Design and Parametric Fabrication by Controlmad

Design and Parametric Fabrication

 X Edition (June 30-July 25)

This course is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of 3D modeling with Rhino and parametric design with Grasshopper, culminating in a final project of constructing a large-scale prototype using digital fabrication tools.

Students go beyond basic 3D modeling, learning to implement advanced strategies for generating complex structures, analyzing and optimizing designs, and interacting with physical environments. The course also explores CNC manufacturing techniques, including laser cutting, milling, and 3D printing.

The ultimate goal is to create, design, and prototype a compelling object, sculpture, or functional piece using Rhino and Grasshopper, then fabricate it with state-of-the-art digital tools.

Now in its 10th edition, the course will be delivered in a hybrid format:

Part I - Fully online sessions

– 3D Modeling with Rhinoceros

– Parametric Design with Grasshopper - I

– Parametric Design with Grasshopper – II

Part II  (optional): Attend online or join us onsite for hands-on experience:

– Digital Fabrication Systems/ 28 Hours

Hours: 100

Dates: June 30-July 25

Complete details and registration...

Rhino User Webinar: Building 3D Web Apps with Rhino Compute and Modelup

 

Rhino User Webinar

Building 3D Web Apps with Rhino Compute and Modelup

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 3:00 PM (CEST)

Join us in this webinar to explore the art of building 3D web apps and configurators with Rhino Compute and Grasshopper. We will share our best tips and tricks for creating an excellent user experience while avoiding common pitfalls. You will also get a demo of the Modelup platform, where Grasshopper users can upload definitions and turn them into interactive, web-based configurators.

About the speaker:
Emil Poulsen co-founded Modelup, a company that builds web-based 3D apps and configurators powered by Rhino and Grasshopper. Emil has a background in architecture, engineering, and software development and has previously worked at companies such as Thornton Tomasetti and Buro Happold.

Complete details and registration...

Chasing perfection: Data preparation for exporting to Unreal - Recorded webinar now available

  

If you missed the latest Rhino User Webinar, it is now available!

Join us on this webinar to learn how to streamline your data preparation workflow and handle frequent CAD updates with ease.

Moving-Products provides B2B design services and creates parametric tools for customers, as well as high-level animations and configurators.

It uses Rhino as a modeling tool and as the center Ssage for data preparation for CAD files to translate them for rendering purposes.

Watch the video...
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Motorboat Design course in Rhino by Sabit

Motorboat Design in Rhino

by Sabit

Sabit invites you to a unique beginner-friendly course On April 8 focusing on aluminum boat construction. Learn essential technical and technological aspects, along with key design principles and expert tips for creating durable aluminum structures. 

The course follows real-world design stages used in professional studios, providing practical insights into the industry.

When? April 8, 2025
Languages: English, Polish
Organizers: Sabit – Authorized McNeel Training Center, official Rhinoceros distributor


Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills!

More information

in Polish...

in English...

Shape To Fabrication 2025 Updates: Hackathon, Dev Day, Workshops and AEC Conference (London, 12-17 April)

Shape To Fabrication
London, UK
12-17 April

Shape to Fabrication (STF) is an architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) and design-focused conference presenting innovative real-world projects beyond the theoretical. The focus is on proven application and evidence-based project delivery.

Presenters at the conference represent an international field of architects, engineers, designers, fabricators, and software developers, all working at the cutting edge of their industries within AEC and design.

The 9th iteration of Shape to Fabrication is presented in partnership with the School of Architecture and Cities, University of Westminster, and the 2-day conference is taking place at the University of Westminster’s Marylebone Campus, London, on the 16th & 17th of April 2025.

*Conference Early Agenda and Moderators now available

**Mid-conference drinks at Heatherwick Studio on the 16th of April (available to all Conference attendees)

What else is happening?

The Shape to Fabrication 2025 Workshops take place the day before the conference on Tuesday, 15 April. 

*WS11 "Integrated Design for Robotic 3D Printing" revised

Preceding these will be the Rhino New Dev Day hosted by McNeel. 

Additionally, our Shape to Fabrication friends, Thornton Tomasetti | CORE studio, are delivering an AECtech Hackathon at Foster + Partners the weekend before Shape to Fabrication 2025. 

Here’s a reminder of all the dates you need to know:

• 12-13 April 2025 – AECtech Hackathon
• 14 April 2025 – Rhino New Dev Day
• 15 April 2025 – STF Workshops
• 16-17 April 2025 – STF Conference

*Please note that tickets for each event are separate, so make sure you book for each event you wish to attend.

Shape To Fabrication details and tickets...

Rhino User Webinar: Developing a Rhino Plug-in with Python

 

Rhino User Webinar

Developing a Rhino Plug-in with Python

Mon, April 7, 2025, 12:00 PM (CEST)

This webinar explores the process of building and managing a Rhino plugin with Python. Using an in-house tool developed at 3XN as a case study, we will walk through the development of a collaboration-focused plugin that offers a centralized hub for sharing project visuals, Grasshopper scripts, and Rhino files across 3XN’s global offices. Designed for low maintenance, the plugin is primarily an Eto form that connects to a webpage with user-uploaded content, integrating Rhino with the web.

We will share lessons learned, along with ‘hacky’ tips and tricks for developing a Rhino plugin entirely in Python—covering both the old Rhino Script Compiler and the new Rhino Script Editor. Topics include packaging Python scripts into a Rhino plugin, making Rhino react to events on a webpage within an Eto form, launching Rhino instances with specific files and Grasshopper scripts, tracking usage statistics, and automatically opening the plugin window at Rhino startup.

About the speaker:
Michael Redder-Howard is a Senior Architect at 3XN in Copenhagen. Passionate about computation, façade design, and detailing, he uses scripting both in design and developing in-house digital tools. Before joining 3XN, he worked at BIG and KPF, focusing on large-scale projects and complex geometry.

Complete details and registration...

RhinoArtisan 6.2 now available

RhinoArtisan 6.0 or 6.1 users can now benefit from the free upgrade to RhinoArtisan 6.2, which introduces many new powerful tools to optimize and automate the jewelry design and manufacturing process.

Some of the top-notch features that users will get in this new version include:

- Accurate and automated pricing breakdown
- Comprehensive manufacturing report
- Automatic high-end pavé
- Seamless sketch integration

RhinoArtisan 6.2 is a free and fully automated update for users of versions 6.0 and 6.1.

More information on what's new in RhinoArtisan 6.2...

Rhino User Meeting in Porto (Portugal) - Save the date!

Rhino User Meeting Porto

📅 Date: May 30, 2025

🕓 Time: 9:00-18.30

📍 Venue: Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto (FAUP)

McNeel Europe, in collaboration with FAUP, is organizing the first Rhino User Meeting in Portugal on May 30. The event is an opportunity to learn about the latest Rhino and Grasshopper features and how they are applied in practice in various design, architecture, and engineering disciplines.

Why you should come:

• Discover the latest Rhino 8 and Grasshopper features: ShrinkWrap, PushPull, SubD, Section Styles and more!
• Meet Rhino experts and learn from their presentations and projects in architecture, engineering, footwear, computational design, and digital fabrication.
• Network and collaborate: Connect with fellow professionals, sponsors, and industry leaders. Participate in discussions, share ideas, and explore new opportunities.

Would you like to take part? 

The event is open in different categories:

👤 As a participant: Tickets for the event will go on sale soon on our website events.mcneel.eu. They include catering for the event (coffee breaks, lunch, and drinks).

🎤 As a speaker: If you would like to be one of the speakers at the event and receive a free ticket, please fill in this form. Places for speakers are limited.

🚀 As an exhibitor: You can showcase your Rhino-related plugin or service. Ask us how to participate.

Stay tuned! Registration and the event program will be available soon.

Contact us for any questions...

 

New to Rhino 8?

 New to Rhino 8?

Here are three simple steps to begin your learning journey:

The Vivobarefoot BIOME project - Recorded webinar now available

 

If you missed the latest Rhino User Webinar, it is now available!

Explore how the Vivobarefoot BIOME project transforms footwear manufacturing through algorithms and automated production with robotics and machine code. Integrations like Volumental and ShapeDiver combine advanced scanning, computational design, and sustainable materials to create scalable, customized solutions.

Watch the video...

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FTWkit is now official: A new standard in footwear development

FTWkit is now official:

A new standard in footwear development

FTWkit is the all-in-one solution for footwear professionals, bringing together:

• Botcha – For footwear design and 3D development
• Jevero – For pattern engineering and product development
• Jevero Cost – For precise cost estimation

FTWkit is the umbrella for Design&Develop entire suite of Rhino plugins—a unified ecosystem for footwear design, pattern engineering, and cost analysis.

This isn’t just a rebrand. With FTWkit, they’re introducing a new industry paradigm: a digital workflow based on a shared platform.

Why does this matter? Because working within a common environment like Rhino means:

• Seamless collaboration across teams
• Faster development through a shared language and integrated tools
• A streamlined workflow that connects every stage of the process
• More efficient prototyping thanks to a digital-first approach

­With this shift, their digital presence evolves too:

A single website with everything about FTWkit and its plugins. Their LinkedIn and Instagram profiles are now named FTWkit.

­Visit the new FTWkit website and step into the future of footwear development!

Contact Design&Develop if you need more information or would like to discuss a custom plugin for your company.

How to Create a 3D Model for Printing? Webinar by Sabit

How to Create a 3D Model for Printing?
 by Sabit

On March 18 at 11 AM, Sabit invites you to a unique webinar that will introduce you to the world of 3D printing and show you how easy it is to create your 3D model in Rhino!

What to Expect?

• Hands-on Masterclass – Learn how to quickly and efficiently prepare a 3D model for printing
• Sabit and get3D Collaboration – Discover how their expertise can help you work with 3D technologies
• Why is 3D printing the future? – Understand its importance and advantages
• Model Optimization – Useful tips for achieving the best print quality
• Choosing the Right Material and Preparing Files for Printing – Slicer software
• 3D Printing Technologies – Opportunities for implementing printing in your company

When? March 18 at 11:00 AM
Where? Online on the Google Meet platform
For whom? For designers, architects, engineers, and 3D printing enthusiasts
Language: Polish

Organizers:
SABIT – Authorized McNeel Training Center, official Rhinoceros distributor
get3D – Leading distributor of 3D printing systems, consumables, and auxiliary equipment

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and explore the future of 3D printing!

More information

in Polish...

in English...

Simply Rhino UK at Develop3D Live (Coventry, UK) - March 26, 2025

Simply Rhino UK will be joining PNY and Workstation Specialists at:

Develop3D Live
March 26, 2025
Warwick Arts Center, Coventry (UK)

Would you like to catch up with Simply Rhino in person? Then come and see Simply Rhino at Booth A17 at Develop3D Live on the 26th of March at Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry. We’ll be showing the latest with Rhino, KeyShot, and V-Ray.

Simply Rhino will be on the PNY Technologies Stand so you can also expect to see the latest in graphics card developments from NVIDIA, plus the latest in hardware solutions from Workstation Specialists.

Hope you can make it to Warwick on March 26. See you there!

To find out more about Develop3D Live, and to register for your free ticket to attend, visit the Develop3D live website...

 

ShapeDiver Spring '25 Update | Live Webinar

ShapeDiver Spring '25 Webinar

March 25, 2025

In this webinar, ShapeDiver's team will showcase new integrations with Speckle and Shopify, along with exciting updates like the AI Agent component for App Builder. They’ll cover optimizing workflows with Speckle, creating no-code product configurators with Grasshopper for Shopify, and exploring new features like the Credit System, enhanced App Builder tools, and more. Don’t miss the chance to get a sneak peek at upcoming innovations and ask questions during the Q&A session.

Register here...

BIM Workflow for Landscape Architects with RhinoLands

Are you looking to streamline your landscape architecture workflow? Join this webinar on March 25 at 17:00 CET for a deep dive into RhinoLands, the BIM solution tailored for landscape design.

What You'll Learn:

• How RhinoLands integrates seamlessly into your Rhino workflow
• Complete A-Z landscape design within Rhino—no need for additional software
• Enhanced BIM capabilities for landscape architecture
• Tools for better collaboration, documentation, and real-world applications

Who Should Attend?

Landscape architects, urban designers, and Rhino professionals eager to bring BIM efficiency into their landscape projects.

Don't miss out—register now and take your Rhino skills to the next level with RhinoLands!

Revisiting… Saw & Sew: AI meets Made-To-Order Furniture!

In the fast-evolving world of parametric design, staying ahead means embracing the latest technological advancements. That’s why we invite you to dive into ShapeDiver's latest interview with Winston Ferguson, the visionary behind Saw & Sew, a UK-based made-to-order furniture platform.

In 2022, Ferguson shared his journey of blending his Canadian roots with an entrepreneurial mindset to create a platform that empowers users to craft bespoke furniture through parametric design. Since then, Saw & Sew has undergone a remarkable transformation, integrating AI, refining its front and backend, and enhancing user accessibility like never before.

In this must-read conversation, Ferguson walks us through:

• How Saw & Sew has evolved its platform for better usability and maintainability

• The role AI plays in simplifying complex parametric design workflows

• Why AI is an assistant rather than a replacement for human creativity

• Lessons for entrepreneurs looking to integrate AI into their design tools

• The future of AI-driven, made-to-order furniture and mass customization

For designers, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts alike, this interview offers invaluable insights into the intersection of AI and parametric design. If you’re curious about how AI can enhance configurators, streamline customization, and shape the future of personalized production, this is a discussion you won’t want to miss.

Read the full interview...

Rhino User Webinar: Chasing Perfection - How to keep your data prep aligned in a fast-paced production

 
Rhino User Webinar:

Chasing Perfection
19 March 2025 at 4:00 pm (CET)

 

This webinar will teach you how to streamline your data preparation workflow and handle frequent CAD updates with ease in a fast-paced production. 

You'll learn to:

• Work entirely in Rhino for tasks like unwrapping, sorting, tessellation, and metadata management.
• Automate hierarchy creation, material setup, and mesh merging in Unreal using a Datasmith import script.
• Replace traditional skinned skeletal mesh animations with a simple Blueprint-based connector system.

Join us to see how these techniques were applied during the development of the Koenigsegg Gemera Configurator, transforming a complex, repetitive process into a single, efficient workflow. About the speaker: Christian Foerg studied industrial design in Munich, focusing on mechanics and animation. After teaching Rhino, KeyShot, and Cinema 4D at the Hochschule München for more than 14 years, he founded Moving-Products, a company that provides B2B design services, creating parametric tools for customers and high-level animations and configurators.

Moving-Products uses Rhino as a modeling tool and the center stage for data preparation for CAD files to translate them for rendering purposes.

Complete details and registration...

Webinar: MIDAS CIVIL NX with Grasshopper, March 19

 

Parametric Automation for Bridge Engineers: MIDAS CIVIL NX with Grasshopper

Enhance your bridge design workflow with automation. Join MIDAS for an interactive and practical webinar on automating bridge design and analysis using MIDAS CIVIL NX and Grasshopper. This session will introduce the powerful MIDAS Grasshopper plug-in, demonstrating how parametric modeling can streamline your workflow, minimize manual effort, and enhance design efficiency.

 What you’ll learn:

• Automate tendon profile generation using Grasshopper
• Optimize construction stage analysis with parametric modeling
• Reduce repetitive tasks and enhance design accuracy with practical applications
• Gain insights into transforming drawings into structural analysis models for efficient bridge design

This is an opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge, see real-world applications, and ask your questions during the live Q&A session. Whether you're new to parametric design or looking to optimize your current workflow, this webinar will provide valuable insights to help you work smarter, not harder.

Don’t miss this chance to revolutionize your bridge design process! 

Secure your spot today and take the first step toward automation-driven efficiency.

March 19, 2025 - Choose from one of two sessions:

• Session 1: Europe & Asia 9:00AM (BST/London)
• Session 2: North & South America 12:00PM (EDT/New York)

Register here!

Details, agenda, and registration...

Webinar: 7 Grasshopper Mistakes I Made

Live Webinar: 7 Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To!)
from Learn Grasshopper

Date: 5 March 2025 
Time: 14:00-15:30 CET (GMT +1)

Sign up

• Learn Faster: Avoid common mistakes with practical tips from Kris's experience.
• Get Free Materials: Receive ready-to-use Grasshopper files and helpful resources to jumpstart your designs. 

More details.

P.S. If you have any comments or questions, reach out to Krzysztof Wojslaw at kris@learngrasshopper.com