Generative Design Computing

Rhinocerous + Vray: Transparency Mapping

2010-04-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

In this tutorial I cover how to use transparency maps and different texture maps in Rhino with Vray. Transparency maps allow you to produce convincing effects, such as perforation patterns, fritted glass, landscape patterns, etc... quickly for studies or final renderings. Advantages over producing actual geometry are smaller file sizes, lower render times, and quick creation. Disadvantages are that it doesn't actually produce geometry - so can't be used for 3D output or fabrication. For basics on rendering/lighting with vray, check out Karl Daubman's excellent tutorials on the subject @ paramod.net
Total Length: 52.10

Conference Presentation: Assemblies and Aggregations

2010-03-17T12:37:00.000-07:00

Been away from the blog for awhile, as I'm not teaching a computer course this term and working on a couple of competitions - however, I recently attended the ACSA conference in New Orleans, Re-Building, to present a paper on student work in fabrication - from the course Arch 571: Digital Fabrication, conducted in 2008. The projects focused on parametrics and casting in the production of full scale cast units. A copy of the paper can be downloaded through this link. Above are few images of the completed projects. I also recently received a development grant from the University of Michigan to conduct further research in this area. I'll be creating a full scale casting project over the next few months - and will post the developments and results.

Student Work: Arch 591 - Fall 09 - Boards

2009-12-29T19:46:00.000-08:00

Student Work: Arch 591 - Fall 09

2009-12-29T18:33:00.000-08:00

Below are a few of the 3D prints and laser cut models from the final project in the Fall 2009 Generative Design Computing Course. The project was about 3 weeks in duration - the students were asked to design a small pavilion using the parametric modeling techniques explored throughout the term.

Andrey Budzinskiy

Fernando Velho

Xuanru Chen

Victoria Chu

Yu-Ying Tsai

Wenda Sun

Scripted Scalable Truss

2009-12-11T09:54:00.001-08:00

This is a current project I'm playing around with - a scalable truss form - in which the thickness of the surface and the degree of the offset is determined by the distance from the ground plane. This was done in rhinoscript - which I found easier to do than in grasshopper. However, I have a student in studio who has developed a similar system in grasshopper. My plan is to design more complex geometry with the system and more sophisticated levels of control for varying thickness and opening - eventually fabricating a full scale cast construction.

Rhinoscript Work

2009-12-06T16:57:00.000-08:00

A little over a month ago I went to a 3 day workshop in Chicago that was part of the Acadia conference. The workshop was on Rhinoscripting - conducted by the Rhinoscript master Mark Fornes of theverymany. This was actually the second workshop I had taken with Mark - he did a studio at Umich in the winter 2008 and did a scripting workshop then - only it was stretched out over a month with 3hr weekly sessions. I was looking forward to an intensive 8-9hrs a day for 3 days - for better comprehension - and was not disappointed. Below are a few images of some things that came out of the workshop - nothing refined yet - but also an opportunity to play around with vray for rhino - as I usually do most of my rendering in max.

My plan is to do a sort of comparative analysis between rhinoscript and grasshopper. The question being - what is the advantage of learning script if we have tools such as grasshopper and paneling tools - through which we can create similar forms? Which is apparent through some of the examples below. My first conclusion is that understanding - at least some fundamentals of scripting - has helped me comprehend geometry, functionality, and logic of grasshopper to a greater degree - also there is obviously a greater selection of tools available in scripting then in grasshopper - although many you have to run through command lines (not actually part of the script) such as, pipe, patch, and fillet. My intention is to cover scripting in future versions of the Generative Design Computing Class. More scripting stuff to come...

Rhino + Grasshopper: Random Pipe Tower

2009-11-25T10:15:00.000-08:00

Demonstrates how to use a random number generator and the jitter tool to produce a tower of randomly distributed pipes. Also covered is setting up a remote control panel to control sliders from within the rhino interface. Definition here.
Length: 14.03

Rhino + Grasshopper: Variable Component

2009-11-25T08:43:00.000-08:00

Building on the Morph Tile and Conditional definitions I use the measurement of the component area as a method of choosing between an open and closed component. Definition here.
Length: 23.15

Rhino + Grasshopper: Modulation

2009-11-24T07:35:00.001-08:00

Tutorial shows how to use a conditional statement to vary the tile patterning on a surface according to a variable such as sun angle. Definition here.
Length: 21.41

Rhino + Grasshopper: Conditional Statement

2009-11-24T06:44:00.001-08:00

Shows how to create a conditional statement using a simple function and the dispatch tool. Definition here.
Length: 6.52

Rhino + Grasshopper: Attractor Point

2009-11-24T06:16:00.000-08:00

This tutorial builds on the Morph Tile tutorial by showing how to construct the same system using one and two attractor points that effect the thickness of the tile. Download the definition here.
Length:10.58

3D Max: Torus Vault

2009-11-18T12:09:00.001-08:00

This is a down and dirty method of generating a series of continuous vaulted forms that are cut by an external rectangular geometry. This method shows how one can use standard primitives, power boolean, and poly mesh editing together to create more complex forms.
Length: 13.43

Rhino + Grasshopper: Morph Tile

2009-11-12T07:59:00.000-08:00

This tutorial essential demonstrates how to do some of the things you can do with paneling tools - but now in grasshopper parametrically. It uses input geometry and a brep surface with a few of the xform tools to create a variable surface form. Download the definition here.
Length:14.08

Rhino + Grasshopper: Parametric Truss

2009-11-12T07:22:00.001-08:00

This is a remake of David Fano's Parametric Truss tutorial with a few minor changes and varitions. I also demonstrate the inherent problem when baking - If anyone finds a solution - please post in the comments. You can download the definition here. Remember when saving you need to chnage the file ending to ghx from xml.
Length: 29.27

Rhino: Paneling Tools 1

2009-10-28T09:20:00.001-07:00

This tutuorial covers an introduction to Rhinos latest version of the fantastic paneling tools plug-in. Covered are various ways of generating point grids with or without surfaces, generating 2D panels from the paneling tools library, generating custom 2D panels, manipulating the geometry of the point grid manually and with the shuffle tool, generating a backing frame using fin edges, and the planar lips command giving edges to panels after they are unrolled.
Length: 61.04

Rhino: Paneling Tools 2

2009-10-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

This tutorial covers how to create both standard and custom paneled surfaces using paneling tools, how to manipulate the thickness of the surface, and how to save a custom 2D pattern to the default library.
Length: 32.18

Rhino: Paneling Tools 3

2009-10-28T14:10:00.001-07:00

Tutorial covers methodologies of using poly-surfaces with paneling tools plug-in.
Length: 13.11

3D Max: Parametric Panel

2009-10-14T13:15:00.001-07:00

Using wire parameters and an attractor point to vary the opening in a panel system through the control of rotation.
Length: 14.37

3D Max: Wire Parameters + Patch Deform

2009-10-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

Tutorial covers the use of wire parameters to create an attractor point that effects the thickness and appature of a paneled surface. Covered also is the ability to manipulate the surface using the patch deform modifier.

Length: 21.24

3D Max: Parametric Sun Panel

2009-10-14T11:20:00.001-07:00

Tutorial covers the creation of a panel system that is parametrically connected to a sun system. Utilizes the look at constraint, skin modifier, and bones.
Length: 15.14

3D Max: Wire Parameters Basics

2009-10-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

An introduction to wire parameters. How to develop contingent relationships between parameters of seperate objects, i.e. 'wire' them together.
Length: 9.05

3D Max: Look At Constraint

2009-10-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

Using the 'Look At Constraint.' A simple method of linking and controlling arrays of objects with a single object.

3D Max: Lattice Structure

2009-10-14T08:34:00.001-07:00

Tutorial covers two different methods for adding 'structural' depth to a surface structure utilizing some of the methods already presented in addition to the symmetry and lattice modifiers.
Length: 10.10

3D Max: Graphite Modeling Tools (2010)

2009-10-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

In this tutorial I cover some of the new polymesh modeling tools available in the latest version of Max. Covered are: using loops(inserting, moving, removing), selection methods, generating topology, working with (polygons, edges, and borders), quick slice and split command. In addition the modifiers: shell, symmetry, and mesh smooth are used.
Length: 32.24

3D Max: Illustrate!

2009-10-06T08:38:00.001-07:00

This tutorial covers a brief introduction to the plug-in Illustrate! which facilitates the output of vector line files from 3D Max - which can be edited in programs such as illustrator - but also does a a very good job at straight output. A 30 day, full functional, trial version is available at this site.
Length:29.45