SAVANNA3D R7 with new SubD blocks

 

The SAVANNA3D for Rhino 7 library contains over 1,600 detailed 3D architectural models in the 3DM file format, plus a few parametric Grasshopper definitions to create parametric models.

All these blocks are 100% NURBS, SubDs, or Grasshopper parametric definitions made in Rhino 7. Plus, discover the new blocks created for you; all are SubD models included in Chapter 7, which provides for cocktail glassware and lounge chairs.

Explore what's included in the SAVANNA3D R7 library by scrolling down to the curriculum section and preview how to use the blocks + get around 40 free blocks from the library by downloading Chapter 2.1 for free!

View the catalog here!

Subscribe to the SAVANNA3D R7 library to download the entire library; it's yours to keep for as long as you like. Please refer to the License Agreement. The subscription includes all 1,600+ blocks plus any new blocks added sporadically during the twelve-month subscription. 

Enjoy 20% off with coupon code: RHINO3DEDUCATION20 at checkout for a limited time!

How To Generate Complex Technical Drawings with Grasshopper | Pt. 2

In Part 2 of this video tutorial series, Edwin Hernández from ShapeDiver explains the concept behind Printing Points and how to create a template for technical drawings that allows you to input data parametrically for any project.

If you missed Part 1, watch it now.

Our newest Authorized Rhino Trainers!

Cluster Ring by Laurie Robinson

Congratulations to our newest Authorized Rhino Trainers!

Check out the final projects below with the various topics. 

• James Chadud: Modeling a Spiral Stair
• Mike Annear: Modeling from Point Clouds
• Lissa Saruhashi: Contour in Rhino and Grasshopper
• Steve Workman: History and Halos
• Jim Callans: Modeling a Skatepark Bowl
• Laurie Robinson: Cluster Ring
• John Morris, SCAD: Modeling a Computer Monitor
• Gautier Mallet: Mesh to Nurbs
• Winston Pynn: Modeling a Hull & Lines
• Ian Gordon: Worksession Project

See additional ART projects.

The ART Trainers are excited to share their Rhino expertise and help you with training or tutoring. You can see their classes and contact details.

If you want to become an ART, here are the requirements. Sign up for the next Required ART training for the North and South American regions.

Learn more about testing for Professional Rhino Certifications... 

Bubble Pavilion Documentary

The Bubble Pavilion is a project led by Professor Roberto Narvaez at the University of Seville (Spain), which combines geometric, structural, and constructive research with educational innovation.

Based on the geometric relationships found in spherical soap bubbles of equal radius, a geometric algorithm is designed using Rhinoceros and Grasshopper to adapt the natural arrangement of bubble clusters to any free-form surface. Subsequently, another algorithm is designed in Grasshopper to materialize the structure using laminated wood panels and digital fabrication tools.

The overall result is a self-supporting system with a uniform shell behavior that is highly resistant to typical architectural stresses. The pavilion takes the form of a single vaulted envelope, approximately 11 meters long and 6 meters wide. However, the designed system can be adapted to any size and shape for a multitude of applications in architectural design, including facades, roofs, or architectural envelopes of any kind.

More information...

VisualARQ User-Case

VisualARQ User-Case: from Conceptual Volumes to Real Projects

VisualARQ played a crucial role in the design process of this residential apartment project in Costa Rica, showcasing the architectural expertise of Costa Rican architect Javier Castro. By using Rhino and VisualARQ, the project evolved from conceptual volumes to stunning photorealistic images, both for the interior and exterior.

Read the complete article...

Getting to know... Sfered: Custom eyewear meets Grasshopper!

Sybren de Graaf, CEO and founder of Sfered, created an innovative solution for the eyewear industry using Grasshopper and ShapeDiver's infrastructure. With a background in architecture, Sybren discovered the potential of Grasshopper and used his design knowledge to create a revolutionary online service for opticians. Sfered's service allows for the customization of frames using a 3D parametric model placed on the client's scanned face. The result is a personalized and comfortable fit unique to each individual.

In this interview, Shapediver dives into Sybren's early beginnings, his early design influences, and how he discovered Grasshopper. They also discussed how his architectural background influenced his current path and when he realized the concept behind Sfered could be a good business idea. Furthermore, you can explore how ShapeDiver helped him create this iOS application, the challenges he's faced so far, and what opticians say about the tool.

Read the complete interview...

SudoHopper3D is a fun way to learn Grasshopper!

Learning Grasshopper is fun; McNeel Miami has created SudoHopper3D, a free card game to improve the overall understanding of parametric thinking.

SudoHopper3D playfully takes you through mathematics, algorithms, and basic coding. Players surprisingly learn concepts such as vector geometry and trigonometry. Players also understand problem-solving, logic, and sequential reasoning in a socially interrelated and entertaining environment. 

Players can access the online course, Introduction to Grasshopper with SudoHopper3D in English and Spanish. These videos are from our Rhino3D.Education platform and will show students the different ways to write the definitions that solve each assignment. 

Plus: Access to this new magazine we have created for you, which includes the solutions to the assignments to SudoHopper3D, and you can download it to have it with you while playing!

View/Download here

Please, share comments and images of what your students are achieving with SudoHopper3D and Grasshopper.

When you complete this Introduction to Grasshopper with SudoHopper3D course, you will be ready to continue learning Grasshopper with the more advanced Computational Design with Grasshopper online course, also offered in English and Spanish!

Check out Rhino3D.Education for the latest courses on Rhino, Grasshopper, and more!

New Land Kit plugin V12 release

The latest version of Land Kit 1.2 bolsters your Land Kit performance while introducing Water Kit!

Whether you’re just getting your toes wet or diving in, Water Kit has the tools to help you understand water. Dip your toes into Water Kit:

• Flowlines. Trace water on your site with new and improved flowline fidelity!
• Upslope Area. Find what areas contribute to runoff on your site with a refined Upslope Areas tool!
• Add Catchment layer. Discover where water settles on your site!

What’s your footprint?

• Carbon Calculator beta. Find out how your site contributes to carbon over time!
• Add CSV Data. Bolster your plants and areas by adding carbon calculation values and more!

Diving in (components available with a Pro Key license):

• CN Calculator beta.
• Calculate TR-55 Curve Numbers. A simple solution for a complicated job!
• Add Static Storage Layer. Determine how much static water storage is in selected areas.
• Add Diffuse Layer. Blur an environment layer.
• Add Layer Overlay. Combine index layers using a master overlay layer!
• Add Occurrence Layer. Tally the density of flowlines on your site.

Also, there are improvements in Environment, Paving Kit, Topo Kit, and Plant Kit.

See all the details...

Revit Essentials for Rhino and Grasshopper Users - English or Spanish

   

We are happy to announce that Rhino3D.Education's

Revit for Rhino and Grasshopper Users online course is now available in

English and Spanish!

This course will teach you the essentials of working with Revit, Rhino.Inside, and VisualARQ. Due to the significant development of Rhino.Inside tools in different software such as Revit, it is necessary for you as a Rhino user to know some essentials of that software, such as the basics of modeling, assigning materials, editing the plans, and adding elements or components to your model, so that you can communicate in your team with the 3D modelers working on different tools.

At the end of this course, you should be able to create your own Revit model, export the schedules, and bring your basic project elements to Revit and vice versa. This course is designed for absolute beginners, meaning no previous experience with Revit Architecture is required. In this course, we work with Revit 2022 and Rhino 7.

I'm Niloofar, a computational architect and designer with a Master's Degree in Sustainable Architecture and part of the McNeel Miami team. The complete course is ready for you. Plus, with the help of my co-worker, architect Julian Oquendo, we have come together to translate it into Spanish too!

Revit Essentials for Rhino and Grasshopper Users is now available in English and Spanish. 

Enjoy 20% off with code: RHINO3DEDUCATION20 at checkout!

For a limited time only!

Register now!

Plus: Upon conclusion, you will receive a certificate of completion. Get started today!

Rhino3D.Education offers online courses in Rhino, Grasshopper, Computational Design, GhPython, PanelingTools, RhinoCAM, V-Ray, and more. Check it out!

Free book: Advanced Surface Modeling in MatrixGold 3

 

Mohsen Mohammadvali has written a free digital book in English about Advanced Surface Modeling in MatrixGold to share with Rhino users.

Advanced Surface Modeling in MatrixGold is an educational book that provides CAD designers with the tools and techniques they need to create complex and organic models. Whether you're an experienced designer looking to expand your skill set or a newcomer to the world of CAD, this book will guide you through surface modeling using MatrixGold software. With this book as your guide, you can create stunning, high-quality designs that push the boundaries of what's possible in CAD.

Mohsen Mohammadvali is a jewelry CAD designer, authorized Rhino Trainer, and certified MatrixGold instructor in Bangkok, Thailand.

Download the book...

Note: An earlier post had a bad link, which we have now fixed. Thanks to all those who pointed that out.

How To Generate Complex Technical Drawings with Grasshopper

In Part 1 of this video tutorial series, Edwin Hernández explains how to create complex technical drawings with Grasshopper using the Squid Plugin (ShapeDiver Edition). In the following parts, he'll show how to create PDF templates and integrate everything into a cloud application running on ShapeDiver.

Click here for more ShapeDiver video tutorials...

How to design a serpentine wall

 

Are you looking to elevate your architectural design skills? Iamthestudio launched their new course, Design a Serpentine Modular Wall. Discover how to design a serpentine modular wall and learn the secrets behind designing optimized modular systems in Grasshopper.

• Discover the principles of parametric design and algorithmic thinking that drive the creation of exceptional architectural masterpieces such as the Serpentine Pavilion by the architecture firm BIG.
• Design, optimize, and fabricate a serpentine-inspired modular wall, incorporating innovative techniques for efficient construction and assembly. 
• Master using Grasshopper to bring your creative ideas to life.
• Apply fabrication techniques like Excel exporting and unit rationalization for effective construction workflow.
• Understand how to create parametric design systems that allow you to adapt and iterate quickly.

The course is taught by Brandon A. Gibbs, AIA, an accomplished architect and educator passionate about merging art and technology in architectural design. Brandon has years of experience in computational design, digital fabrication, and programming. He has worked with organizations like the Design Research Lab and Zaha Hadid Architects. Brandon is well-equipped to guide you through creating effective parametric designs and computational systems and his teaching style is engaging and comprehensive, ensuring that you understand the techniques and develop the skills to apply them in real-life projects.

Enrollment is open now for $49.99 or free for 14 days with a trial to the monthly membership to Iamthestudio. 

Enroll in the  Create A Serpentine Modular Wall course today and take your architectural vision to the next level!

 

3D printed surgical guides combined with monitored guidewires for placement of cervicothoracic pedicle screws

 

Rhino and its medical plugin Rhino3DMedical have been used on a technical note in a study on the accuracy and safety of 3D-printed surgical guides for the placement of cervicothoracic pedicle screws. The study was led by the Neurosurgery Department of Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho and Pagaimo Medical from Figueira da Foz, Portugal.

More information and complete details...

CrossGems 1.2 released

CrossGems 1.2 is a free update for all CrossGems and Panther users that, in addition to bug fixes, includes new tools and features to simplify workflow and offer more design versatility.

The main features of this version are:

• Real-time distances between gems and cabochons
• Manually placed parametric gems and cabochons
• Break history (de-parametrize objects)
• Auto hatch tool
• Object on curve tool
• Auto splop tool
• Planify curve tool
• Flow by curve tool
• Auto blend curves tool
• Ring resize tool
• Bangle resize tool

See the full changelog here...

Download CrossGems from food4Rhino...

3D footwear creation in Rhino with Botcha

Footwear designers constantly seek efficient workflows and tools to enhance their creative process. This Rhino + Botcha workflow offers valuable features that can significantly improve footwear development. 

Watch the video to learn how the remapper, modifiers, and UV functionalities can help streamline the 3D footwear development process.

More information about Botcha for Rhino...

2Shapes 4.1 for Rhino now released

2Shapes has just announced the release of 2Shapes for Rhino – Version 4.1. This update brings a range of enhancements and new features that will elevate your Rhino design and modeling experience to new heights. 

Among the general performance improvements and multiple bug fixes, there are a few significant improvements that make version 4.1 an essential upgrade: 

• Seamless integration with 2Shapes Next, the in-store jewelry design platform
• Compatibility with new Free, Business, and Unlimited Plans
• Complete integration of Moissanite

More information...

KeyShot for Rhino - Online in English and Spanish

New online course on Rhino3D.Education, check it out: 

Essentials in KeyShot for Rhino 7

The Essentials in KeyShot for Rhino 7 online course is now available in English and Spanish. It's still a WIP (work in progress), and new chapters will be added weekly, so for a limited time, take advantage of the WIP introductory price and get 50% off with code: KEYSHOT50OFF

KeyShot is one of the fastest and most user-friendly programs for creating photorealistic images and animations. During this course, you can explore and experiment with materials, textures, lights, cameras, and editing to obtain quality results in your Rhino projects.

Dulce Chavez, the author of the course, has designed this course for beginners, so join her and learn step-by-step how to merge Rhino and KeyShot for your projects!

Enroll now while the course is still a WIP and save 50%!

Register here!

Plus, upon conclusion, you will receive a certificate of completion for this course. Get started today!

Questions? Contact Dulce at dulce@mcneel.com

Rhino3D.Education offers online courses in Rhino, Grasshopper, Computational Design, GhPython, PanelingTools, RhinoCAM, V-Ray, and more. Check it out!

Getting to know... CyBe: 3D Concrete Printing meets Grasshopper!

In this interview, ShapeDiver talks with CyBe, a Dutch technology company revolutionizing the construction industry with its state-of-the-art 3D concrete printing technology. Explore how they use this technology to create affordable housing while reducing the carbon footprint of their projects.

You'll also learn about the different types of printers they offer and how their proprietary software tools streamline the printing process. Dive into how they use Grasshopper and ShapeDiver to create online configurators that any client can easily use.

Read the complete interview...

Robotic Fabrication with COMPAS FAB

25. 26. May 2023

Robotic Fabrication with COMPAS FAB, PAZ Central - ETH, Zurich

24. May 2023 - Pre - Compas, PAZ Central - Zurich

Digital Fabrication in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry requires the seamless integration of diverse tools and software across various domains. COMPAS, a comprehensive open-source computational framework in Python, simplifies the integration of cutting-edge tools and streamlines multi-disciplinary workflows, making it easier for architects, designers, and researchers to adopt them within parametric design settings.

In this 2-day workshop, Gonzalo Casas of Gramazio Kohler Research - ETH will introduce participants to the COMPAS framework, showcasing its core functionality, extension packages, and compatibility with Rhino 3D. Participants will then collaboratively explore a hands-on example focused on robotic fabrication of a discrete assembly guided step-by-step.

More Info + Registration...

Digital Fabrication Showcase by RhinoFabStudio

View Magazine

To all our Certified RhinoFabStudios, ARTCs, and ARTs, we want to thank you and express our appreciation for all the work that you do.

We have created a portfolio called Digital Fabrication Showcase that includes outstanding computational designed projects manufactured in these centers worldwide before 2020. Check out these exceptional projects!

If you are a Certified RhinoFabStudio, ARTC, and ART, please share your most remarkable projects with us so we can include them in our new portfolio. We want to display your projects and developments in the latest version of our Digital Fabrication Showcase.

Fill out this form to get started!

For more information, please get in touch with Lucia Miguel at lucia@mcneel.com

What is RhinoFabStudio? A RhinoFabStudio™ (fabrication studio) is a small-scale digital workshop, certified by McNeel, with an array of Rhino and Rhino compatible software and computer-controlled tools and training. These tools cover the various leading-edge industrial methods and materials needed to design, analyze, and fabricate almost anything.

To become a Certified RhinoFabStudio, visit this link!

VisualARQ 2.13 released!

 

VisualARQ 2.13 is now available to download!

 

This is a free update for VisualARQ users.

 

It includes new features and fixes for issues reported by users:

• Now reference VisualARQ objects with the Grasshopper Player
• Added Chinese (Traditional) language
• Component to get the start and end planes of a beam
• New API scripts available
•  Improvements in performance
• Support to V-Ray Interactive Render

 

More information...

Download VisualARQ 2.13...

 

VisualARQ Labs

One of the main features of VisualARQ 2.13 is the option to create new commands involving VisuaARQ objects. We have arranged some of them in the VisualARQ Labs plugin, which streamlines the modeling process.

 

More information... 

Bella, a Render plugin for Rhino WIP

 

DiffuseLogic is pleased to announce the public release of Bella 23.3, which supports the future Rhino 8 on both Windows and MacOS (supporting both Intel for Rhino 6 & 7 and Apple Silicon for Rhino 8). Other highlights include improvements in performance and many features such as grass, volumetrics, subdivision, displacement, IES lights, render-time corner rounding, new 2D and 3D textures, render-time projections for all 2D textures, Live Lights, and of particular interest to many Rhino users, an Auto-boolean feature that allows proper rendering of gems with no need to cut pockets.

More information...

Tweener plugin: New version on food4Rhino

In Rhino, to tween means to generate curves that interpolate between given input curves. The word's first appearance is not entirely clear—it was used at least as far back as in Tolkien, but it is safe to think of the word as the verb form of "between". In any case, tweening is a very basic operation and a fundamental part of the designer's toolbox. However, it can quickly result in curves that intersect each other or self-intersect, even on moderately complex input curves. Crossing tween curves are often undesired for aesthetic and practical reasons.

Tweener is a Rhino and Grasshopper plugin that solves this problem. It strictly guarantees the absence of crossings and intersections whenever the input curves don't intersect. In its simplest use case, the TweenPlanCurv Grasshopper component can be used directly as a stand-in replacement for the TweenCrv component, and the command TweenCurves2 can replace TweenCurves. Moreover, Tweener allows any number of closed planar input curves—not just two or any two but not necessarily closed input curves on a given surface or brep—not just in a plane. Tweener can also generate an entire color gradient scalar field instead of finitely many curves.

Whereas control points control NURBS curves, a Tweener curve is defined by the shape of the region's boundary curves. Thus, they are drawn interactively by manipulating their boundary. This provides a different perspective on curve modeling: In fact, Tweener comes with an interactive editing environment, starting with the TweenerStart command, that allows the designer to tweak and adjust the often very generic look of force field curves to give them a more individual hand-drawn touch. All Tweener output curves are modeled simultaneously, and at the same time, Tweener guarantees to maintain the absence of crossings and intersections.

Download from food4Rhino...

Empowering Engineers with ShapeDiver: The Future of 3D Product Configurators

 

All businesses have been seeking ways to automate tasks related to sales, design, and manufacturing workflow. One platform that has made this process simpler and more cost-effective is ShapeDiver. As an online platform for hosting and sharing Grasshopper files, ShapeDiver allows businesses to easily create online tools like 3D product configurators and share them with clients and colleagues without needing specific software licenses or Grasshopper experience. This greatly expands the reach and usefulness of Grasshopper files, making it possible for non-technical stakeholders to access the power of parametric design via any web browser. 

In this article, BIM Corner explores the benefits of using the ShapeDiver plugin to Grasshopper for engineers in the AEC industry.

Read the complete article...

A New Digital Wind Tunnel App in Rhino

A New Digital Wind Tunnel App in Rhino

April 19, 2023

3:00 pm CET / 9:00 am ET

SimScale has launched a new microclimate modeling app, a Rhino plugin visualizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations directly from within Rhino! The app used the powerful CAD tools in Rhino and integrates SimScale's fast and accurate wind and outdoor comfort studies tools.

Attend an upcoming webinar and learn how architects and engineers use this new app for microclimate design insights. See how to set up and run a complete simulation of a city model from Rhino step by step, including how to:

• Start with a CAD model in Rhino
• Use the app to set up the climate data and location
• Run the simulations without leaving Rhino
• Postprocess and visualize the simulation results directly in Rhino
  
  

This app was developed jointly by Thornton Tomesetti and SimScale.  Presenters are Jeroen Janssen and Richard Szoeke-Schuller. Jeroen is an Associate Director leading the CORE studio team for Thornton Tomasetti in London. Jeroen mainly focuses on the design of microclimates for urban spaces. Richard Szoeke-Schuller is a Product Manager at SimScale and has an extensive background in applied mathematics and mechanical engineering.

Register for this live event. Even if you cannot attend, you will receive the recording.