Advanced Grasshopper + PluginsTutor: Arthur Mani AAdipl. ARB RIBAEmail: arthur.mani@simplyrhino.co.ukWebsite: arthurmani.com

Outline & Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide an in-depth understanding of parametric modelling using Grasshopper and its numerous free and open-source plugins with an Architectural application. You will learn to link your models to environmental and structural simulations, connect them to other platforms, give them physical properties and create feedback loops to optimize and generate an unexpected, responsive and optimized design. Please refer to appendix for a description of each plugin mentioned below.

Day 1

Designing with simple feedback loops using Galapagos and Hoopsnake.

Mesh sub-division with Weaverbird.

Environmental feedback with Geco and Diva.

Components linked to Solar Radiation using GECO. Work by Kengo Skorick and Arthur Mani for London Metropolitan University More details: http://arthurmani.com/?p=502

Day 2

Applying physical properties using Kangaroo Physics.

Linking a parametric model to structural analysis using Karamba and SSI Geometry Gym.

Optimize Position and Orientation of Objects using RhinoNest.

Fabric Simulation using Kangaroo Work by Jack Munro, Toby Burgess and Arthur Mani for Westminster University More details: http://wewanttolearn.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/membrane-bunching/

Day 3

Exchanging information between Grasshopper and other applications using Ghowl.

Introduction to VB.net, C# and Python scripting components in Grasshopper.

Free-form geodesic gridshell using VB.net for Grasshopper Work by Hyunbai Jun and Arthur Mani for Proctor and Matthews Architect More details: http://arthurmani.com/?p=131

Appendix

Description of each plugin mentioned above by the different developers.

Grasshopper

For designers who are exploring new shapes using generative algorithms, Grasshopper is a graphical algorithm editor tightly integrated with Rhino’s 3-D modelling tools. Unlike RhinoScript, Grasshop-per requires no knowledge of programming or scripting, but still allows designers to build form generators from the simple to the awe-inspiring.

Developer: David RuttenDownload: http://download.rhino3d.com/Grasshopper/1.0/wip/download/

Galapagos

The term “Evolutionary Computing” may very well be widely known at this point in time, but they are still very much a programmers tool. ‘By programmers for programmers’ if you will. The applica-tions out there that apply evolutionary logic are either aimed at solving specific problems, or they are generic libraries that allow other programmers to piggyback along. It is my hope that Galapagos will provide a generic platform for the application of Evolutionary Algorithms to be used on a wide variety of problems by non-programmers. For more information on the concept behind Galapagos, please go to the Evolutionary Principles applied to Problem Solving article.

Developer: David Rutten Download: Galapagos is available in the current Grasshopper build.

Hoopsnake

HoopSnake, apart from a legendary creature, is simple component for Grasshopper. What it does in principle is to create a copy of the data it receives at it’s input upon user request and store it locally. This duplicate is made available through a standard Grasshopper parameter output. What turns this operation from mundane to actually promising is the fact that the input of the component includes some custom programming to escape Grasshopper’s recursive loop avoidance check. What this means in practice is that it is possible through the use of HoopSnake to send the output of a set of components back to it’s input in a looping fashion. With the help of a little bit of Data Tree / Data List manipulation, this should open up some new possibilities for iterative process modeling.”

Developer: Yiannis Chatzikonstantinou (volatile prototypes)Download: http://www.volatileprototypes.com/projects/hoopsnake/

Weaverbird

WeaverBird is the plug-in for topological transformations in Rhino and Grasshopper. It now supports colors and texture coordinates. It helps inventing, smoothing, modifying, thickening and preparing meshes for rapid manufacturing technologies.

Developer: Giulio PiacentinoDownload: http://www.giuliopiacentino.com/weaverbird/

Geco

Geco is a set of components which establish a live link between Rhino/Grasshopper and Autodesk Ecotect to export, evaluate and import...

Developers: Thomas Grabner and Ursula Frick [uto] Download: http://www.utos.blogspot.com/p/downloads.html

DIVA

DIVA-for-Rhino is a plugin which runs thermal, daylight, solar radiation, and glare simulations. Our goal is to bring validated environmental simulations directly to the conceptual design environments of Rhino and GH without going through the black box of third party software.

Developer: Jeff NiemaszDownload: http://www.diva-for-rhino.com/download.html

Kangaroo Physics

Kangaroo is a Live Physics engine for interactive simulation, optimization and form-finding directly within Grasshopper.

Developer: Daniel PikerDownload: http://www.food4rhino.com/project/kangaroo

Karamba

Karamba interactively calculates the statical response of three dimensional beam structures under the action of external loads.

Developer: Clemens Preisinger in cooperation with Bollinger-Grohmann-Schneider ZTGmbH Vienna.Download: http://www.food4rhino.com/project/karamba

Geometry Gym

BIM and Structure modelling in Grasshopper/Rhino, and Computational Geometry Tools such as mesh relaxation/inflation and grid tools.”

Developer: Jon MirtchinDownload: http://www.geometrygym.com/downloads

Ghowl

gHowl is a set of components which extend Grasshopper’s ability to communicate and exchange information with other applications and physical devices. Users have connected Rhino and Grass-hopper to various protocols, platforms, and softwares including

ProcessingExcelOpen OfficeRSSArduinoKinectReactivisionopenFrameworksGoogle EarthResolumeVVVVPure Datamax/mspMayaKangarooTouchOSCiPhoneAndroid”

Developers: Luis Fraguada, Giulio Piacentino and Damien AlomarDownload: http://www.grasshopper3d.com/group/ghowl

RhinoNest

RhinoNest is a nesting software for Rhinoceros. We understand Nesting as the optimization and ori-entation of objects to save material. RhinoNest allows us to optimise the position and orientation for cutting material in different sectors, as well as architecture, sculpture, carpentry, furniture-making, metalwork, shoes, glass cutting, marine, posters, modelling. RhinoNest is fully integrated in Rhinoc-eros, thus allowing for optimization in minutes without the need for imports from different pro-grammes or the need for conversions as it supports all geometry types.

Developers: Rafael Del MolinoDownload: http://www.rhinonest.com/