This is the most direct and quickest method for constructing an eight salient star, but like most stars it requires two separate constructions to complete. This star begins with the construction of a square and basically takes that square and starts adding angles to the sides: no indentions that reduce the interior area of the outline are required. Eight salient stars of this ilk were used with some regularity by military engineers from the sixteenth through the middle period of the nineteenth century as outlines for detached field fortifications.

Given a square that has sides 9 inches long and a perimeter of 36 inches, construct an eight salient star that has alternating 60 and 90 degree salient angles. Note that each angle of the square measures 90 degrees and each will form one of the star's salient angles.

Trisect each side of the square. In this case the 9 inch long sides are easily trisected into three segments that are each 3 inches long. Pay particular attention to the accuracy of the center sections (A A', B B', C C', and E, E'); these will be used in the next step to construct equilateral triangles.

Construct equilateral triangles on the center segments of each of the square's four sides. Since the angles of all equilateral triangles measures 60 degrees, the salient of each constructed triangle forms one of the star's 60 degree salient angles.

Erasing the now superfluous construction lines and marks and hacking away the base of each equilateral triangle on the sides of the square reveals an eight salient star with alternating 60 and 90 degree salient angles.

~ An Instructive Animation Wherein the Foregoing Construction is Visually Explained ~