Interesting Topics – Geometric masses for concrete casting, crystalline-like shapes for facades, and parametric steel support structures.
Lesson 1
We worked with metaballs and the basics of grasshopper. _Options is how to change the language.
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
We discussed the construction of a field of points using mathematical functions via the Graph Mapper. It allows you to customize the steps between levels. Instead of making all of them the same distance, the graph mapper can adjust the distance according to the mathematical function graphed. We also looked at creating a randomized field of points with the random function.
The Scripts Rendered Model Process Model
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
We learned how to adjust different sets of data using the dispatch and weave functions. Dispatch separates the data sets and weave combines them. This makes it possible to edit sets of numbers individually. I didn’t understand how it was working and I also couldn’t figure out how to hide the strings for my panels.
Later I learned that the power component uses an exponential formula to grow the building heights in a non-linear pattern.
Lesson 6
We learned about data trees, which organize information in paths, as compared to the list organization. This allows you to access certain sets of data in different indexes rather than specifying the exact data or the exact pattern.
I learned that the flatten tree function allows you to simplify the data by eliminating branches. For example (0, 1) and (0, 2) would just become 1 and 2.
Lesson 7
We learned how to find a point on a surface, select a plane out of a surface, and place elements on a surface. Surfaces can be reparametrized, like lines, in order for sliders from 0 to 1 to reach all points on a surface. I read part of the mode manual for Grasshopper and I feel like I am understanding things better.
Lesson 8
We learned about Kangaroo 2 and how it can create cantenary curves and tensile structures similar to the process behind Gaudi’s works such as Sagrada Familia. I was able to get the grid to follow a gradient but then the mesh would not show up so I reconstructed the script and realized my problem was that one of my buttons was set to the wrong setting.
Lesson 9
This lesson used dendro, weaverbird, and anenome to make a parametric organic shape. I had problems with the vectors because I did not press record data on the loop end. Using charges to develop a mesh pattern could be an interesting idea for a transit hub design because the building will follow the flows of people from one point to another, just as the shape follows the vectors in this design.
Lesson 10
We used galapagos and gene pools to develop a fitness test for placing shapes within a rectangle. This would be useful when laser cutting materials. Another useful application of this would be the placement of an elevator in a building with a complex geometry of solids and voids, where the elevator should only connect the solids.
Lesson 11
We learned about curves and helixes. The wikipedia page really helped me understand the math behind the scripts. It would have also been helpful to watch this video before I made my final tutorial :)
Lesson 12
We learned how to apply grasshopper to sun paths. I could also see this working for wind patterns where terrace barriers respond to vectors which are the “wind”.
