Grasshopper Level 3 online course, May 27-29, 2026 (McNeel Europe)

 

Grasshopper Level 3 

Online Workshop

Tutor: Ping-Hsiang Chen

May 27-29, 2026

10 AM-5 PM CEST (Barcelona)

Hosted on Zoom by McNeel Europe

The upcoming Grasshopper Level 3 course is for professionals seeking to broaden their understanding of Grasshopper in design and production. For three days, participants will have the opportunity to delve into advanced techniques in design and production under the guidance of Ping- Hsiang Chen, a former senior architect at Zaha Hadid with over 10 years of computational design experience. This course focuses on geometric manipulation, data-driven analytical approaches, advanced geometry creation with feedback loops, collaboration in data-driven workflow, and automation in Grasshopper.

On completion of this course, participants will:

• Gain better control over complex geometries
• Integrate advanced techniques in geometry creation through the implementation of feedback loops
• Automate design processes and create custom extended functions
• Foster collaboration within data-driven workflows for optimized outcomes

Day 1

• Complex Geometry Modeling Overview
• Volumetric Modeling Techniques using Mesh and SubD
• Advanced Geometry Modification Methods
• Iterative Modeling
• Branch Structure and Fractals

Day 2

• Introduction to Physics-based Modeling
• Form Finding with Goals and Forces
• Understanding Constraints and Element Interaction
• Encode Material Behavior into Geometries
• An Overview of Generative Design
• Single and Multi-objective Optimization with Evolutionary Algorithms

Day 3

• Data Visualization
• Creation of a Web-based Viewer for Data Sharing and Visualization
• Code Reusability and Custom Function
• Collaborative Workflow Introduction
• Grasshopper Player
• Q&A Session and Course Recap

Course requirements: Experience using Grasshopper professionally or at an intermediate level. Software requirement: Rhino 8

Online course fees per course: EUR 395,- (+VAT); full-time students and university teachers receive a 50% discount (proof of status required). Please note that we will confirm your seat after your payment has cleared.

Maximum number of participants for each course: 25. If there is no quorum, the course will be canceled 15 days before.

Course language: English

Educational seats are limited. Sign up now by contacting Verena!

Free Workshop Optimization in Grasshopper

Free Workshop Optimization in Grasshopper
November 6-13, 2025

Join How To Rhino's free online workshop and discover how to leverage Grasshopper's optimization tools to make smarter, data-driven design decisions and elevate your portfolio!

In this value-packed workshop, you'll learn:

• The fundamentals of Genetic Algorithms (From theory to practice, made simple!)
• How to finally understand optimization logic in Grasshopper to solve complex problems.
• Seamless single-objective optimization setups using Galapagos to find the best design solutions.
• Workflows to visualize data and present your findings with clarity and impact.

Includes practical video lessons and live Q&A sessions.

Join the group...

Grasshopper Level 2 Online Workshop for parametric modeling, June 25-27, 2025 (McNeel Europe)

Grasshopper Level 2 (Level 2)

Online Workshop

Tutor: Ping-Hsiang Chen

June 25-27, 2025

10 AM-5 PM CEST (Barcelona)

Hosted on Zoom by McNeel Europe

Ping-Hsiang Chen, a former computational designer at Zaha Hadid Architects, is leading a three-day Grasshopper Level 2 online course. This hands-on experience explores the principles of computational geometry and parametric design. 

After the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Have an in-depth understanding of data structure
• Work between different geometry types such as NURBS, Mesh, and SubDs
• Understand the use cases of mesh geometry
• Optimize workflow using blocks and caches
• Work with layers, materials, and views in your Rhino document

Day 1

• Review Computational Geometry and Complex Geometry
• Advanced Data Structure (Branch and Path Manipulation)
• Data Grouping, Partition, Classification, and Culling
• Data Sorting, Sets
• Conditional Statements
• Custom Patterns and Domain

Day 2

• Mesh Modelling Introduction
• Mesh Subdivision and Topology Reconstruction
• Mesh Optimization with ShrinkWrap
• Introduction to Blocks
• Create Block Attributes
• Reference External Blocks

Day 3

• Point Cloud Data Type
• Introduction to Content Cache
• Query Information from Rhino Document
• Model Layer and Object Introduction
• Model View Introduction

Course requirements: This Level 2 course requires prior experience in visual programming with programming. You should be familiar with the Grasshopper user interface and the essential algorithms and data structures in Grasshopper (Chapters 1 and 2). 

Software requirement: Rhino 8

Online course fees for each course: EUR 395 (+VAT). Full-time students and university teachers receive a 50% discount (proof of status required). We will confirm your seat after your payment has cleared.

Maximum number of participants for each course: 25. If there is no quorum, the course will be canceled 15 days before.

Course language: English

Educational seats are limited. Sign up now by contacting Verena!

food4Rhino webinar: Architectural Design Optimization with Opossum (May 21, 2025, at 5 PM CEST)

food4Rhino webinar: 

Architectural Design Optimization with Opossum

May 21, 2025, at 5 PM CEST

Join us for a webinar on Opossum, the model-based optimization plugin.
During the webinar we will dive into single- and multi-objective optimization in Grasshopper. You will learn how to formulate an optimization problem, choose the right algorithm, and interpret the results. We will introduce you to Performance Explorer, the interactive and intuitive Design Space Exploration tool.

Speaker: Max Zorn is a researcher and doctoral candidate at the Department for Computing in Architecture, Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD/CA), University of Stuttgart. Max holds a BA (TUM) in Architecture and an MSc in Integrative Technologies and Architectural Design Research (ITECH). His research focuses on software tools for architectural design space exploration, including optimization, machine learning, and interactive visualization. He leads the Opossum developer team and is a co-author of ICD’s ABxM agent-based modeling framework.

Free registration...

Online beginner’s course for Grasshopper by Agata Kycia

 

In this beginner-friendly and compact course, you will learn parametric design principles using Grasshopper, a powerful visual programming tool for Rhino. The course is designed to give you a solid foundation, enabling you to create Grasshopper definitions from scratch and apply them effectively for design, modeling, and visualization. During the course, you will gain a clear understanding of data management and manipulation, including how to create, visualize, and organize lists and data tree structures, as well as how to match data streams accurately. Additionally, you will learn how to automate design processes in Grasshopper, streamlining repetitive tasks to boost efficiency, and discover how to optimize your workflow by leveraging Grasshopper’s shortcuts and preferences. Whether you are an architect, designer, engineer, artist, or hobbyist, this course will help you develop valuable parametric design skills that you can apply directly to your projects.

About Agata Kycia: The course is led by Agata, an architect and researcher with over 14 years of experience in Rhino. Agata specializes in computational design, digital fabrication, and material science. She earned her doctorate from TU Berlin for research on self-shaping textiles and currently teaches CAD and generative design at the International University.

What will you learn?

• The principles of parametric design using Grasshopper.
• How to create Grasshopper definitions from scratch.
• How to manage and manipulate data: Creating, visualizing, and managing lists and tree structures; matching data streams.
• Grasshopper Basics: Grasshopper UI, components, and operations of Grasshopper.
• Automation of design processes: Using Grasshopper to automate repetitive tasks, enhancing efficiency.
• Workflow optimization: Streamlining the design process using Grasshopper’s shortcuts.
• Surface parametrization and panelization.

Requirements: No Grasshopper experience is needed, as this class is intended for beginners, but basic Rhino experience is an advantage.

Sign up for Agata's Grasshopper course...

Rhino User Webinar: Integrating Machine Learning Models in Rhino 8

 

Rhino User Webinar
Integrating Machine Learning Models in Rhino 8
3 December 2024 at 12:00 pm (CET)

This webinar explores Rhino 8’s scripting environment, particularly the new Python 3 component, and how it enables direct integration of ML (Machine Learning) models, such as regression or classification, for design optimization. While generative AI is often in the spotlight, many practical challenges in the AEC industry are better addressed with these models, which can significantly improve workflow efficiency.

One revisited project, LearnCarbon, showcases the potential of this integration. Initially, the project involved extensive data cleaning and model training using NumPy, Pandas, TensorFlow, and Keras, with predictions linked to Grasshopper via Hops. This workflow depended on external plugins and background scripts, leading to stability issues.

With Rhino 8’s new Python 3 integration, these models can now run directly within Rhino, eliminating the need for external plugins and improving workflow stability. This integration enables new possibilities: 

1. Accelerating slow processes by generating synthetic datasets in Grasshopper, or even utilizing existing ones, using ML to predict outcomes, and bypassing traditional computationally heavy simulations.
2. It allows for reversing model relationships—such as in LearnCarbon, where a model trained to predict embodied carbon based on materiality can now recommend optimal materials based on a target emission factor.

About the speaker:

Iliana Papadopoulou is an architect and software developer who has led initiatives on spatial computing, machine learning, and interfaces. Her work spans all scales, from creating immersive virtual spaces to optimizing the performance of large urban layouts worldwide with neural networks. Iliana has contributed to both professional practice and academia, applying research and technical skills to projects.

Complete details and registration...

Grasshopper Level 3 online course, December 2-4, 2024 (McNeel Europe)

 

Grasshopper Level 3 

Online Workshop

Tutor: Ping-Hsiang Chen

December 2-4, 2024

10 AM-5 PM CET (Barcelona)

Hosted on Zoom by McNeel Europe

The upcoming Grasshopper Level 3 course is for professionals seeking to broaden their understanding of Grasshopper in the design and production process. For three days, participants will have the opportunity to delve into advanced techniques in design and production under the guidance of Ping- Hsiang Chen, a former senior architect at Zaha Hadid with over 10 years of computational design experience. This course focuses on geometric manipulation, data-driven analytical approaches, advanced geometry creation with feedback loops, collaboration in data-driven workflows, and automation in Grasshopper.

On completion of this course, participants will:

• Gain better control over complex geometries
• Integrate advanced techniques in geometry creation through the implementation of feedback loops
• Automate design processes and create custom extended functions
• Foster collaboration within data-driven workflows for optimized outcomes

Day 1

• Complex Geometry Modeling Overview
• Volumetric Modeling Techniques using Mesh and SubD
• Advanced Geometry Modification Methods
• Iterative Modeling
• Branch Structure and Fractals

Day 2

• Introduction to Physics-based Modeling
• Form Finding with Goals and Forces
• Understanding Constraints and Element Interaction
• Encode Material Behavior into Geometries
• An Overview of Generative Design
• Single and Multi-objective Optimization with Evolutionary Algorithms

Day 3

• Data Visualization
• Creation of a Web-based Viewer for Data Sharing and Visualization
• Code Reusability and Custom Function
• Collaborative Workflow Introduction
• Grasshopper Players
• Q&A Session and Course Recap

Course requirements: Experience using Grasshopper professionally or at an intermediate level. Software requirement: Rhino 8

Online course fees: EUR 395 (+VAT); full-time students and university teachers receive a 50% discount (proof of status required). Please note that we will confirm your seat after your payment has cleared.

Maximum number of participants for each course: 25. If there is no quorum, the course will be canceled 15 days before.

Course language: English

Educational seats are limited. Sign up now by contacting Verena!

Opossum Release for Rhino 8

ICD University Stuttgart is pleased to announce the latest update of Opossum, version 3.1.1, which is now fully compatible with Rhino 8. This update addresses a critical bug where expert settings inadvertently overwrote the settings tab.

Opossum, the Grasshopper plugin, offers enhanced features for optimization tasks, including:

• RBFOpt and CMA-ES algorithms for single-objective optimization
• Multi-objective algorithms: RBFMOpt, MACO, MOEA/D, NSGA-II, NSPSO
• Performance Explorer for real-time feedback on design spaces

Opossum 3.0.0-beta, as well as 1.5.0 and lower, was developed at the Advanced Architecture Lab with support from the SUTD-MIT International Design Centre and is currently being developed at ICD University Stuttgart.

More info at Opossum's official website...

Download Opossum from food4Rhino...

Optimus/Grasshopper interface (by Noesis Solutions)

Optimus is the industry-leading Process Integration and Design Optimization (PIDO) software platform, bundling a powerful range of capabilities for Engineering Process Integration, Design Space Exploration, Engineering Optimization, and Robustness & Reliability. These PIDO technologies help direct engineering simulations toward design candidates that outsmart competition while considering all relevant design constraints—effectively implementing an Objectives Driven Engineering process. Optimus users report design time savings averaging over 30% while achieving 10% or more design performance improvements.

The Grasshopper interface automates using Grasshopper as a component of an Optimus workflow. It allows users to access all Grasshopper-defined design parameters (*.ghx file) and the parameters of the simulation setup and submit the updated files to Rhinoceros.

Optimus automatically modifies the Grasshopper design parameters and generates and updates the underlying Grasshopper files to be used in a multi-disciplinary DOE, optimization, or robust design workflow.

Complete details...