Tuesday, September 30, 2014

The Evolution of Shell Lace Structure by Tonkin Liu


Tonkin Liu has published a new book titled The Evolution of Shell Lace Structure, coinciding with an exhibition at the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Shell Lace Structure is a tailored, single surface structural technique invented by the London based architecture practice Tonkin Liu. The result of five years of intense practice-based research in collaboration with engineers at Arup, the technique integrates structural principles expressed in 500 million years of variation in shells, the ancient art of tailoring, and cutting edge digital manufacturing technology, resulting in ultra-strong, lightweight, and visually unique architectural structures. 

Book | The Evolution of Shell Lace Structure by Tonkin Liu

RIBA Exhibition | Tonkin Liu: The Evolution of Shell Lace Structure

RIBA | Show & Tell Tuesdays: The Evolution of Shell Lace Structure, 09/09, 30/09, 07/10. Reserve place through Tonkin Liu: press@tonkinliu.co.uk | twitter: @tonkinliu


The exhibition has been extended until October 18th. And there is now a talk at the RIBA on October 7th at 6:15, which can be booked through the RIBA.

Loop: The Environmental Summer Pavilion 2



This interdisciplinary project is the team work of students from the Faculty of Art and Architecture at the TUL in Liberec and the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences at the CZU in Prague, under the leadership of Marie Davidová (FA CTU in Prague / Collaborative Collective), Šimon Prokop (Collaborative Collective) and Martin Kloda (Archwerk). It is the continuation of the project pareSITE, the Environmental Summer Pavilion published here a year ago. Its goal is to evolve the performance of solid pine wood. The PareSITE project was absorbing humidity during the night while evaporating it during hot summer days. The panelling supported this by warping – increasing the humid air circulation. This year's project took the concept further. The panelling was organised spatially. Left and right sides of the panels in tangential section were combined. Thanks to this, as well as the shape of the structure, the pavilion performed much better.

The concept evolved from origami folded ellipse that was 3D scanned and used as a base for a Grasshopper for Rhino 5 model that generated fabrication drawings. The individual pieces for the structure were cut on a Hundegger Speed-Cut 3 CNC saw at Eurodach and the panelling on HOMAG Venture 06S 3-axis milling machine at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences at CZU in Prague, where the structure was also mounted by the students.

The Loop Pavilion served as a meeting point and podium for the EnviroCity festival, creating a pleasant environment for its visitors and presenters.

Grasshopper for Rhino 5 model:

The model was created solely in Grasshopper (and its plug-ins) using only two guiding curves in Rhinoceros 5 taken from the 3D scanner. This helped the team to work on the structure even before the final shape of guiding curves was determined. Due to the spatial organization of panels and the nature of pavilion's construction there was a fair amount of data structure to work with besides the geometry. All the elements were simple planar planks, however, the overall shape is perceived as a double curved surface.

Since the shape was complicated in the terms of statics, the team used a plug-in called Donkey to analyse possible weak spots in the construction. Simultaneously, the joints were analysed in different force constellations to find the optimal positioning of fasteners. Another Grasshopper plug-in, Ladybug, was used to estimate the sun's position and energy gain on each panel on the actual site during the installation period so that the panel size could become another layer of complexity.

All participating students learned Grasshopper basics.

List of participating students:

Alena Novotná, Anna Hrušová, Antonín Hůla, Barbora Slavíčková, Jakub Kopecký, Jiří Fáber, Jiří Pokorný, Petr Tůma, Tereza Jílková, Radim Sýkora, Eliška Antonyová, Tereza Lišková, Filip Janata, Tomáš Kytka, Marie Kortanová, Vojtěch Holeček, Martin Vaníček, Jakub Hlaváček and Petr Havelka

Sponsors:

Stora Enso, Rothoblaas, Nářadí Bartoš, Eurodach, Lesy ČR, Nadace Proměny, Natura Decor


For further information, please follow our blog at http://environmentalpavilion.tumblr.com/ 

Monday, September 29, 2014

Rhino basic and advanced training in Cape Town, South Africa


SimplyRhino South Africa has organized a series of workshops at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town (South Africa):

Simply Rhino Level One (Beginner) 
20, 21, 22 November (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)

This course is for the design professional who is new or nearly new to Rhino and wants to learn the features of Rhino at a moderate pace in an instructor-led environment.

Simply Rhino Level Two (Intermediate/Advanced) 
23, 24 and 25 November (Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday)

The course contains both intermediate and advanced level material and concentrates on explaining NURBS topology in more detail before moving on to practical examples demonstrating efficient modeling techniques, modeling strategy and advanced surfacing.

Friday, September 26, 2014

SimplyRhino UK + Roland DG at TCT Show in Birmingham (UK)

Simply Rhino + Roland DG at TCT Show 2014 
Birmingham, UK
Sep 30-Oct 2, 2014 


Simply Rhino will be at this year's TCT show, September 30th to October 2nd at the NEC in Birmingham. See us on the Roland DG Stand J19.

3D printing, prototyping, product development, scanning and digitizing are the main attractions at this annual exhibition.

We’ll be demonstrating Rhino 5 driving the new 3D printer from Roland DG, the ARM-10, and the desktop mill SRM-20.

Please come and visit us at this large event. We’ll also be showing the popular renderer V-Ray 2.0 for Rhino. 



Thursday, September 25, 2014

Hull Design and Fairing Training for Professionals in the Netherlands


Hull Design and Fairing Training for Professionals Level 1 & 2
RhinoCentre NL, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
Oct 13-16, 2014

Ships – Yachts – Workboats – Multihulls
Goal: Design high quality hulls with Rhino fast and flexible

Rhino enables accurate, flexible, and fair hull design with the
Rapid Hull Modeling Methodology. This method is developed by RhinoCentre in cooperation with other professionals in the marine industry. After years of offering training and services to leading companies in the marine industry worldwide, RhinoCentre finally developed the unique training modules: Prepare2d input and Hull Design and Fairing Level-1 and Level-2.

These three modules are now combined in three days of training that unveil the mystery of Class-A fairing to any designer, naval architect, or shipyard. One free extra day enables you to work on your own project under our assistance.
You decide which program makes you successful and productive:
  1. Hull design and fairing Training Level 1 & 2 and Work on your project
  2. Feedback support on your work
  3. Project support for your business
Trainer: Gerard Petersen is naval architect, founder of RhinoCentre and has used Rhino since 2001 in his projects in the most integrated way. Petersen developed hull design and fairing skills to be able to develop innovative concepts with unique hull shapes like the integrated trimaran Kenau. The trimaran project proved that Rhino is a professional tool to turn an idea into reality.

Language: English


Metallic Freeform Structures workshop - Athens, Greece


Faberarium workshop: 
Metallic Freeform Structures
Athens, Greece

Phase I: September 27-28
Phase II: October 3-5
Phase III: October 10-12
Conference : October 16

During the  workshop, we will investigate the concepts and the design techniques for the development of a coherent design methodology which challenge the traditional perception of the object by raising an open framework for thinking about design as a way of accumulation of different possibilities. We will explore how the design intentions and strategies can be embedded deeply in the formation of design, through a set of local interactions, geometrical systems and surfaces. The participants will explore the creative potential of the emerging and dynamic phenomena through the use of a series of algorithmic strategies (Grasshopper + plug-ins) for interactive simulation and design optimization. Having  the opportunity to experiment with a range of computational tools we will design and fabricate a small pavilion focusing on the properties of aluminum profiles and Etalbond composite material to demonstrate in an artistic way the construction logic of a sustainable and energy saving facade system. The goal of the workshop is to combine technological precision and creativity and connect the architects with the local industries and companies which provide the material and machinery. The contemporary digital fabrication techniques and the case of CNC (computer numerical control) machines, provide effective connection between design and production and enable the construction of projects into scale 1:1.


Complete details and registration at http://faberarium.org/ 

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The Louvre in Abu Dhabi



Recently, at the F#unctional Londoners meetup group, Goswin Rothenthal presented how he used F# application scripting to construct an associative digital 3D model for the cladding of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Dome. The F#unctional Londoners is a newly launched meetup group whose purpose is to bring together Londoners with an interest in functional programming with F#.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi was designed by the architect Jean Nouvel. The complex dome construction is contracted to the Austrian steel specialist, Waagner Biro.

The geometric openings in the dome were inspired by the interlaced palm leaves traditionally used in roofing material. For the cladding of this dome more than 450,000 individual cutting and drilling patterns of custom aluminum extrusions were described and automated. Goswin Rothenthal developed an F# application to represent and organize all the dome's cladding elements. He used Rhino and its .NET API to host the F# DLL for drawing and visualization. With this, they had an integrated work flow in a single parametric model, from the main geometry set down to the manufacturing data.

Read more on the architecture of the Louvre Abu Dhabi ....


Thursday, September 18, 2014

New! Rhino 5 for Mac Online Training



Level 1 Rhino 5 for Mac Online Training
October 1-8, 2014

This is our first official Rhino 5 for Mac training. Please join us and help shape the future of Rhino 5 for Mac training. Sign up for our first class and receive the $99 promotional price.
  • Orientation: Wednesday, October 1 (9 am - 11 am Pacific)
  • Training: Thursday/Friday, October 2-3 and Monday-Wednesday, October 6-8
    (9 am -1 pm Pacific)
Details:
  • You will need the latest Rhino 5 for Mac version installed. Rhino 5 for Windows will not be acceptable for this class.
  • You will need a stable and fast Internet connection.
  • You will need the Rhino 5 Level 1 Training Guide and Models as well as the Rhino 5 for Mac User Guide. You may print the PDF for your reference. Download here.

Break your arm, print a cast


If you break your arm and need a cast you typically have friends write personal messages on the cast. Now there's an app for that: app #CAST, created by the FATHOM design team.  But instead of a plaster cast covered with ink, the messages form the cast itself.

The messages are gathered from personal wishes collected through social networks. The arm (or leg) is scanned. The characters are fit to form the custom cast. The unique cast is printed in breathable nylon material and delivered to the medical facility to be fitted there. To see this process watch the video.

FATHOM creates denser letter groups around the break, where more support is needed, and creates airier sections where support is less critical. This flexibility to customize the cast density creates a breathable, lighter, and all around more comfortable cast. And it's built out of personal messages.

Rhino was used to experiment with different methods of translating the text to the case surface.

Interview with Ava DeCapri, CAST industrial designer...

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

RhinoFabStudio at IBEX 2014



IBEX - International Boatbuilders' Exhibition & Conference
September 30 – October 2, 2014
Tampa Convention Center, - Tampa, Florida

IBEX is partnering with Robert McNeel & Associates, Miami's RhinoFabStudio, and DRS Technologies, Inc. for a not-to-miss event. Together, they have created the Advanced Marine Technology Center to offer live demonstrations and educational workshops for IBEX attendees on 3D printing, CNC and laser cutting, and scanning technologies applicable to the marine industry. They will also feature Rhino 5, Orca3D, and several products that RhinoFabStudios use. These include RhinoCAM, Grasshopper, Paneling Tools, and many more

Stop by for the ongoing  IBEX 3D Digital Workshop, located on the 2nd floor of the Tampa Bay Convention Center, Stands: #2315 and #2414. Come visit us to see 3D printing by Prototyping Solutions, laser cutting by ESS, and CNC machining by ShopBot. Be sure to bring marine parts or a computer model for expert advice on solving your challenging problems in design, manufacturing, repair, and quality. 
    
For more information, go to RhinoFabStudio, or contact Jackie Nasser at McNeel Miami: Tel: (305) 513-4445

Monday, September 15, 2014

AAG 2014 London - Last chance to register to the conference and workshops

London, UK
September 18-21, 2014

Advances in Architectural Geometry (AAG) is a symposium where theoretical and practical work linked to new geometrical developments are presented. This symposium gathers the diverse components of contemporary architecture which push the building envelope towards free form and respond to the multiple current design challenges. It involves architects, engineers, mathematicians, software designers, and contractors. It connects researchers from architectural and engineering practices, academia, and industry. AAG has become a reference in the professional field and is supported by the direct participation of the most renowned architectural design and engineering offices, along with academic laboratories.

The current edition, the fourth, will be held in London. 

Conference: September 18-19, 2014

Workshops: September 20-21, 2014

The event consists of two days of presentations of papers, followed by two days of hands-on workshops 
(including GrasshopperRhinoPythonRhinoCommonKangarooKarambaRoboFold plug-insEvoluteSpiderWebSyntactic and Configurbanist). 

Participants, teachers, students, and professionals will learn and experiment with new technologies and practices reflected in the themes tackled during the symposium.

Friday, September 12, 2014

SmartForm, new add-on for Grasshopper




SmartForm is a new real-time shape optimization and sculptural design tool for Grasshopper.

Developed by the Smart Space team at BuroHappold, SmartForm is a suite of tools to rapidly model, analyze and optimize complex free-form shapes found in modern architecture. It has the following components:

  • SmartForm: optimize a complex form in real time
  • SmartFormAnalyser: rapidly analyze a form and panelisation scheme for a variety of parameters like planarity, distortion, etc.
  • SmartClustering: an innovative tool that reduces the amount of unique panels and nodes within a given form.

Rhino/Orca3D training in Antibes, France


Rhino + Orca3D training
Antibes, France
30 September-2 October, 2014
    
A 3-day Rhino + Orca3D training will be held at NDAR offices in Antibes from 30 September to 2 October 2014.

Instructors are Vanessa STEEG and Stéphane DARDEL. The course will be held in English. Other languages will be supported (French, Italian).

The course is intended for naval architects and ship and boat designers, with a good knowledge of Rhino. Syllabus covers:
  • Rhino 5 user interface and customization
  • Foundations of modeling and fairing  techniques
  • Hull assistant
  • Background bitmap
  • Surface creation and modification
  • Point control
  • Surface analysis
  • Hydrostatic calculations
  • Real-time hydrostatics
  • Stability with criteria verification
  • If time allows, topics suggested by participants towards the end of Day 3

Course fees are 650€/day. Lunch will be provided.  Advance payment of the fee is required to confirm registration.

Participants should have Rhino 5 SR9 and Orca3D latest Release (v1.3) or WIP installed on their laptops.

For more information and registration, please contact ndar@ndar.com

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Bongo 2.0 Service Release 4 now available



Bongo 2.0 SR4 is now available from:
The complete list of bug fixes and changes can be find found here.
Enjoy!

Online Level 2 Rhino begins next week


Image credit: Kyle Houchens, The Outside

Our Level 2 Rhino 5 online course begins next week. The class is scheduled for September 15-25. We have a few seats still available if you'd like to register. The course will consist of seven sessions, a brief orientation on Monday followed by six half-days of Rhino 5 training.

Dates/Times:
  • Orientation: Monday, September 15, 9:00AM -10:30AM
  • Training: Tuesday-Thursday, September 16-18 and 23-25, 9:00AM - 1:00PM
    Note: All times listed are Pacific time zone. Calculate your time zone.
All sessions are instructor-led and will be recorded for later viewing.  If you cannot make a session, watch the video and catch up before the class meets again.

HatchKit 2014 for Rhino - New hatch pattern editor

What does HatchKit 2014 for Rhino do?
  • creates and edits hatch patterns with Rhino pattern format
  • can be installed on three machines
  • attaches to each machine
  • allows reinstallation to the same machine
  • will not install on a virtual machine or Windows Server
  • prohibits sale of patterns or pattern libraries
Demonstration download...

Friday, September 5, 2014

Welcome to Rhino 5 for Mac




Join us for a webinar on September 12

Space is limited. Reserve your webinar seat now!





Kyle Houchens of The Outside Design Digital Design will introduce you to the basics of modeling in Rhino for Mac. Kyle will show you how to design and model a water bottle completely in Rhino for Mac. Rhino tips and tricks will be covered throughout the presentation.

The presentation will take approximately 1 hour, and questions will be taken at the end.

The presentation will be recorded.

Please email Mary Fugier if you have any questions.

Welcome to Rhino for Mac
Friday, September 12, 2014
9 am - 11 am PDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

System requirements

PC-based attendees - Required: Windows® 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Mac®-based attendees - Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer

Mobile attendees - Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet

HILA pavilion in Kiikeli island, Oulu, Finland


University of Oulu students in collaboration with DigiWoodLab project
Kiikeli island, Oulu, Finland
2014

HILA pavilion is part of the summer workshop series at the University of Oulu, Faculty of architecture. The students of architecture created the concept and constructed HILA at the Kiikeli island, located right in front of the city center, in summer of 2014.

Hila pavilion is a synthesis of a three dimensional wooden lattice structure (hila in Finnish) and architecture, in which the rectangular base form is carved by a freeform inner void. The revealed wooden structure creates a lace-like appearance inside the pavilion, which is amplified by the complex shadows it forms. Viewed from inside, the openings on the sides of the pavilion frame beautiful views towards the river delta area, and the pavilion itself is shown as a prominent landmark towards the city.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

d2 Conference in Vienna - A focus on architectural visualization


Vienna, Austria
September 13-14, 2014

Organized by the visualization office BüroWHAT!, the d2 Conference is an event specifically designed for the ever-growing international architectural visualization community.

Now in its second year (previously known as symp.in), the d2 Conference aims to build on last year's success. With international visitors coming from over 15 countries, the d2 Conference is one of the most successful visualization events held in the Austrian capital. A fantastic lineup of tutors and VIP designers will meet to share ideas, tips and tricks, as well as discuss their professional experience in the field of visualization.

Representatives from some of the most well-known software companies will also be on hand and will be giving demonstrations and workshops throughout both event days in our separate workshop area. Feel free to come by to see what the future of 3D software holds. Or just stop by to say hi and grab a sandwich and a coffee.