EDIT: V2 is out! scroll to the end of the page to view

Hello everyone!

My name is Jeremy Isenburg, but you can call me Jerm. I am 17 years old working on graduating high school . I have just recently started using Solidworks, and about two weeks in I got to work on a 4x6x8 cuboid! I ended up printing it just after creating it and I could not be more proud. It functions very nice, and gets even more stable once scrambled. When it is in a solved state, care needs to be taken on the outer two layers on the 4x6 side, and the out-most layer on the 4x8 side. Once I got used to it though It turns fantastic! And when scrambled they don't even effect anything as larger pieces help stabilize the smaller pieces.

Of course I have to give a massive thanks to Greg, for the great amount of "yes you did that right" and of course the "no, try this" comments. I definitely bombarded him with questions, and without him the puzzle would not be as nice as it is now

it is 56.25x86.25x116.25

I do not know the weight, I don't have a scale.

video: http://youtu.be/mHRFKSdp__c
V2 video: http://youtu.be/BDpskCYnhK4
buy V2 here!
http://shpws.me/nF4B

And I don't know how to flip the pictures lol

It looks fantastic! Thanks for showing.

Would you mind telling us how much it cost to print? I'm feeling the need for another ultimate shapeshifter after solving my 3x5x7 and I can't afford Claus' 5x7x9!

It will be available for $250 and $285 for black. There were a few pieces that powder got stuck in from holes not being large enough. I am making those bigger (I assumed powder could fit through a 1mm hole easily... it cannot. I guess everyone has similar issues on their first print ) and will re-upload it!

Woah...best first post this forum has ever seen. Very nice puzzle man.

WOW

In the ever expanding universe of puzzle designers and assemblers, suddenly emerges a new star that has, right from birth and in this moment in time, out shined them all.
You are the very reason that collectors like me can never stop watching, as we would never want to miss out on such an absolutely fantastic gem that you created. This fits perfectly a gap in my collection!
Congratulations on this great puzzle, and I'm very excited to find out what you'll bring us next

Comments like these just make my days better!

My next puzzle is going to be very unique indeed. It will challenge the best of those who deem themselves worthy of puzzle solving, bringing complexity, frustration, and confusion to those who take on the challenge. It will bring you to your knees begging for mercy! I can't wait to work on it more

my next major puzzle that is

Fantastic despite the oxymoronic title.

Nice one Tony ! I hadn't picked up the oxymoron 'Another Ultimate'

Congratz once again Jeremy

Well you know, just couldn't resist!

Actually, if you look at the "ultimate shapeshifters" as a broad category of cuboids, displaying Nx(N+P)x(N+Q) where P and Q are different even numbers, then this would fit nicely into the class of ultimate shapeshifters along with the 2x4x6, 3x5x7, 5x7x9, 3x5x9 etc.

These would all display shapeshifting in all directions and suffer from both the "floppy parity" found during last layer edge reduction, as well as the "brick parity" found during 180 degree solves of previously bandaged center and edge pieces.

Now we get to see how this translates into higher order even variations of the class!
I think I'll have to reboot K-9 to help me with some of these calculations...

Oxymoronic what?

I believe when Tony said that it is oxymoronic, is because another = "once again," and ultimate = last one. those two words conflict eachother making it oxymoronic. so I am basically saying there is another last cuboid. So, every cuboid is the last cuboid, until someone like me decides to make another last one. which is what I meant to do in the title, since I have seen a few "ultimate" cuboid titles on here. (yep confusing)


Sadly I am not experienced in solving any cuboid other than the 4x4x6. I took on this one and was completely stumped. I just couldn't get it to the 4x6x6 form! At least that's what I thought it would become after the 4x4 state. I tried many algorithms including the red bull. I messed up on my red bull algorithm too many times (I can't even get it right every time on the 4x4) I finally succumbed, and just reassembled it. One day soon, I shall re scramble and tackle it again.

Greg! What have you done?
Sorry for this unproductive answer. Everything else was already said.

BTW: Flipping image is not necessary but the next time you might want to try white paper as background.

Once I finished creating the puzzle, I received a tip on how to make it a little more stable. I was having slight trouble with pieces proportional, and stable, so Greg gave me the idea in making them un proportional, and that worked perfectly It allowed some tolerance for stability supports on the inside.

Greg has been a great help, and not just in puzzle making! He is a great person.


Yeah it probably would have. However my resources are limited and all I had was my I-phone to take pictures in less than adequate lighting. When I used white paper, shadows were all over the place and I could not get it to look really nice, so I chose this as it looked nicer to me

Wow, this is absolutely astonishing. You decide to learn Solidworks, and create a puzzle - so the first thing you design is this?!

If you had released this 2 or 3 weeks ago it would have been the greatest cuboid ever created, before Greg's 5x7x9 came along.

Absolutely incredible, It looks great, well done!

I just wanna find a pot of gold...


then throw out the gold and find this cube in the bottom of the pot

<Don's fake moderators hat...>


Guys, guys. We have rules on this site. Please check with the owner of the "word" before using them!
<...fake moderators hat off>

Jerm: Fantastic first attempt - try harder next time!

This is utterly impressing!

How do you all get access to Solidworks? At school / university?
I would have to pay a very high price (nobody will believe me that I'm a student at the age of 66 )

Awesome
It's sad that I don't have enough money(I'm just a kid.) But if I had I would definitely buy this awesome puzzle I really like it.
Max

Jerm, this is an incredible first puzzle, but now you have set the bar very high for yourself Let's hope that you don't do an Orson!

When the Idea was thought up, I had no knowing of the 5x7x9 once I found out though, I was almost done. I am not disappointed that it came out though I wanted to come out with an even layered version! it seems as if there are not any high layered even cuboids that follow Nx(N+P)x(N+Q)



Well my parents always said I can do anything I set my mind to

What is an Orson?



Do what I do and save up! thank you though



Ask the right people Sadly I won't have it forever.




As you wish



But keep the gold and buy more amazing creations

I mean the career of Orson Wells, where he started with fooling the USA into believing there had been an alien invasion, then made what is usually considered to be the best film ever made, but it was all downhill from there

At least the chances of this puzzle being "buyable" are better than a million to one

Wait, so you: got solid works a few weeks ago, designed this amazing puzzle, then showed it off and lots of people say it's the best debut puzzle they've seen, but you don't know how to rotate images!?
This is a really cool puzzle. Great work. I hope to see a lot more from you in the future.

Haha! The rotate button was faded out! I know how but got too excited to do it again after I failed once

Gus, the only reason I would pull anything close to an Orson, would be that my school work overwhelms me. However I wouldn't call that downhill I am going into chemical engineering which in itself is uphill!

EDIT: I realize I may have been misleading in saying I have only known Solidworks for about a month. While this is true, I have created many things in auto desk inventor for the past 3 years. it does not do so well with multibody parts though. When I get home I might post some things I have done in Inventor

ChemEng! When I was at Uni doing my degree that course struck fear into the hearts of everyone Good luck.

I too have used Inventor a little bit, and it and Solid works have a lot in common. In fact, I followed a YouTube tutorial for SW on how to draw a DDH in Inventor, and the steps were almost identical.

ChemEng definitely has my heart beating faster as the days draw near, but I chose it without knowing anything about the difficulty, or pay. I just love engineering and chemistry My family, my brother in particular, has proven that anyone who wants to can succeed at anything. Whether you are on the bottom of the food chain or the top, everyone has equal chances. In a lot of ways, those who are on the bottom end up being the most successful. I think that if you start out on the bottom, you are almost better off as it pushes you to do better, and with determination, even the sky does not limit you.

That's my philosophy for the day ^.^

Yes inventor and Solidworks are very much similar inventor is my preference though

I like this quite a bit better than the 5x7x9. I think, in the case of higher-order cuboids like these, olzing is very nice.

-Doug

This reminds me of the famous quote: "I've been rich, I've been poor. Believe me, rich is better."

*giggle* Or this one.. that I often say to my clients (I work in health care by the way):

"money does not make you happy, it is just very convenient to have some of it"

Sorry for the off-topic banter Jerm, but I also like: "Money does not guarantee happiness, but it does buy a very good imitation."

This is a great first solidworks puzzle. Do you have any other experience in puzzle making?

I can't wait to see your next project

Lol these are interesting quotes! while being rich, and getting what you want does bring convenience. Those who have been poor, know what it is like to be poor, and what they learned then, cross over to when they are richer. I have a first hand experience at this!

Also an update on the puzzle: It is up to your guys whether it goes up for sale or not! For some reason, every flaw this puzzle has just makes me want to keep it away, as I wouldn't want others to experience it.
points:
1) It pops very easily. when not given care in its turning, it will pop all the time. I give it to someone to play with who has never handled it and it pops on them.
2)If I fix this issue, it would be slightly more expensive. This is because I would have to make it bigger to add support to some smaller pieces.
3) I could add these supports, and have it on shapeways within a few days, but not prototyped.
4) I really don't know how big of an issue it is compared to other products since I don't have any
5) I don't want to let anyone down
6) It isn't about the money for me
7) My first shapeways product did not work at all, after spending $300 on it, I regret it, and don't want that for you guys.
8) I tried making it as small as possible to make it as cheap as possible. this is why those pieces pop.
So let me know what you guys think!

another option is I could offer this one for sale, then offer v2 for everyone who bought V1 for the original price. Or something like that.

Here is an update for all you who are anxious to get this puzzle

I have ordered and received version two of the puzzle! It is 100 times better and even smaller than before without olzing! The mech is much more complex. I do not have a video of version two. I have printed out a copy though and it works very nice. Sadly I was clumsy and broke my core during assembly. I was too excited and didn't realize I was moving ahead of myself. I was able to put a band aid on it temporarily, but that soon wore off before I could get the video. I did manage to break it in most of the way, and scramble it though, and I could not be happier with the results. Here are a few pictures for you guys though It is available on my shop for those who want it! it will be a while yet before I can get a video though, since I have to order a new core. I should probably have separate bags for my screws or else I might use the wrong one again!

For those who want it: http://shpws.me/nF4B

Version two ended up being cheaper who knew!

Jerm,

I don't think I could have imagined a better first post on this forum. The things you did just astound me:

1. INSANELY impressive first puzzle.
2. Good quality pictures (though I'm sure Andreas would say a white background would be better) EDIT: Note to self: read the thread, then post....
3. Lots of photos
4. Disassembled photo
5. Edge length.
6. Knowing the forum well enough to feel guilty about not knowing the weight. (I do this nearly every time. )
7. A nice amount of description.

Welcome to the forum.

-Eitan

As much as I admire the lower cost, I did love the olzed face Any chance of a stable design with the olzed face available as well?

Thank you for the kind words without your video on shapeways to get me started in designing puzzles I am not sure if I would be here!

it weighs exactly 156 grams by the way (that's about 1/3 of a pound for those who are curious)



I am the type who wants to please everyone, and make sure everyone can get what they desire if in the realm of possibilities. I could make an olzed 4x6x8 with a more stable mech, but it would not be as stable as V2. I would also not prototype this version, and you would have to buy it without proof that it works. You see, when you olze something, it is basically shaving away the piece making it smaller. This being said, it also eliminates some of the mechanism that keeps it stable. Once olzed the pieces are very limited in how much room there is for stability supports, and limited areas on a piece that such supports could be added.

If you want though, I can offer you the olzed V1 for a very generous price. I am near 100% sure that you will not be fully satisfied with the puzzle. It has a few issues that I will display in an upcoming video.

Hello everyone, I present the 4x6x8 version 2! some of you have seen pictures, but not like this.

Weight: 156.0 grams
dimensions: 100 mm x 80 mm x 60 mm
Quality: Amazing! I started laughing when I turned it the first time, it was so smooth it corner cuts, it is somewhat finger trick-able, it has room for springs, and it does not pop or lock up! (except mine, since I had issues with the core, that are now fixed, but even they are minimum)

Sorry Andreas, but I do not like white back grounds at least I flipped the pictures right side up.

buy here: http://shpws.me/nF4B
buy stickers here: http://speedcubing.hu/webshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_57&products_id=445
video: http://youtu.be/BDpskCYnhK4

no such puzzle is great without a cat









and lastly a windmill, because this puzzle just excites me


P.S You will just have to get the puzzle to see the mechanism (I am not just saying that because it takes so long to put back together...) It is much more complex than before. Completely re-done mech.

Aargh!
Puzzle pornography!

You've convinced me definitely convinced me! I have to get this one very soon!
Bank balance now in tatters having ordered a Master curvy copter from Eitan at the weekend AND you convincing me to buy one of these!

Such fun puzzles to play with!!! Such a good time to be into twisties.

Arrggh! Please just take them against a white background as well, it helps image editing very, VERY, VERY much

certainly hope you can get one soon



do you want me to take some of a white background for you? I am sure I can find a sheet somewhere that is white. which pictures do you want with a white background? ALSO, the puzzle is stuck in a scrambled state, and I am not able to get it back as of right now... maybe some help?

This is where I do not know where to continue my solve.

EDIT: solved!

Usually a good entry in the museum has these images:
* one or two of the solved state.
* one in midturn for each movement (if there are different kinds of turn)
* one in scrambled state (if the builder dares)
* one for each special feature (e.g. jumbling if possible)
* one for everything I forgot to enumerate (I am only human)

In this specific case Gus already edited the images of the first version. Therefore I ask just for images of version 2 with white background like the two under the one with the cat.
And I ask you whether you want version 1 or 2 to be the representating image for this puzzle.

Andreas

I can 'shoop the background out of a few of those easily enough if you want. I'll PM Andreas with the URL later today.

EDIT: sent.

[/quote]Usually a good entry in the museum has these images:
* one or two of the solved state.
* one in midturn for each movement (if there are different kinds of turn)
* one in scrambled state (if the builder dares)
* one for each special feature (e.g. jumbling if possible)
* one for everything I forgot to enumerate (I am only human)[/quote]



It appears Joshua did most of the work for me, since I have near all those specified images already. I did not have one mid-turn though, so here it is with as plain a white background as I could get If anyone in my family even owned a camera or image editing tool on their computer I would use that, but sadly no one does. Everyone uses their phones for picture taking.

Everyone seems to love pictures with white backgrounds! Is this the case for the museum only? For me, I find them with the lake in the background to be 10 times for appealing.

[/quote]
And I ask you whether you want version 1 or 2 to be the representating image for this puzzle.
[/quote]

version 2 would be my preference

Yes. It is for the museum only. Removing an almost perfectly white background is way easier than beautiful table made from marble.

Thank you Joshua.

Backgrounds only matter when you use a fuzzy / magnetic / thresholding selection tool to remove the background. I find it too hard to get good results using those, especially with the blocky compression artifacts of JPEG. I always manually trace the puzzle which makes the background matter a lot less.

I edited a few of the images:
http://www.brandonenright.net/~bmenrigh/468_1.png
http://www.brandonenright.net/~bmenrigh/468_2.png
http://www.brandonenright.net/~bmenrigh/468_3.png
http://www.brandonenright.net/~bmenrigh/468_4.png
http://www.brandonenright.net/~bmenrigh/468_5.png
http://www.brandonenright.net/~bmenrigh/468_6.png

Edit: btw, the iPhone 4 gets the color balance wrong and its blue channel is terrible. One way to combat it is to put something pure white, pure black in the picture as well as something with red, green, and blue. If you do this you'll find that the iPhone's camera software makes much better decisions about colors and white balance.

Correct.
With images from Oskar, David Pitcher (and a few others) the automatic tools you named give quick and good results. Everyone posting images like those would be my dream.

Thank you for editing the images. Sadly you worked in vain because Gus already did that as I wrote earlier in this thread.

Andreas

Update: All is well! Any puzzles purchased work even better than my own version.