Ok this is so far off topic, it probably wouldn't even work in this OT forum...except that I'm trying to make something in this shape with Inkscape. I'm getting hung up on appropriate shading and highlights and want to look at other examples. But I don't know what word(s) to use to search for reference images!

It's sort of like 3D compass that shows N, S, E, W, in and out (for lack of better words). Except instead of having 6 directions, there are 8. So 4 of them are the traditional 4 directions in one plane, while the other 4 are going to be 4 directions...in a plane perpendicular to the 1st. I think that's a reasonable description.

If I can ever get that to work so far, I might add another 4 in the remaining 3rd plane. But it's going nowhere until I can search out a reference image or 2. Does anyone know what this is called?

Thanks for your help

You might be thinking of a variation of a polyhedron - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_uniform_polyhedra

Mmmm, that's not quite it.
Like this, only the lines aren't just smooth, they're kind of like wooden chair rungs that have been turned on a lathe.



Like in elementary school math, number lines, I think that a set of 4 directions might have been called axis? You know where they extend infinitely in each direction? So I''ll have 2 of those in 2 different planes (maybe 3 if I don't get too frustrated).

Sounds like 3D axes, draw a nice 3D box and make guides out of it (Object > Objects to guides), maybe that'll help

Not sure i understand your request : Euclidean Space only has three axes, XYZ, if you choose to illustrate the positive and negative parts as arrows from 0/0/0 ,you end up with 6 arrows

As to the practicalities: If your picture is about a 2d shape, you could do a compass rose or whatever, then copy and apply perspective from the effects menu ( a path with four nodes denoting the perspective is needed). If it is about a 3d shape (for instance cone shaped arrowheads), that might be more rewarding in a true 3d program like Blender - there, if you change your mind on the positioning, you don't have to fiddle every bit.

Are trying to represent 4 dimensional space on a plan?

Oh geez, maybe there's not a word for this thing? I thought there was, but oh well!

Thanks for all your comments. I have been able to use some of the words you all used in your replies, to search with, and have found some very close, but not quite what I need, examples.

I think I'm going to play around with the Perspective Effect that loonquawl suggested, and the 3d box that prkos suggested, although I'm going to have to post for help on that, in the Help forum.

Early Blake, no it's only going to be 3d in the end. There will be one N, S, E, W in one plane, and another in another plane, both sharing the same 0,0,0 center point. And I may put a 3rd in a 3rd plane, if I don't get too frustrated.

Anyway, thanks again everyone

OK, I could be well wide of the mark here but I'm going to take a punt on what you're attempting to do and guess at a perspective transformation. In the event I've guessed right, I hope this set of tips might help you out a bit.

With molto thanks to jobed77, whose quick tutorial (http://inkscapetips.wordpress.com/2007/ ... ve-effect/) I've taken and spruced up for use here.

Wow digital havoc, thanks for going to so much trouble!
That's actually very close to what I need. I've been practicing with the Perspective Effect, and have done something like your tutorial. But now I'm working on using the 3d box, just for the sake of learning, but also hoping it will lead to something I can use.

Awesome tutorial, btw!
And thanks again

You're welcome - I hadn't tried this myself before now so I've learned something too.

Don't forget to show us your work when it's ready.