Introduction
Cellular Chainmaille Theory (CCT) is what I call the system that I use to structurally study weaves. While CCT started out as observations made while creating renders for the Maillepedia, it's evolved into much more than that (at least IMO). Certain elements and concepts have repeatedly made themselves apparent and changed the way that I look at weaves and how I define certain terms. Sections may have additional notes where CCT differs from, what I believe to be, commonly accepted thought. CCT is still a work in progress as I still learn "new" things or come up with a different ways to define a concept. Eventually CCT will be the primary classification system on this site and I already use many of the concepts in the descriptions of the weaves in the Maillepedia. I figured it would be good if people knew what I was talking about when I use certain terms.Please Note: I am not trying to say that other systems are incorrect. Talk to 10 people and you can potentially get 10 different descriptions of the same weave and all can be equally "correct".
The Basics
Over the past 4 or so years, I've tried multiple times to write something up but was never happy enough with any of the results to publish them. I've come to the conclusion that I'm just not a textbook author. With that in mind, I'm just going to start from the ground up. As I'm trying to explain the base elements and concepts I use, I'll do it through the creation of a few basic chains using CCT.CCT Foundations
Foundations of CCT are the "absolutes" of Cellular Chainmaille Theory. While you may not be used to looking at chainmaille this way, these foundations are universally applicable.- Chainmaille is additive.
- Rings are NOT shared between cells
- Chainmaille forms are created from cells, through cellular connections of translations of the initial cell.
- Chainmaille weaves must be able to seamlessly connect to themselves on at least 1 axis.
- When a weave must be able to seamlessly connect to itself, it defines, at least, one translatable cell for the weave.
- By having a defined translateable weave cell, segments can also be defined.
Ring
The first element you come across in chainmaille is the Ring. Rings can come in other shapes, but I'll stick with the one most commonly found in chainmailleYou can do lots of interesting things with rings, but if you knock them over, you're just going to have a bunch of rings all over your floor.
That's where connections come in.Ring Notes:
- Any ring can only belong to a single root cell.
Root Cell
A connection between two rings leads us to the second element, the Root Cell.While a root cell is only two rings with a single connection, CCT considers the Root Cell to be the root of all chainmaille (hence the name
).Root Cell Notes:
- There's only one way to connect 2 rings (with many possible positions once connected).
- Root cells are considered a single element.
Translations
Root cells are unstable by design. It is through the addition (and connection) of further root cells that we reach something "stable". This addition is done through the first concept in CCT, translations.A Translation is when a root cell is copied and "slid" along an axis without any further change in orientation of the cell.
Translation Notes:
- Translations on a single axis are an extension.
Terminations
In speaking about translations, we get to our next concept in CCT, terminations.A termination is when a modification is made to a root cell that prevents the connection of further translations (without rotation or further modification) or for the end of the form to connect to the beginning of the form. Terminations can most easily be seen as adding only part of an additional root cell.
Cellular Connections
Direct
The most basic cellular connection is the Direct Connection. A direct connection is when the first ring of a second root cell is connected to the furthest part of the second ring of the first root cell. Direct connections result in the largest possible extension.Inversion
Once you've connected two rings together into a root cell, that's where the fun really begins. Inverted connections are when a ring in the initial root cell is rotated out of the way and the next cell is attached to, what is essentially, the "back" of the rotated ring.Inversion Lock
Starting with an inverted connection, we can progress to the next connection, the Inversion Lock. Inverted Lock connections are an inversion where instead of merely rotating one ring out of the way, it is rotated far enough to where you can "lock" it into place inside the first ring of the previous cell.Creating Chains
There are many ways that can be used to describe how the following chains are put together. The following is not meant to be a tutorial for these chains (although they can be used as such), but how CCT explains the interactions between elements.Direct Connections - Putting It All Together
Direct connections between root cells result in the base of what are commonly known as Japanese weaves.- Start with a Root Cell.
- Translate the Root Cell.
- Connect each translation to the previous cell and look upon your finished 1-1 chain (also known as 2 in 1 chain).
Inversion Connections - Putting It All Together
Inverted connections between root cells result in the base of what are commonly known as European weaves.- Start with a Root Cell
- Translate the Root Cell
- Invert the Root Cells
- Connect the translations and look upon your finished Inversion chain (also known as 2 in 1 chain European form).
Inversion Lock Connections - Putting It All Together
Inverted lock connections between root cells result in the base of what are commonly known as Persian weaves.- Start with a Root Cell
- Translate the Root Cell
- Invert the Root Cells
- Connect the translations
- Lock the Inversions and look upon your finished Inversion Lock chain, better known as Half Persian 3 in 1.
Conclusion
This article contains the most basic information to introduce you to how Cellular Chainmaille Theory is applied in practice. While the information may seem simple, it is my belief that any system needs a well defined, consistent foundation to build upon and that can be referred back to. If you think there is a lot of information missing from this article, you would be right. There is much more to come. I hope you'll stay along for the rideIf you have any questions or constructive criticism regarding CCT please feel free to let me know in the discussion thread for this article.
If you are interested in going "Beyond The Basics", please see the second entry in the CCT article series which can be found here.
