Parametric Modeling with Grasshopper

Summary

Contents Visual Programming with Grasshopper Grasshopper is a visual programming interface for the 3D modeling program Rhinoceros. Rhino uses non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) to precisely, mathematically model geometry. With visual programming, you can algorithmically generate geometry by composing diagrams that link data to functions. An algorithmic approach enables designers to create complex forms and rapidly generate alternative designs. Resources for learning more about Grasshopper include: This tutorial is an introduction to modeling basic geometry - such as points, line, polylines, curves, and surfaces - in Grasshopper. Download the Grasshopper definition for this tutorial as a guide. First start Rhino. Type grasshopper in the Rhino’s command line to launch the visual programming interface. The Grasshopper interface has a menu bar, a toolbar with parameters and components, and a canvas for composing diagrams. Parameters are used to set and store data. Components are functions for performing operations. Drop parameters and components on the canvas and connect them together with wires to create node based diagrams that generate geometry in Rhino. A visual programming diagram composed in Grasshopper generates geometry in Rhino. Points In Cartesian space a point is defined by x, y, and z coordinates. In Grasshopper points can either be constructed from x, y, and z coordinates or drawn in Rhino and referenced in Grasshopper. One way to define a point is with the Construct Point component. Find the Construct Point component in the Points panel of the Vector tab. Drop this component on the canvas. Then add input data for the x, y, and z parameters using Number Slider parameters. Find the Number Slider parameters in the Input panel of the Params tab. Or double click on the canvas to search for a component and then type in either number slider or a value for the slider such as 10. Connect wires from each of the output nodes on the right side of the number slider...