Wednesday, July 5, 2023

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. 

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... 

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

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...


Monday, June 19, 2023

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...

Friday, June 16, 2023

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...


Wednesday, June 14, 2023

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!




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!

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

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.

Monday, June 12, 2023

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!


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!

Monday, June 5, 2023

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.

Thursday, June 1, 2023

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...


Wednesday, May 31, 2023

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!


 

Monday, May 29, 2023

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.

Thursday, May 25, 2023

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


Wednesday, May 24, 2023

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...


Thursday, May 4, 2023

KeyShot for Rhino - Online in English and Spanish




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

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%!


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!

Monday, May 1, 2023

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...

Friday, April 28, 2023

Robotic Fabrication with COMPAS FAB



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.



Thursday, April 27, 2023

Digital Fabrication Showcase by RhinoFabStudio



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 RhinoFabStudioARTC, 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... 

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

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.


Monday, April 17, 2023

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...

Friday, April 14, 2023

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...

Monday, April 10, 2023

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.


Thursday, March 30, 2023

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...

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

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.

Monday, March 27, 2023

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.

Thursday, March 16, 2023

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...


Thursday, March 9, 2023

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.
 

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

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...