xNURBS Rhino Plugin V6.1 Released

xNURBS announces the availability of Version 6.1. And V4/V5/V6 customers can get a free upgrade to V6.1. V6.1 includes a number of enhancements, e.g., improving surfacing quality and reducing the number of control points needed to satisfy the required precision, etc.

xNURBS also produces a tutorial video, which explains the xNURBS settings in detail and helps users to understand how to use xNURBS efficiently and correctly.

The following is a short answer to "why xNURBS".

Key Features of xNURBS:

• Unlimited capacities for solving NURBS: Its optimization algorithm can solve virtually any NURBS surface in milliseconds (regardless of the constraints' complexity).
• High-quality surfaces: For a given set of constraints, xNURBS’ optimization algorithm uses an energy-minimization method to generate the smoothest NURBS surface among all possible solutions. The generated surface quality is outstanding.
• xNURBS is one super powerful NURBS tool that fixes virtually all surfacing issues for existing CAD software.
• Easy to use: It uses one simple UI for all kinds of NURBS modeling.
• Super robust: xNURBS is rock solid and works flawlessly.
• Native CAD surfaces: xNURBS is based on NURBS, i.e., the native CAD surfaces, which can be directly used for any CAD modeling operations without geometry translation.

Download and details...

Tutorials from Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation

The Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) now has a series of self-guided course modules, providing an introduction to the fundamentals of computation and spatial design for students entering the GSAPP Computational Design Practices program at Columbia. 

The series of online courses, the Smorgasboard, includes an intro to Rhino, an intro to Grasshopper, Computational Design in Grasshopper, and Python in Rhino / Grasshopper.

The Smorgasbord tutorials complement a series of CDP foundation classes, which will include discussions, reading, feedback, and more tutorials. These tutorials are selected to provide a particular computational grounding to facilitate discussion, exploration, and creation of projects at the intersection of design, computation, and the built environment.

While the Smorgasboard is designed as the pre-program curriculum for the GSAPP Masters of Science in Computational Design Practices, it also welcomes any student interested in Computational Design across all programs at GSAPP.

More info GSAPP CDP Smorgasboard...

Analyze the Swiss Re Building

ThinkParametric announced their newest online course, Analyze The Swiss Re Building Using Ladybug Tools, taught by expert instructor Brandon A. Gibbs.

This course is ideal if you are an architect, engineer, or simply someone interested in building design with Rhino and sustainability tools. 

The Swiss Re building is a world-renowned example of environmentally friendly design by the architecture firm Foster + Partners. In this course, you will learn how to model the tower using Rhino with Grasshopper and analyze the environmental performance of the building using the Ladybug Environmental Suite, a collection of powerful Grasshopper plugins for environmental analysis.

Because the course is self-paced, you can learn at your own pace and timetable. In a series of on-demand lessons, Brandon will walk you through the process of setting up your Ladybug Tools environment and using it to perform a variety of analyses, including:

• Daylighting

• Solar radiation

• Thermal comfort

• Applied sustainable design

You will also learn to visualize and interpret your analysis results to gain insights into the building's performance.

By the end of this hands-on course, you will fully grasp how Ladybug Tools is used to analyze building performance and how to apply these skills to your projects.

This course is free for registered members of ThinkParametric, and the membership fee is currently $289 for full library access for one year. You will also have access to the ThinkParametric community forum of fellow students and experts who can provide feedback and support as you progress through the course.

Get started now: Analyze The Swiss Re Building Using Ladybug Tools

Designers Corner: Dan Cole from Webb Yates Engineers!

Webb Yates Engineers is a multidisciplinary engineering practice comprising structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and public health engineers. 

In this interview, Dan Cole, one of their Structural Engineers, discusses his background, what sparked his interest in the AEC industry, and the benefits of using parametric design tools like Grasshopper. He also provides some specific examples of how computational design is beneficial in his job as a Structural Engineer.

Read the complete interview...

New Dutch Rhino tutorials

At rhinoacademie.com, designer Michiel van der Kley has published a series of very accessible and short tutorials that explain, in Dutch, how to work with Rhino. Michiel explains the basics and shows you how fun it is to work with the program.

New and easy tutorials for Dutch-speaking Rhino users are added regularly to provide much-needed basic knowledge of Rhino as well as offer insight into the way Rhino is taught at the Rhinoacademie. 

The Rhinoacacademie organizes regular Rhino courses in the Netherlands. Check the website for more information.
 

The Efficiency Boost: Computational Design in AEC

The Efficiency Boost: Computational Design in AEC 
March 21, 2023, at 5 PM CET
Free Live Webinar

Join ShapeDiver on Tuesday, March 21, for a webinar to showcase the latest computational design innovations for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.

Hear from a panel of experts, including Thornton Tomasetti | CORE Studio (USA), Webb Yates Engineers (UK), Construsoft (Spain), and Cake Houses (Czech Republic), as they share how they are driving efficiency gains by leveraging Grasshopper and ShapeDiver in their respective projects.

Whether you are an architect, engineer, builder, or designer, this event is the perfect opportunity to learn from four of the most innovative companies in the AEC space. You will also have the chance to interact with the panelists and ask questions during the Q&A session, gaining a deeper understanding of how these technologies work and how you could leverage them in your projects.

Register now...