The 32 Crystallographic Point Groups ("real life" set)

Models of the 32 Crystal Classes (= crystallographic point groups) for teaching or practice. For projection. Printing not generally advised, although some models can certainly be printed.

I found the best way to learn concepts like symmetry is to look for occurences in real life, and then try to apply your knowledge. Symmetric objects can be found everywhere, and this set is intended to send students along that general trajectory.

There are no overlaps with my other sets, obviously. To the best of my knowledge this is the most complete freely shared set with this theme. Note that the models were designed/chosen to be thrown on a beamer. Most are probably printable (some with lots of supports, or a resin printer). And even if you don't want to use the models at all, you can still use the list below to look for fotos of such objects on the web ;-)

The set is incomplete because I couldn't come up with real life examples for some symmetries, not sure if there are any. Molecules and abstract artwork are excluded on purpose. I tried to come up with objects where there's a good chance that most people have at least seen something similar.
The missing symmetries are -3, -3m and 23. If you have an idea what to use, please let me know in the comments (I do know of a football with 23 symmetry, but would like more variety).

Some objects I use were not designed or changed by me, these are only included as links to the original work in the list below. Please download from the original authors and leave them a like.

Check out my other symmetry models:

Minimal set
Didactic set
(Pseudo-)Minerals set
Molecules set
Simple Set
Spheres (Pac-Man)
Spheres (rings)
Teddys

Tags

List of used molecules:

1: a flip flop (by Kaleb08)
-1: a reef knot
2: scissors
m: a cup
2/m: the letter "S"
222: a kayak paddle
mm2: a cooking pot
mmm: the letter "H"
4: a screwcap bottle
-4: a sugar pack
4/m: a sawblade
422: a woven ring
4mm: a Phillips screwdriver
-42m: a tennis ball
4/mmm: a water mill wheel
3: a propeller (generated with NACA airfoil propeller library by Anachronist)
-3: missing
32: a triquetra celtic pendant (by Nys1)
3m: a yield sign (european)
-3m: missing
6: a helical gear
-6: a fidget spinner
6/m: a carbon racing bike wheel
622: a classic spoked bike wheel
6mm: a cake
-6m2: a pool rack / triangle
6/mmm:  a snowflake
23: missing
m-3: a volleyball (by Chrislee3x7)
432: a modern football (Adidas “Brazuca”, heavily inspired by a model from GrabCAD)
-43m: a tetrapod wave breaker
m-3m: a die