Algorithm Enabled Parametric BIM: 5 Steps to Getting Started

Need a little encouragement to navigate the parametric design world? Are you a Tekla Structures user?

In this article, Tekla explains algorithm enabled parametric BIM. They share some of the ways structural engineers are using this workflow to quickly explore complex design alternatives.

Algorithm Enabled Parametric BIM: 5 Steps to Getting Started...

Tutorials for V-Ray with Grasshopper

ArchDaily has compiled a convenient list of V-Ray for Rhino tutorials in their sponsored article
How to Render Parametric Designs & Animations Using V-Ray for Rhino & Grasshopper.

These three to five-minute video tutorials cover:

• Getting started
• Rendering an animated facade
• Rendering a Grasshopper shadow study
• Rendering an animated sun study
• Rendering an animated camera
• Setting camera exposure and white balance
• Plus other tips

Octave 9, a new audiovisual space for Seattle Symphony

Learn more about how LMN Architects created a flexible audiovisual space, Octave 9, in Benaroya Hall for the Seattle Symphony. Octave 9 is a performance space, a meeting room, an interactive classroom—whatever is needed for the activity or performer.

LMN used Grasshopper to design the acoustically absorptive celled ceiling that conceals microphones, speakers, lights, and much other necessary tech equipment.

Learn more in LMN Handcrafts a Parametric Design for Octave 9...

In the works: Hydrofoil passenger ferry

Glosten and Bieker Boats are collaborating on a 150-passenger hydrofoil ferry and taking advantage of modern composite technology.

Bieker Boats has years of experience designing fast foil-born boats, including the Oracle Team USA for America's Cup. Glosten has a long history, over 50 years, of designing passenger boats.

To achieve ultra-efficient transportation, Glosten and Bieker Boats combined the proven technologies of ultra-efficient hydrofoils, lightweight carbon fiber hull construction, and modern geared propulsion equipment. With a requirement of less than half the installed power of a typical passenger catamaran, fuel consumption results in a 50% reduction. And for shorter routes less than 12 nautical miles, battery-electric propulsion can be operated.

The vessel has low drag foils, so it has less impact on sensitive shorelines.

To date, all the design work and CFD have been within the Rhino/Orca3D environment—Rhino as the primary drafting tool and Orca/Simerics for the CFD tools.

Specifications on Glosten web site and Bieker Boats web site...

Pushing creativity with terra cotta in buildings

The 2019 ACAWorkshop was an opportunity to innovate and expand what is possible with terra cotta in architecture through the assembly and testing of ceramic prototypes. Teams in the weeklong event explored different applications of terra cotta in a collaborative environment at Boston Valley Terra Cotta and the UB School of Architecture Sustainable Manufacturing and Advanced Robotic Technologies Lab.

The next workshop is on August 10-14, 2020.

See how Grasshopper is used to enhance creativity in a new way to see terra cotta in the Video Highlights from the 2019 Architectural Ceramic Assemblies Workshop.

More on Phil Frank's SuperCar from Factory 5

More on Phil Frank's SuperCar from Factory 5: Simerics Rhino Flow RT provided CFD realtime simulation of the carbon fiber SuperCar designed using Rhino.

Even with little CFD experience, the SuperCar team was able to match the simulations with their wind tunnel tests. 

Influence the enhancements and development Rhino Flow RT! You can join the Rhino Flow RT Early Release program.  (CFD experience not required.)

Prosthetics for dogs

For fun, watch Rhino help make dog prosthetics in a Comcast advertising spot. If you have a soft spot for dogs and the children who love them, you'll like this ad.

Comcast Business TV Commercial, 'Going Beyond'...

Rhino and V-Ray classes in New York

*These classes are postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

Levet Design Studio is now offering Rhino and V-Ray classes in New York. These comprehensive Rhino and V-Ray workshops are taught by Jessy Duval, a New York designer with over 15 years' experience using Rhino.

Current classes:

• Rhino and V-Ray Training—February 27-28 
• V-Ray Training—March 14 
• Design Jewelry with Rhino—March 27-28
• Animation Using Rhino and V-Ray—April 4 

Location: 

Levet Design Studio

79 West Street 

Brooklyn NY 11222

For more details...

Nate Miller reviews a few Grasshopper tools

Nate Miller of Proving Ground regularly offers respected opinions on generative design, such as his podcast discussion. Now, he has published his take on a few Grasshopper plugins. As Nate points out, for over 12 years, a vibrant digital design community has sprung up around Grasshopper, with its freely available plugins and tools that leverage “generative” concepts.

Three categories Nate discusses are:

• Evolutionary solver
• Topology optimization
• Machine learning and artificial intelligence

You can find the tools he talks about, and others, through resources such as food4Rhino. 

Free Generative Design – A brief overview of tools created by the Grasshopper community...