FlexHopper for Grasshopper Training - June 6-8 at McNeel Europe (Barcelona)

FlexHopper for Grasshopper Training by Benjamin Felbrich
June 6-8, 2018
10.00h - 18.00h
McNeel Europe S.L.
Roger de Flor, 32-34 bajos
08018 Barcelona (Spain)

McNeel Europe welcomes Benjamin Felbrich, author of FlexHopper and research associate at ICD Stuttgart, to tutor a three-day workshop at our Barcelona offices.

FlexHopper brings particle-based physics simulation in Rhino and Grasshopper to the next level by making use of massively parallel GPU computation. Based on the patented unified particle engine NVIDIA Flex, it offers the simulation rigid/deformable bodies, particles, fluids, phase transitions, massive spring systems, cloth, inflatables and gases and allows for interaction between those material systems.

In this three-day workshop participants acquire an in-depth understanding of FlexHopper. After an introduction to particle-based physics simulation and GPU computation in general, a set of specific architecture-oriented examples covering the full range of FlexHopper’s functionality will be collectively established and explained in detail. This includes the simulation of the material systems as well as custom defined constraints, setting up the simulation environment, tuning the simulation parameters and optimizing the solver for reliable, fast computation.

Day 1

• Introduction to particle-based physics simulation: What are particles properties, interaction radii, collisions, constraints, etc.?
• First FlexHopper example: Unconstrained particles in collision with the environment.
• Fluid systems: Introduction to material groups and engine parameter tuning for fluid simulation.
• Rigid bodies: Definition of and collision between many rigid bodies.
• Soft body deformation: Controlling softness and compartmentation in a deformable shell.
• Pooling exercise: Rigid and soft bodies swimming in fluid particles.

Day 2

• Behind the scenes: How does the solver work internally? What makes it different from CPU-based computation? How to tune the solver for speed and reliability?
• Spring systems: Cloths, anchors, and wind.
• Inflatables: Controlling pressure in pneumatic structures.
• Custom constraint systems: Individually defining systems of anchors, springs, and triangles.
• Pooling exercise: Custom defined spring systems, cloth, and inflatables interacting.

Day 3

• Future perspectives and applications.
• Personal project development.
• Option to automate FlexHopper by scripting with the FlexCLI interface and C#, Python or VB.

Course Requirements

Confident familiarity with Grasshopper is recommended. Knowledge of programming languages such as C#, VB or Python is not required, although automating FlexHopper through scripting is a possible option if requested by the participants.

A dedicated AMD or NVIDIA graphics card on your computer is required running one of the following drivers: NVIDIA Geforce Game Ready Driver 372.90 or above AMD Radeon Driver Version 16.9.1 or above.

FlexHopper is free and open source available at:
www.food4rhino.com/app/flexhopper
www.github.com/HeinzBenjamin/FlexCLI

Course Fee: EUR 795 (+VAT). Full-time students, university teachers (proof of status required) will get a 50% discount. Please note your seat is only confirmed once payment is cleared. 

Maximum Number of Participants: 10 participants. If there is no quorum, the course will be canceled 15 days before. 

Language: English

Educational seats are limited. Sign up now by contacting McNeel Europe here!