When I have a casting, what word would describe its relationship to
its mold?  An opposite replication?  A duplicate opposite?  Help me
out, is there a correct term for this?  Not looking for "mirrored", as
this does not describe its three dimensions.  For example, if I have
an aluminum mold, and I pour lead into this mold to make toy soldiers,
what is the relationship of the soldier to the mold?

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Request for Question Clarification by leapinglizard-ga on 12 Oct 2005 18:34 PDT

A sculptor would say that the mold is the negative. Good enough for you?

leapinglizard

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Request for Question Clarification by leapinglizard-ga on 12 Oct 2005 18:37 PDT

See how the word is used here

http://www.bioweapons.com/ArmorCasting2.htm

and in the second sentence of the following page.

http://www.studiocreations.com/howto/plastermolds/

leapinglizard

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Clarification of Question by happyfisherman-ga on 12 Oct 2005 19:08 PDT

Leaping Lizard........Negative sounds right in the context I need.
I appreciate it!

I'm glad you are pleased with my answer. Bear in mind that the
relationship is symmetrical. The mold is the negative of the toy
soldier, just as the toy soldier is the negative of the mold.

leapinglizard

Very timely answer, thank you

The mold/form is also called or described as a matrix (pl. matrices).
I agree with Leapinglizard that "negative" is possible, as for
example: a three dimensional negative form.
The apparent lack of a patent description, I think, is because the
words mold, form, matrix in relation to casting imply what you want to
describe.

But perhaps we could help you further if you clarify why you are asking.
If, say, you are writing something about the process, I think we could
review a sentence or two of the text.