Uploaded June 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This shape is called a cuboctohedron. I've always liked it. I grew up with molecular model sets that used plastic cuboctohedrons as the atoms. It has 14 faces consisting of 8 triangles and 6 squares. None of the triangles share edges with other triangles, and none of the squares share edges with other squares.
I made a little paper cut-out animation loop of the cuboctohedron rotating about 2 axis. Group theory kept popping into my head as I cut out the pieces, noticing how much symmetry was present. I was able to reuse some of the cut-outs, just at different angles, which saved me some time.
This shape is called a cuboctohedron. I've always liked it. I grew up with molecular model sets that used plastic cuboctohedrons as the atoms. It has 14 faces consisting of 8 triangles and 6 squares. None of the triangles share edges with other triangles, and none of the squares share edges with other squares.
I made a little paper cut-out animation loop of the cuboctohedron rotating about 2 axis. Group theory kept popping into my head as I cut out the pieces, noticing how much symmetry was present. I was able to reuse some of the cut-outs, just at different angles, which saved me some time.
