Rhino events in South Africa

SimplyRhino South Africa kindly invites you to join the following Rhino User Meetings:

• July 18 - Rhino User Group - Cape Town
   This is a free two-hour networking and information-gathering event aimed at those in the boat building industry who either want to learn more about Rhino or are users of Rhino. Presentations will be done by experts from the marine industry on using Rhino for boat design.
   
• August 30 - Rhino User Group - Johannesburg
   This is a free two-hour networking and information-gathering event aimed at those in design industry and architecture who either want to learn more about Rhino or are users of Rhino. Presentations will be done by various experts from the industry on using Rhino.

Register for free at your earliest convenience here and check also the training courses offered in parallel...

RhinoPiping 0.9.11

RhinoPiping is a new plugin, developed by NAVINN Software, that allows creating piping networks in a 3D environment and forwarding information to people working in engineering offices, purchasing, subcontracting, manufacturing, assembly, and testing.

RhinoPiping 0.9.11 has been released. See the release notes and download the beta version.

RevUp Render, Cloud Rendering



This scene rendered in minutes, not hours.

RevUp Render Cloud Rendering with V-Ray 2.0 for 3D Artists and Architects

RevUp Render announces a new cloud rendering service supporting V-Ray 2.0 rendering software from the Chaos Group. With the RevUp Render cloud computing platform, 3D graphics professionals can use the power of massive render farms and high-end production workstations via the cloud—allowing studios and artists to easily scale processing power up or down as needed.

With V-Ray 2.0 rendering software running as part of the RevUp Render platform, artists and studios employing 3D software with distributed rendering capabilities, including Rhino, and other packages that integrate V-Ray and its distributed rendering (DR) feature can now work completely in the cloud—from beginning to end.

Details...

New book for Jewelry designers

Logis3D just announced a new book addressed to Jewelry designers: "Progettare la gioielleria in 3D con Rhinoceros"

With more than 300 pages and 40 step by step tutorials, this book teaches advanced modeling and editing techniques, rendering and also how to introduce Grasshopper into your workflow.

More details (in Italian) and book preview...

VSR Shape Modeling update

Virtual Shape Research (VSR) announces the availability of the service releases Shape Modeling 1.1.1 and Realtime Renderer 3.1.1. Both releases are free for existing customers and work with the 1.1 resp. 3.1 license.

For more information please visit http://www.virtualshape.com/en/news

Recent Robot news

The news was a bit slow in the past months, as Robots in Architecture was busy organizing the upcoming Rob|Arch 2012 conference. Here’s what happened recently:

Red Bull Arch

On June 1st, artists C. Neugebauer and M. Köhldorfer unveiled their huge 17x23m aluminum arch sculpture for the Red Bull Circuit in Spielberg/Austria. The robotic fabrication of the 83 positive foam molds was all done using a customized version of KUKA|prc on a KUKA KR150-2 robot, which the artists purchased from the automotive industry for this particular project. The Association helped them set up the robot, customized KUKA|prc for their particular needs and developed a workflow for efficiently producing all parts of the arch. Neugebauer and Köhldorfer will provide an in-depth look into that project at our Rob|Arch conference in December.

KUKA|prc new release

We are proud to announce a new version of KUKA|prc that is based on a fully rewritten robot-engine, opening up a huge range of new possibilities. First and foremost, KUKA|prc is no longer limited to linear-toolpaths, as needed e.g. for milling, but can work with a wide variety of motion commands with adjustable speeds: Linear motions, Point-to-point motions, and direct axis commands. Correctly using these specialized movement commands can greatly optimize robotic jobs. More...

More Robot News...

And don't miss the Robot workshop at eCAADe 2012 in Prague (Czech Republic)...

New STF4 video

This video showcases a 4-day intensive workshop experience held at RoboFold during the last Shape To Fabrication in November 2011. During the course over 25 tutors, working professionals from the UK and abroad mentored around 25 students in using digital tools with contemporary software and hardware:

1. RoboFold // Kangaroo/Lobster: (Gregory Epps/Daniel Piker/Jeg Dudley)
2. Archiwaste // SMART Form: (Rupert Maleczek/Sam Joyce/Al Fisher)
3. Cutting Edge // Evolute Tools: (Kevin Hoy/Florin Isvoranu/Mathias Hoebinger)
4. Cordek // Grasshopper/Galapagos: (Lawrence Friesen/David Rutten)

More details here...

Jukbuin Pavilion Barcelona

Jukbin is an experimental pavilion with an innovative constructive solution, seeking efficiency in cost and energy. The pavilion had a very tight budget (1.500€). The structural system is a technological adaptation of traditions of weaving and basketery: inter-weaving a network of very flexible elements to achieve a rigid “structural fabric”. The proposal demonstrates alternatives to the current building systems. In the pavilion there are 15 standardized panels only, without generating any waste.

The stand was part of the eme3 architecture festival in Barcelona last weekend.

The project was designed by CODA (Enrique Soriano and Pep Tornabell), and built with students of ETSAV, and colaborators. The space hosted festival activities and a series of debates organized by the student community.

Rhino in the movies

Note: This image is the property of Sony Pictures 2012.

Digital set designer, Scott Schneider, has spent the last 10 years using Rhino. His portfolio includes an impressive movie list, including Star Trek, the Avengers, GI Joe, Inception, Shutter Island . . . . For one of the latest, Men in Black 3, Scott's primary job was the background prop weapons. He says, 'All models were done in Rhino 3D for the purpose of rapid prototyping or CNC manufacturing."

Scott's portfolio . . .

Prototyping Event 2012

Prototyping Event 2012
Kortrijk, Belgium
June 27

Howest | Industrial Design Center with its ProtoLab, presents the fifth edition of the Prototyping Event, unique in its kind in Flanders. 

Where do prototyping and corporate strategy meet? In several phases of a design process, prototypes give information about functionality, shape, tactility, assembly, etc. They visualize concepts and speed up decision making. Choosing between traditional, additive, or virtual techniques and estimating time and budget, are important aspects in a strategic point of view of every company involved in product development, architecture, entertainment etc.

Come visit the stand of McNeel Europe and Rinus Roelofs to learn more about Rhino!

Update (July 2, 2012): see some photos here!

EvoluteTools PRO workshop

Optimizing discrete and semi-discrete models of Freeform Envelopes for fabrication

Paneling / Geometry Optimization / Developable strips / Scripted facades

When, where

eCAADe 2012 / September 10 / Full day workshop

Czech Technical University in Prague and Faculty of Architecture

Target audience

Students and professionals in Architecture, Design, Engineering and Fabrication

What participants can expect to learn in this workshop

Participants will be introduced to the principle of subdivision modeling and its generalisation (combining different global and local subdivision rules). We will have an in-depth look at mesh optimization and how it can be applied for construction aware design of panelisations. Throughout the whole workshop EvoluteTools PRO 2.0 for Rhino will be used by the attendees for hands-on examples and exercises. Participants can bring their own designs (freeform surfaces) to be panelised.

EvoluteTools PRO is an advanced Rhino plug-in providing access to powerful paneling and geometry optimization tools for freeform surfaces with a user friendly interface. Participants will receive a 15 day evaluation license of EvoluteTools PRO to further explore its capabilities.

Workshop presenter

Arch. Florin Isvoranu, Evolute GmbH

Maximum and minimum number of workshop participants

Minimum 5, maximum 10

Prerequisites necessary for  participants

Experience in Rhino, basic knowledge of subdivision modeling, knowledge of RhinoScript is advantageous

Platform used, required software, hardware

Rhino4 SR9, Windows, Monkey Script Editor, personal laptop

Detailed timeline

• Introduction to subdivision modeling for designing panelisations (45 minutes)
• Introduction to mesh optimization (75 minutes)
• Showcasing analysis modes (30 minutes)
• Advanced constraint fitting (45 minutes)
• In-depth mesh and polymesh editing, curve networks for double curved panels (45 minutes)
• Developable strips  (60 minutes)
• Hands-on examples, panelising designs of participants or creating panelised designs from scratch (2 hours)
• Specific topics in mesh optimization (planar quad meshes, circle packing meshes) (60 minutes)
• Introduction to the EvoluteTools PRO RhinoScript interface (60 minutes)

Registration

Attendance is free for all eCAADe 2012 registrants, however, seats are limited, to reserve your seat please contact Evolute GmbH.

Facebook Event page

Generative geometric modeling

Generative geometric modeling: an algorithmic approach

This thesis by Antonio Turiello analyzes an approach to generative modeling based on the algorithmic logic through some applications in the field of geometric modeling. The methodological evolution in digital age can be understood in the meaning that modeling assumes in generative design, becoming an integral part of the generation process of a more unique solution. The algorithm is the description of the logical process that enables an approach to generative modeling both intuitive and versatile. The tool used in the algorithmic approach is the plug-in Grasshopper, a visual editor for scripting applied to the modeling software Rhino.

In the thesis are some generative algorithms for analyzing the above approach:

• Ruled surfaces
• Loft Surfaces
• Shape tweens
• Attractors

Real modeling tools illustrate the results as well as briefly describe the procedures to realization, coming to some conclusions about the algorithmic approach used and its productive potential in the design.

See the thesis (in Italian) at http://antonioturiello.blogspot.com/2012/02/modellazione-geometrica-generativa-un_16.html

V-Ray 1.5 for Rhino update available

Users of V-Ray 1.5 for Rhino can download a free update from the Chaos Group downloads page. The update features improvements and fixes that make V-Ray 1.5 for Rhino more stable and responsive:

• More stable DR
• Made RT more responsive to Rhino events, removed unnecessary refreshes, and introduced lock viewport option
• Fixed scene upgrade issues
• Improved scene loading time 
• UI improvements

Check out the full list of improvements and fixes and download the free update.

More Rhino jobs...

Looking for a new job?  Several new Rhino job opportunities have been posted.  Take a look...

From Coroflot:

• Senior Industrial Designer - Plantronics (Santa Cruz, CA)
• Furniture Designer - Whalen Furniture Mfg., Inc (San Diego, CA)
• More...

From LinkedIn:

• Industrial Designer, Microsoft Hardware Team (Redmond, WA)
• Associate Industrial Design Manager - Teague (Greater Seattle area)
• Industrial Engineer - Boating Industry (Green Bay, WI)
• More...

From the Rhino Jobs board:

• Rendering Artist - Jewelry Industry, Gemvara (Boston, MA)
• Matrix Jewelry Designer (Dubai, UAE)
• CAD/CAM Jewelry Designer (Rockville Centre, NY)
• Freelance 3D Designer - Jewelry & Product Design (New York, NY)
• More...

Chaos Group is hiring

Rhino third-party developer, Chaos Group, is hiring.  They are looking for skilled professionals to fill a variety of positions.  Job descriptions and details are posted on our Rhino Jobs page.  Positions include:

• Customer Support Representative
• Senior Software Engineer
• Software Engineer

Chaos Group makes V-Ray for Rhino.

Details...

Clayoo - Clay Modeling for Rhino

TDM Solutions just announced the first public beta version of Clayoo - Clay Modeling for Rhino.

Visit now www.clayoo.com and get started!

Rhino DOF Course in Miami, July 23-27

Rhino Design, Optimization & Fabrication (DOF)
July 23-27, 2012
Miami, FL

Join Andres Gonzalez at McNeel Miami for an intensive week-long course. This fast-moving class covers most of Rhino's functionality, including the most advanced surfacing commands. In addition, this course will give participants a functional understanding of the Grasshopper, allowing them to build on this understanding into more advanced projects of their own.  Time will be spent on fabrication and optimization using RhinoCAM.

Contact Jackie Nasser or call (305) 513-4445 to register.

Details...

Online Level 1 Rhino Course, July 12-26

Our next online Level 1 Rhino for Windows course begins next month on Thursday, July 12th.  The class will take place over a two-week period.  Seats are filling quickly, Sign up now!

Dates and course details follow:

Orientation: Thursday, July 12, 9:00am-10:30am (Pacific)
Calculate your time zone.

Class Dates/Hours: July 16, 17, 19 and 23, 24 and 26 (Mon/Tues/Thurs for two weeks), 9:00am-1:00pm (Pacific)

In our online class you'll learn to create and edit accurate free-form 3D NURBS models. This fast-moving class covers most of Rhino's functionality, including the most advanced surfacing commands.

The class will be conducted in English using the GoToTraining software.  All sessions are live and will be recorded for later viewing.

You will need: 

• Rhino 4.0 for Windows software installed. The Rhino 4.0 for Windows evaluation version is okay.  
• A stable and fast Internet connection.  
• A headset/mic combo.  
• A hard copy of the Rhino Level 1 Training Manual.

Register...

SnSScript WIP: Scan&Solve™ scripting plugin for Rhino

The Work In Progress (WIP Version 2012.6.8.0) of the Scan&Solve™ Scripting plugin for Rhino is now available to owners of Academic and Commercial licenses of Scan&Solve™. It will operate until July 8, 2012. This scriptable version of Scan&Solve™ allows users to automate simulation processes that otherwise require user interaction. In the scriptable version, most of the functionality of the original Scan&Solve™ plugin is exposed for calls from RhinoScript, including simulation setup, simulation computation, and solution visualization and querying. 

The 32-bit version of the Scan&Solve™ scripting plugin works with Rhino 4 (SR9) and the 32-bit version of Rhino 5. A 64-bit version of the plugin is also available. It works with the 64-bit version of Rhino 5.

Learn more ...

Download SNScript WIP...

Purchase Scan&Solve for Rhino...

HKU:International Summer Program in Computational Design

HKU International Summer Program in Computational Design
Digital Practice : Hong Kong

For a successful architectural project, the efficiency of design communication and the control of information-flow are as important as the creativity of ideas. In response to the concurrent digital evolution emerging in the architectural industry world-wide, the Department of Architecture at The University of Hong Kong will host a two-week intensive summer program named Digital Practice.

Led by professors from The University of Hong Kong, as well as invited practitioners with expertise in practice of cutting edge digital techniques, the program offers participants opportunities to experience applications of computational tools during different stages of an architectural project, i.e. concept design, form finding and optimization, delivery, management and communication of design information under the team-based working environment. By learning advanced computational techniques through case studies in the context of Hong Kong, participants are expected to go beyond the conventional perception of technology, considering users and tools as a feedback-based entity instead of a dichotomy. The program, which is taught in English, includes a series of evening lectures related delivered by teaching staff and invited local architects.

Date: 2-12 August, 2012

Venue:3/F, Knowles Building, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

Registration deadline: 30 June, 2012

More Detail....

Neon 1.0 Beta 7 Now Available

Hi all!

There's a new Neon!

http://v5.rhino3d.com/group/neon

This is a pretty huge new release.  There’s a new “Neon Material” type which adds glossy reflection and refraction along with Fresnel reflections (car paint/porcelain style).  If you have Rhino Render current, you can change one of your plain vanilla materials to the new Neon material by right-clicking it and choosing “Change (copy similar settings)”.

We have also improved the “HUD” (head up display).  There’s now a pause button and a lock button.  Pause stops the rendering – lock makes it so that no changes actually take hold, so the rendering will continue even if you start moving stuff around.  You can also change the number of passes by right-clicking on the max pass number at the end of the bar.

We’ve also started to support some of the display mode settings – so you can now have something that approximates a Neon “shaded mode”.  Most important, perhaps, is the support for custom display mode backgrounds – you can set a color color or background image and still use the environment for lighting and reflections.

One *big* caveat.  Existing Neon users may find that their display mode is set to “Solid Color” by default.  This is because of an error in the original display mode definition which wasn’t picked by because we didn’t support it.  Since we now allow you to change the display mode to whatever you like, and the values stick….then it means that values that are erroneous will stick too.

A complete list of changes from Beta 6c is below:

• Added a new Command "NeonHUD" to toggle the visibility of the Neon status overlay
• Added a new Command "NeonRenderControl" to allow pausing the rendering of Neon and locking Neon from restarting from updates.
• Neon will now automatically pause and resume while the user runs any of these commands: Render, RenderPreview, RenderInWindow, RenderWindow, or ReduceMesh.
• Removed Neon HUD from ViewCaptureToFile/Clipboard captures.
• Fully support the different RDK procedural noise types.
• Support Rhino Display Appearance "Color & Material usage" settings.
• Support Rhino Display Appearance "Background" settings.
• Support Rhino Display Appearance "Flat Shading" setting.
• Support Rhino Display Appearance "Lighting Method" settings except "No Lighting".
• Support Rhino Display Appearance "Use lights on layers that are off" setting.

Bug Fixes

• Neon no longer overwrites changes to the display mode settings.
• Neon retains document settings such as max passes correctly.
• Fixed two-point perspective "missing function" error.
• Raytraced (Neon) display mode now defaults to "Use Renderer" as the background mode.

Notes

• When a new update happens and Neon is paused, it will unpause and start rendering unless it is also locked.
• If Neon is locked, nothing the user does should cause a restart. All the updates are cached and ready to be processed when unlocked.
• If Neon is locked and the scene is modified, the wireframes will not match.
• Sparse convolution noise is really slow and does not work in the bump slots.

Enjoy!

Rhino training in Chicago, July 16-18

Authorized Rhino Training Center, Avanti Jewelers, in Chicago is offering a Level 1 Rhino course on July 16-18.  Sign up early. Seats are limited.

Register...

Laboratorul de Arhitectura (Bucharest, Romania)

Laboratorul de Arhitectura

Bucharest, Romania

July 6-9, 2012

Laboratorul de Arhitectura invites you to participate at this summer's digital design workshop with Grasshopper, seeking to create an inventive collaborative environment.

Aimed primarily at students, architects, urban designers, engineers, landscape architects.

Details and registration...

Computational design symposium & workshops (Izmir, Turkey)

Computational Design,
International Symposium & Workshop 
Yasar University, Faculty of Architecture (Izmir, Istanbul)
20-22 June 2012

A 3-day international symposium and workshops on Computational Design at the Yasar University, Faculty of Architecture (Izmir, Istanbul). Program here.

Contact berk.ekici@yasar.edu.tr for further information and registration.

DigitalMed workshop: mapping, parametric design, digital fabrication

DigitalMed workshop: mapping, parametric design, digital fabrication
Third edition of the International Workshop in mapping, parametric design and digital fabrication.
July 2012, Salerno - Italy

The third edition of digitalMed Workshop is structured as a design laboratory. Participants will learn the challenging process of producing ideas, projects and research analysis that are to be developed through specific software and concepts that emerge through the use of mapping, parametric design and digital fabrication.

The workshop will take place in Italy, in the city of Salerno (Italy) and it will last 11 days structured into 3 intensive weekends: July 13-14-15 (mapping); July 19-20-21-22 (parametric design); July 26-27-28-29 (digital fabrication).

Goals and objectives:

We aim to make clear the theoretical and technical knowledge in the approach to parametric and generative design and digital fabrication. (From collection and data management, to the manner in which these inform the geometries, to the fabrication of prototypes.) Participants will also have the opportunity to practice the new knowledge gained in the design laboratory through project work.

Project theme:

"Urban Field" Identify, study and analyze the system of public spaces in the urban area of the city of Salerno. Connection, mutation, generation and evolution are the themes to be followed in project work.

• Mapping. Our reality, in all its forms, has studied through concepts of the theory of Complex Systems. The techniques that will be used to study events and places of reality, will work for the management, manipulation and visualization of data and information. These will form the basis for project management and driven geometry, conducted during the second phase of the workshop.
• Parametric Design. Introduction to Rhino and Grasshopper. Specifically, we will explain the concepts with which to work with the software of parametric design and how they function. Through these tools, we will arrive at the definition of systems of mathematical and / or geometrical relationships that are able to generate and govern patterns, shapes and objects that will inform the final design.
• Digital Fabrication. In this phase, participants of the workshop are organized into working groups. Participants have access to  materials and conceptual apparatus that will take them directly to the fabrication of the geometries of the project, with the use of software CAD / CAM interface  and the use of machines for the  digital fabrication.

The  DigitalMed workshop is organized by Nomad AREA (Academy of Research  & Training in topics of Contemporary Architecture), in collaboration with the City of Salerno,  the Order of Architects Province of Salerno and the National Institute of Architecture In / Arch - Campania.

Complete details...

Cadwax Ring Wizard V3.94

Cadwax Ring Wizard V3.94 for Rhino is now available. This update includes a new 3D texture tool and scale by weight.

A free demo is available here (open to previous users who wish to trial the plugin again).

Air Quality Egg

We are constantly surprised and amazed by the new and different things Rhino is used for. Two designers, Ed Borden and Usman Haque, are now using Rhino for an interesting community project. They've come up with a sensing device to measure the air quality. It's significant, as it measures the air quality next to you, remote collection spot set up for the region.

The egg-shaped device is something you can build yourself for a nominal fee. Or you can pledge $100 or more for the fully assembled version. Details are on Kickstarter.

"The Air Quality Egg is a sensor designed to allow anyone to collect very high resolution readings of NO2 and CO concentrations outside of their home. These two gases are the indicative elements related to urban air pollution that are sense-able by inexpensive, DIY sensors," Ed Borden.

The information is then shared online in real-time discussion in an open Google Group.

More information . . .

Facades Conference and workshops, San Francisco

Collaboration: The Art and Science of Building Facades

July 26-27, 2012
San Francisco, CA


Presented by The Architect's Newspaper, the Facades Conference will be held July 26 and 27 in San Francisco.  They recently announced their workshop schedule.  All workshops will take place on July 27th at California College of the Arts.  Choose from:

• Parametric Envelopes with Grasshopper with Andrew Kudless
• Composite Facades in Architecture with Bill Kreysler & Joshua Zabel
• Responsive Building Facades with Jason Kelly Johnson
  Using Grasshopper, Firefly & Arduino micro-controller
• Scripted Facades with Chris Lasch
  Using Grasshopper, RhinoPython scripting
• Parametric Facade Tectonics with Kevin McClellan & Andrew Vrana
  Using Rhino, Grasshopper, PanelingTools
• BIM Modeling with Revit with German Aparicio

Details and registration...

Seminar: Rhino-Revit interoperability

ThreeKC M&E und Architektur Live 2012
14 Juni 2012 - 18h
Vienna, Austria

Join this free seminar, organized by KKKC, to learn more about Rhino 5 Beta, V-Ray for Rhino, Rhino-Revit interoperability, and much more!

Details and free registration (in German)...

RhinoGold presentation and training in Dubai

Learn jewelry design with RhinoGold now also in Dubai (UAE):

• June 11-14: RhinoGold training
• June 15: RhinoGold presentation - Free

Details and registration...