Pretty Rubik Patterns

This page presents several pretty Rubik patterns that are only a few moves from start. I haven't taken the time and trouble to incorporate the corresponding images. If you want to see the patterns, apply the moves to your own cube, and watch what happens. Moves are designated TBLRFK, for clockwise turns of the top, bottom, left, right, front, and back faces respectively. Lower case letters indicate counterclockwise twists. If you have any other pretty patterns, please mail them to me, and I'll put them on this page.

Checkerboard [TTBBLLRRFFKK]
Each face presents a 3×3 checkerboard. This is the (5) on a traditional die. Foreground and background colors are opposite.
Dots [TbLrfKTb]
In each face, the original center (the dot) is surrounded by a new monochromatic ring, as though the outer shell of 20 pieces were rotated while the three axies remain fixed. This is the (1) on a traditional die. Note that foreground and background colors can never be opposite.
Side Square [FRFkBBfKRf]
A different color square sits on the side of each 3×3 face.
Corner Square [frKBBkRTTrKBBkRTTF]
A different color square sits on the corner of each 3×3 face.
Diagonal Seams [FKRLFKRLFKRL]
The top and bottom are the same, while diagonal seams run around the four sides, a bit like a baseball. This transformation is its own inverse.
Stripes [FFRRFFKKRRFK]
Two outer stripes of one color bracket an inner stripe of another color. This is the (6) on a traditional die.
Cross [FRlBBFFBBrLFFBBF]
Each face presents a cross. This is the (4) on a traditional die.
H Face [FFRlFFKKRlKK]
Each face looks like the capital letter H. Foreground and background colors are opposite.
T Face [FFRRbTRRFFbT]
Each face looks like the capital letter T. Foreground and background colors are opposite.
U Face [FRbLLTfKlBBRbl]
Each face looks like the capital letter U.
Yin-yang [FKRLbtFK]
Two colors spiral around the center.
Tri-Colors [FkRRLLbTRlfK]
On each face, the corner, side, and center squares are represented by three distinct colors.

You cann apply these moves to the standard 6-color cube to create color patterns, or to the monochrome rectalinear cube to create tactile patterns. On the shape cube, dots presents a central square that extends out from its face, or is recessed into its face. The checkerboard presents squares that rise above or below the background. Stripes are lines that rise above the face, or run below, like a road. And so on.

dots on the shape cube, extended dots on the shape cube, recessed
checkerboard on the shape cube stripes on the shape cube

The slanted cube, with its many triangles, offers an entirely new palette for the artist. Consider this configuration, with its four-fold symmetry. No, it isn't just a few moves from start; I had to build it from scratch.

cube with 4 hills around the top, a solid middle, and four feet below

Here is the slanted cube under the checkerboard transformation. The moves TT and BB are not needed, as the cube retains its 4-fold symmetry. Thus this is just 4 moves from start.

checkerboard pattern on top 8 vertical ridges around

Here are two more patterns that are constructed from scratch. It's fun.

small hills on top, large hills below, view from above small hills on top, large hills below, view from the side
four panels on top of four feet, view from above four panels on top of four feet, view from below
square mid-layer with 4 points above and below, top view square mid-layer with 4 points above and below, front view

I believe this last is especially pretty, to wit I don't particularly want to take it apart. From start, put the thin layer on top, rotate the top corners clockwise, rotate the bottom corners counterclockwise, and adjust the three layers so the pieces line up.

Back to the Rubik home page.