JCK Las Vegas show opens Friday

JCK 2012 - Las Vegas
June 1-4, 2012
Booth B6285

The jewelry industry's premier event of the year begins on Friday.  Thousands of industry experts and users attend this show every year.  Stroll the exhibition floor and see what's new.

Be sure to stop by and visit Rhino partner TDM Solutions, makers of RhinoGold, in CADBlu's Booth B6285.  They are launching a new product, Clayoo!

Details...

Industrial Design Software Poll

There is an interesting poll on LinkedIn for industrial designers.

What 3D software do you use primarily?

Check it out...

Bongo 2.0 Beta 11 now available

You are invited to try the Bongo 2.0 animation plug-in for Rhino 4.0 and 5.
This is the 11th Beta version of Bongo 2.0 for Rhino 4.0 and 5.

The beta is open for all Rhino users!

Download Bongo 2.0 Beta 11 from here.

Neon 1.0 Beta 6 Now Available

Hi all!

There's a new Neon!

http://download.rhino3d.com/Neon/1.0/beta/download/

We've fixed several crash bugs that were in Beta 5, and we hope that Neon should be running both fast and stable.  In addition, this beta includes a couple of minor optimizations that should make it even snappier than Beta 5.
Here's a list of changes since Beta 5.

Features

• Speed improvement for models with many mesh quads • Shader compile speed improvement

Bug Fixes

• Fixes Basic material not compiling properly if there is a texture in the environment slot • Neon no longer listens to events if it is not turned on.
• Fixes crash bug related to light/material updates.
• Fixes crash bug with too many GI rays being produced in certain scenes.

Enjoy!

Design job at Tiffany & Co

Tiffany & Co is seeking to fill the position of Manager - Technical Design.

The Manager – Technical Design will oversee all aspects related to the Technical Design group within the Design Department including the creation of technical artwork, creation and maintenance of design specifications, identification and implementation of design technologies and management of Technical Design team.

Requirements:
The ideal candidate will have a BFA, MFA or equivalent degree with 5+ years professional experience as a Technical Designer within the jewelry industry and expertise in Rhino 3D, Adobe CS5, KeyShot 3 and V-Ray.

Details and application information...

Complex relationships in museum architecture

Natural light washes the stone interior walls.

Louisiana State Museum and Sports Hall of Fame is designed with 1150 unique stone panels, each with its own set of custom connections.

Located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, the museum, with its fluid spaces, was designed by Trahan Architects in coordination with Method Design and CASE.

Custom tools were developed to coordinate the geometrical relationships. Key to this process was the programming environment of Grasshopper, Karamba, and Geometry Gym, which operated in parallel with Robot structural analysis software and SDS/2 for steel detailing. With this, Method Design developed a system with a feedback response loop and transferred geometrical data across the multiple software.

The result was a fully detailed model of every structural member, support, and connection used to fabricate and install the steel supports and cast stone connections.

David Stasiuk of Method Design commented, "Grasshopper has been the primary design tool for our part in this project's development. Even the parts that are more 'hand' drawn rely heavily on Grasshopper to extract useful information about orientations and then to instantiate those elements of the design that couldn't be generated fully by algorithm."

Details in Arch Daily . . . 

Deadline for TEX-FAB submissions, June 2nd

The deadline for TEX-FAB design competition submissions is only two weeks away.  All submissions must be received by June 2nd.

Enter now...

INSITU Medellín workshop, June 4-10

INSITU Medellín
June 4-10, 2012
Pontificia Bolivariana University
Medellín, Colombia

uA collective, Blokcad Lab and the Pontificia Bolivariana University Medellín are excited to announce an upcoming collaborative workshop, INSITU Medellín. Lead by uA collective and Blokcad Lab, INSITU is a week-long workshop for architecture students and professionals in Medellín, Colombia, that will investigate how ceramic materials can merge with new technologies to create small-scale interventions that influence urban space.

At a material level, participants will explore Blokcad Lab’s innovative process of repurposing masonry construction waste material. At a computational level, participants will explore their designs through Rhino and Grasshopper. And at the center, participants will actualize and realize their designs through the use of multi-axis milling machines.

Details and registration...

Parametric workshop in Argentina, May 29

Atractores Parametricos
May 29-June 21, 2012
Mendoza, Argentina

Using Grasshopper, Rhino, and V-Ray, participants will develop digital workflow techniques.  Topics include:

• 3D modeling techniques and advanced photorealistic images
• Proliferation in complex topologies displayed by definitions
• Mapping strategies and evolutionary analysis in realtime
• Predefined criteria links

This workshop is primarily aimed at architects, industrial designers, interior designers, related professionals as well as design students.

Details and registration...

Procedural architecture

Procedural architecture: resolution in the age of meta-digital
Date: May 25 - July 1
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei

This exhibition shows the results of the workshop – 3 teams from NCTU IAR and ETH CAAD designed and built 3 experimental “Teahouses” taking advantage of digital technologies – and recent projects of educational activities of each school. Through examples of process and results of actual materialization of digitally designed artifacts, visitor shall be able to sense what is really happening in and fundamentally changing the world of architectural design.

Symposium
May 26-27, 2012, 13:00-18:00
MOCA Taipei Activity Hall

More detail...

Algomad 2012 - Madrid

Algomad 2012
June 21-23
Madrid (Spain)

Algomad 2012 is a No-Experience-Required short workshop on generative tools and information workflows for architects and engineers. It focuses on form, structure and performance as main topics to follow during 3 days of Grasshopper/Rhino/Revit/Scripting training.

Info and registration at www.algomad.org

Car Design with Rhino workshop in Barcelona

Car Design with Rhinoceros
Barcelona (Spain)
July 23-25

This course is oriented to designers and concept modelers who wish to interact with their creations in a friendly and enriching manner.

This 3-day workshop will provide the students with all the understanding needed to create and easily interact with their concepts using all the potential Rhino and VSR can offer. During this course, students will learn the main concepts of car design and how to implement them to improve their concepts into the 3D environment. The participants will learn how to generate, edit, and evaluate their models in a simplified manner. This will let them concentrate on the really important part of their creations: the design.


- Instructor: Jorge Biosca
- Language: English
- Cost: Students 395€ / Professionals 495€ (early bird price until June 30)

Complete details and registration...

Jamparc, new plugin for Rhino 4 SR9

Jamparc is a new plugin for Rhino 4 SR9 developed by Jam Parc, an associate manager at Heerim Architects & Planners in Seoul, Korea. Jamparc includes special commands for SketchUp, layer management, and architectural tools. You can download it for free at his blog.

Details and download...

The Layer Chair and the Fab Lab Sevilla

Jens Dyvik, currently on a Fab Lab world tour to research personal manufacturing and open source design, has been kind enough to share his Layer Chair design (Grasshopper definition, Rhino model, and fabrication instructions).

If you happen to be in Sevilla, don't miss his exhibition as part of his experience at the Fab Lab Sevilla. The opening party takes place on Thursday 24th May at 20h at Lugadero space (Sevilla).

New RhinoFabLab at Univ of Minnesota

Design@UMN - The University of Minnesota College of Design's Digital Fabrication Lab is a state-of-the-art digital prototyping and fabrication facility which provides digital tools that allow students to practice and explore iterative design thinking, the heart of design education. From conceptual explorations to hands-on prototyping, the lab expands design thinking and design making in the college. Join us in welcoming the College of Design's Digital Fabrication Lab to our growing group of Authorized RhinoFabLabs.



What is a RhinoFabLab?
A RhinoFabLab™ (fabrication laboratory) is a small-scale digital workshop, certified by McNeel, with an array of Rhino and Rhino compatible software and computer controlled tools and training. These tools cover the various leading-edge industrial methods and materials needed to design, analyze, and fabricate almost anything.

Grasshopper workshop in Mexico City

Dimension N has announced a third workshop in their Rhino/Grasshopper workshop series.  The workshop will cover basic principles and organic modeling in Rhino.  Using Grasshopper, participants will learn about parametrics, analysis, paneling, and digital manufacturing processes for laser cutting and CNC.

Dates: May 22 - June 21, 2012
Times: Tuesday & Thursday evenings
Location: Mexico City

Details and registration...

Digital Fabrication workshops at Ilan Dei Studio

Ilan Dei Studio has posted a series of Digital Fabrication events and workshops. Check out their current schedule.

Digital Fabrication with Furniture Making
May 22-23

Day 1: Precision modeling for fabrication

• Precision modeling of the classic chair design
• Modeling for milling – curves, surfaces, and complex surfaces
• Taking the 3D model to 2D for nesting
• Properly nesting all the parts
• Exporting toolpaths

Day 2: Machine set up, jigging and cutting

• Set up machines
• Set up jigs
• Cutting each part
• Finishing and post processing with CNC

Digital Fabrications: Strategies for Design, June 19-20
or
Digital Fabrication: Strategies for Design, July 24-25

Using Rhino modeling and CAD/CAM software, participants will explore the various methods of digital fabrication and how it affects the design process based on those guidelines. The five scenarios that dictate the fabrication process are Slice, Fold, Tile, Skin, and Carve.

Details and registration...

Eat-a-bug: RhinoVAULT Beta released!

Eat-a-bug: RhinoVAULT Beta released!: The BLOCK Research Group is pleased to announce the prerelease of RhinoVAULT Beta V0.2! The current version is now freely available to download. The Rhinoceros® plugin emerged from current research on structural form finding based on the Thrust-Network-Approach to intuitively create and explore compression-only structures.

ParametricCamp Tour 2012

ParametricCamp Tour 2012

ParametricCamp is a five-day intensive workshop on parametric design and advanced computational techniques, focusing on creativity in design and architecture. It is a unique event in computational design, oriented to bring participants a deep insight into the fundamental concepts and techniques of parametric thinking, algorithmic processes and generative modeling.

In ParametricCamp we gather students and professional from different fields to debate, interexchange ideas and collaborate in projects researching the relation between algorithmic thinking processes and architecture, graphic, industrial and product design.

ParametricCamp is back on tour this summer, and will be visiting the following destinations:

Paris, June 4-8
Milan, June 11-15
Berlin, June 18-22
Istanbul, June 25-29
Madrid, July 2-6
Seville, July 9-13
Malaga, July 16-20
Granada, July 23-27

Registration is now open, with reduced inscription fees for students and our own scholarship program.

More information at http://www.parametriccamp.com/en/ or www.facebook.com/ParametricCamp

High tech tools for low tech climate control

Francis Kere Architecture took advantage of high tech software to provide low-cost low-tech climate control for an African school in the town of Gando. Using AutoCAD and Rhino, they designed the secondary school with a passive ventilation system. The design successfully dropped the indoor temperatures by 5 degrees Celsius.

For details see AECCafe . . . .

Savannah College of Art and Design furniture industry conference

The Savannah College of Art and Design furniture design department is partnering with the American Society of Furniture Designers to host a two-day furniture industry conference intended to inspire creativity and intellect among professionals and students.

• Day one of the summit will focus on digital design, giving professionals access to an array of professors, students and outside vendors who will demonstrate how technology enhances the design process.

• Day two will feature lectures and panel discussions from top industry talent.

To register . . . 

PanelingTools for Grasshopper and Rhino 5 Beta

A new release of PanelingTools for Grasshopper (PT-GH) in Rhino 5 Beta was posted with many new components and bug fixes. PT-GH is an extension of PanelingTools plug-in for Rhino that supports parametric design of cellular patterns and surface rationalization. Check details from here...

Rhino job: plug-in developer in Italy

Re:Lab s.r.l. (Reggio Emilia - Italy) seeks a programmer with experience in C++, Python and/or .NET for the development of a new Rhino plug-in.

Details... 

Rhino Job in L.A.: SYNTHESIS Design + Architecture

SYNTHESIS Design + Architecture is seeking talented, motivated, and personable interns to join our Los Angeles team for the summer.

We are an enthusiastic and emerging design office with a growing portfolio of projects.  Current comissions include a 5,000sqm visitor center in Quanzhou, China, a 12,000 sqm lifestyle center in Bangkok, Thailand, and a 64,000 sqm shopping center in Phuket, Thailand.

The selected candidate will support all design teams with 3D modeling, drawing, and physical modeling/prototyping.

Requirements:

• Must currently hold or be in pursuit of a B. Arch or M. Arch degree.
• Excellent design sensibility, communication skills and personal initiative are desired.
• Expertise in Rhino, AutoCAD, and Illustrator are required.
• Proficiency in Grasshopper, Kangaroo, Hoopsnake, RhinoScript, VB or Python is a bonus.
• Familiarity with digital fabrication protocols (3D printing, CNC milling, and laser cutting) is beneficial.
• A perfect fit – We are looking to expand our team – not fill holes.  We want to know why your architectural and design interests and aspirations align with ours and how.
• Must be a US Citizen or hold a US working or student visa.
• Must be a Los Angeles resident or able to relocate to Los Angeles for the entire summer.

Please send a CV, portfolio, and a cover letter which addresses the requirements listed above to studio@synthesis-dna.com

Note: Due to the overwhelming number of applications for this post, we are unable to respond to all applicants.

RoboFold Summer Workshop in London

Robofold Summer Workshop
Facade Design and Build:
Grasshopper | Metal | Robots
June 9-12, London

The RoboFold Facade Design and Build is a four-day intensive workshop, exploring the RoboFold fabrication process for 1:1 components and assemblies. The event will be held in London at the RoboFold factory/studio from June 9th-12th. Workshop participants will investigate the design of facade forms in paper and card, and transfer these to Rhino's Grasshopper plug-in to simulate folding and robotics. Using the in-house CNC vinyl cutter and CNC router, various scale prototypes will be folded by hand and by robot. The final 1:1 facade will be formed using 6-axis industrial robots.

Details:

• Tutors: Gregory Epps, RoboFold founder and Florent Michel, RoboFold software developer.
• See previous workshops here. 
• Download the poster here.
• No previous experience with Grasshopper necessary.
• Location details here. 
• Drinks reception Tuesday evening.

Dates:

17th April: Registration opens.
4th June: Registration closes.

Complete info and registration: www.robofold.com

MCDC // Master Computational Design and Construction

MCDC // Master Computational Design and Construction
Detmolder Schule für Architektur und Innenarchitektur (Germany)

This new post-graduate Master program focuses on digital design methods and construction technologies in Architecture, Engineering and Design.

The curriculum provides scientific and practical foundation and gives an overview of latest developments in computational design and construction.

Digital technologies altered the field of architecture and the architectural profession significantly – from design to production. Against this background the study program incorporates the professional qualities of higher architectural education as well as the theoretic and operative aspects of information technology.

The three-semester Master program addresses graduates of architecture, interior and product design, civil and mechanical engineering, as well as information technology and related studies. Cooperative projects, symposia and master theses serve as a platform for collaborations with the building industry, software suppliers, other universities and architectural offices.

The participation is limited to 15 candidates. Application deadline is June 30th, 2012. Admittance follows an evaluation of the application dossier.

For further information, please visit www.m-cdc.de

RhinoHyd - Ship analysis plugin

RhinoHyd is a Rhino plugin that calculates intact statical stability, curves of form, and cross curves of stability. The ship to be analyzed is picked directly from Rhino and automatically meshed. The user may adjust the mesh parameters in realtime and view the mesh in the display. After an analysis has been performed, the ship, along with the plotted results, may be animated. RhinoScripters may interact with RhinoHyd and program their own analysis by using the exposed stability and curves of form functions.

Details and to purchase RhinoHyd...

Scan&Solve webinar: Structural simulation for beginners

Friday, May 4, 2012 9 AM-11 AM PDT

If you are not sure what structural simulation can do for you or do not know where to start, this webinar is for you. Structural simulation has never been easier. Join this webinar to learn the basic concepts behind structural simulation. Discover how easy it is to perform basic structural testing and simulation in Rhino using Scan&Solve™. No previous experience with engineering, analysis, or simulation is required.

Register today...