mathematical equation...but, it sounds like you do not know such equations nor care to get into such technical "details", is this correct?

Mathematics-based graph creation software are plenty: octave, maxima, euler, asymptote, etc., etc., etc.

I am thinking you are looking for software that allows you to draw whatever you want, instead? some graphics program where you can "fake" these surfaces, forms that you are envisioning?

I wonder if you can use something like SketchUp, or Gimp or Inkscape.

Sorry I can't be of much help.

 

[ozg]

Thanks gsal! Yes, you are right. I need something that let's me play with the shapes without the knowledge of the underlying details. Further investigation seems to point to Atlas 2 as a possible one; but I guess I can simply try to play with Maya or 3Ds Max which are total overkill for my needs, but still it looks like all the others require mathematical knowledge in order to plot shapes.