Hidden Geometry Sculpture Show at ZINC Art & Object

New Works by Tim Celeski at ZINC Art + Object

From January 18th through February 10th, ZINC Art + Object in Edmonds, Washington will feature new sculptural works by Tim Celeski. Hidden Geometry contrasts geometric and organic forms with the unique natural beauty of wood.

A Rhino and Grasshopper user, Tim is best known for his extensive line of custom furniture. His creative work continues to evolve and he is now creating and showing new sculptural wood pieces. Using reclaimed and cast-off wood, Tim looks for material that is unique in its form and imperfections – often spalted or filled with worm holes with grain and patterns determined by the life of the tree. The results are panels, vessels, and free standing sculpture sized from 10 inches to over 10 feet. Like the trees the wood comes from each piece is unique, tactile with a sensuous surface that’s meant to be touched.

PanelFlow release - A Unified Workflow For Panel Producers

Evolute GmbH is pleased to announce the release of PanelFlow, a family of plugins for Rhino, addressed to panel manufacturers. 

"After years of working with world-class panel producers for the building industry, we are happy to launch PanelFlow, a software solution that we built up from our experience in the whole workflow of panel production. PanelFlow allows you to handle simple and complex jobs with ease in a unified system. PanelFlow is based on a family of plugins for Rhino, making use of the great versatility offered by Rhino".

More info...

Parametric Winter School (second edition) - February 25 - March 3, Zakopane (Poland)

Parametric Winter School

Rhinoceros + Grasshopper

Virtual Reality and Generative Bending

February 25 - March 3, 2017

Zakopane (Poland)

Architektura Parametryczna (a digital design educational platform) invites you to the second edition of Parametric Winter School, a week of coding and fun that will take place from February 25 to March 3 in Zakopane (Poland).

Tutors:

Kacper Radziszewski (Architektura Parametryczna)

"Virtual Reality helps us to explore and understand architecture from other aspects, combined with parametric tools is a powerful design method. The aim of the workshop is to understand and learn how to employ this technique in architectural projects".

Maria Smigielska (ETHZ)

"The workshop aims to explore varied digital methodologies of spatial frame structure generation as well as its following fabrication. Students will work with generic element as metal rod in the process of its bending, as well as look at different ways of its connecting and assembly. Each group of students will end up building spatial structure of their own patterns".

Seats: 21

Enrollment: wintercamp@archistarter.pl

Early Bird (till January 18) 1400 PLN (350 EUR)
Regular (till February 15) 1600PLN (420 EUR)
Late Bird 1800PLN (480 EUR)

More info ...



Available soon: View Optimization Using Galapagos for Grasshopper

ThinkParametric added a new online tutorial to their Foundation Training Courses: Views Optimization Using Galapagos for Grasshopper. This course will focus on creating your own optimization tools inside Grasshopper using Galapagos, optimizing building shapes according to their views.

This course is a continuation of the Galapagos 101 course and a more hands-on case study.

Galapagos uses an evolutionary-based algorithmic solver. A population of candidate solutions is maintained, and new candidate solutions are generated randomly by mutating or recombining variants in the existing population. By applying a selection criterion the population is pruned. The best candidates survive into the next generation. Iterated over many generations, the quality of the solutions in the candidate pool gradually increases.

By mastering Galapagos and understanding the power of an evolutionary solver, you can make smarter and better-informed decisions early in the design process.

More info on the course ....

In-Formation - an installation by Ross Lovegrove for Alcantara® at Imm Cologne (Germany)

In-formation
Imm Kölnmesse
(between Halls 3 and 11)
Messeplatz 1
50679 Köln
January 16-22, 2017

Opening Hours: Mon: 9am-9pm; Tue-Sat: 9pm-6am; Sun: 9am-5pm
Press Conference: January 17, 2017 - 10 am

A>T announced its second collaboration with Ross Lovegrove for "In-Formation", an Alcantara® installation for Imm Cologne, the international interiors show.

This large scale project (about 3meters H x 20meters L), made using Alcantara® fabric stripes, has been a proving ground for A>T's longtime research on developable surfaces. The computational design was made by Arturo Tedeschi, Maurizio A. Degni, and Davide Lombardi.

Digital Wood - Master's Thesis Research Project at Chalmers University of Technology

Digital Wood - Design & fabrication of a full-scale exhibition structure in plywood
Team: Viktoria Henriksson, Emil Poulsen and Oscar Gillkvist

Viktoria Henriksson has been kind enough to share with us her Master's Thesis research project, which she did together with Emil Poulsen and Oskar Gillkvist, for which Rhino and Grasshopper were used as the primary design tools.

"Plywood has many times before been used for temporary structures in architecture, mainly because of the relatively low cost and availability. Plywood is often seen as a perfectly flat sheet material, free from otherwise common properties of timber such as imperfections and grain direction. However, plywood is actually a diverse material with inherent dynamic properties associated with the tree it once came from. This is something that is rarely seen in contemporary plywood design but could be emphasized and more accessible through computational design and digital fabrication.

The research project “Digital Wood” investigates and utilizes the bending properties and dynamics of plywood through the use of computational design and digital fabrication. Through a design-by-research approach using full-scale experiments and digital tools, this project seeks to explore new perspectives of programming timber in the field of architecture and design.

In collaboration with industrial partners, a temporary structure was designed and built for the Wood and Technology exhibition in Gothenburg, Sweden to function as a gathering place and visual label for visitors, while exploring new unexpected ways of implementing wood.

3D-modelling in Rhinoceros and Grasshopper played a major role both in the design process and the realization of the pavilion. Custom tools and scripts were developed and used for everything from generation of cutting patterns to automating the production of CNC files. With the use of modern technology and new treatment methods, “Digital Wood” pushes the boundaries for how conventional material can be used to unleash new creative potentials".

Link to the flip book on Issuu...

Rhino Visual Tips 5 - New free chapters!

Start practicing Rhino with the first five chapters from Rhino Visual Tips 5 that are online for free! These are the first 5 from the 18 chapters that Rhino Visual Tips 5 has to offer. To start practicing register at www.Rhino3D.tv and visit this link.

We would like to take this opportunity to offer you a 25% additional discount on the purchase of Rhino Visual Tips 5 from our web page. The coupon code is 25VT.

If you need help or have any questions, please contact Lucia N. Miguel. 

*Note: Rhino Visual Tips 5 is a Download Only product (a USB drive is no longer available). Once your Rhino Visual Tips 5 order is processed you will receive an email with a link via WeTransfer so that you can download it. 

This offer will be valid only until April 28, 2017.

Kine[SIS]tem International Conference + Summer School - June 19-30, Lisbon (Portugal)

Kine[SIS]tem International Conference + Summer School

June 19-30, 2017

Lisbon (Portugal)

Kine[SIS]tem International Conference + Summer School is an international event formed by two interrelated moments: Kine[SIS]tem - From Nature to Architectural Matter, International Conference and Kine[SIS]tem - Shading Systems Summer School.

Kine[SIS]tem - From Nature to Architectural Matter, International Conference

June 19-20, 2017

Kine[SiS]tem – From Kinesis + System. Kinesis is a non-linear movement or activity of an organism in response to a stimulus. A system is a set of interacting and interdependent agents forming a complex whole, delineated by its spatial and temporal boundaries, influenced by its environment.

How can architectural systems moderate the external environment to enhance comfort conditions in a simple, sustainable and smart way? This is the starting question for the Kine[SiS]tem’17 – From Nature to Architectural Matter International Conference.

For decades, architectural design developed despite (and not with) the climate, based on mechanical heating and cooling. Today, the argument for net-zero energy buildings needs effective strategies to reduce energy requirements. The challenge ahead requires design processes that are built upon consolidated knowledge, make use of advanced technologies and are inspired by nature.


Confirmed Keynote Speakers:

Manuel Kretzer - Dr. Sc. ETH Zürich Architect and Advanced Materials Specialist. Visiting professor in Digital Crafting at the Braunschweig University of Art. Partner at responsive design studio, Cologne, Germany.
Bob Sheil - Architect, Director of The Bartlett School of Architecture, Professor in Architecture and Design through Production, and the School’s Director of Technology.
Alex Haw - Director of the award-winning UK art/architecture practice atmos.

We invite you to submit and present an original contribution for Kine[SIS]tem'17. All submissions are peer-reviewed and considered for selection by the Scientific Committee. All accepted full papers will be published.  Please observe the submission types and deadlines on the website.

Areas of Interest

• Nature fundamentals and geometry
• Biomimicry and biodigital architecture
• Parametric design, computational modeling, and simulation
• Performance-based sustainable design
• Performative and responsive systems
• Digital fabrication

Submission
https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=kinesistem17

Kine[SIS]tem - Shading Systems Summer School
June 19-30, 2017

The Kine[SiS]tem’17 – Shading Systems Summer School will integrate master classes, design studios, and prototyping workshops.

The master classes will cover four themes: Sustainability, climate and solar radiation; Nature-based parametric patterns; Performance-based design; Digital fabrication.

The Design Studios will explore using Grasshopper, Ladybug, and Diva as creative and technical tools, from simulation to prototyping 3D responsive architectural solutions.

The summer school is intended for students and professionals from different areas of knowledge – architecture, design, fine arts, engineering, and programming  – who are interested in the design process: from ideation to prototyping.

Important Dates

Call for extended abstracts closure: February 6, 2017
Abstract Acceptance Notification: March 6, 2017
Full paper deadline: May 2, 2017
Conferences: June 19-20, 2017
Summer School: June 19-30, 2017

Contact
kinesistem17@gmail.com 

More information...

Interior Architecture Program Project - Internatomy

Alphonso Peluso is the Director of Design Communication and Studio Associate Professor of Architecture at Illinois Institute of Technology and Adjunct Professor at Columbia College Chicago. His students, Alice Leong, Marianne Batocabe, Lorein Martinez have designed a project inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's human anatomy drawings using Rhino and RhinoCAM.

Project participants: Antwan Anderson, Emily Anderson, Marianne Batocabe, Angela Campos, Taylor Dillon, Bianca Guardiola, Angelica Hayman, Marya Kontogiannis, Alice Leong, Lorein Martinez, Thomas Monforti, Sergio Munozgonzalez Dina Partipilo, Margaret Plass, Tim Puccetti, Jill Reedy, Esbeidi Zavala, and Wenhan Zhang.

Check out the video of their fabrication process:

For more information please contact Alphonso Peluso. 

What is a 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.

Now available: Orca3D Marine Simulation

DRS Technologies and their Orca3D marine design software have now partnered with Simerics, a leading supplier of CFD simulation software to several vertical industries.

Orca3D now links to CFD analysis software. This one solution enables Orca3D users to simulate the performance of marine vehicles using CFD.

By using CFD software, Orca3D can improve hull design, propeller design, and study phenomena such as the porpoising of planing hulls. Orca3D Marine Simulation provides accurate CFD simulations of a vessel's performance. There's no need to become a specialized CFD analyst to take advantage of Orca3D Marine Simulation. The time and the cost to perform CFD simulation for marine vehicle performance prediction and analysis is significantly reduced.

"Our collaboration with Orca3D has enabled the delivery of comprehensive and validated CFD functionality to end users at half the price of today's Marine CFD software," says Rich Moore, Vice President Business Development, Simerics, Inc. "With Orca3D we are bringing an entirely streamlined work flow to Marine CFD using templates with both marine domain and CFD domain in one affordable solution."

"We have added an easy-to-use interface function in Orca3D to prepare the model for analysis in Simerics' CFD application. This, combined with their powerful templates, provides a simple, yet powerful tool to address difficult marine CFD design questions," says Bruce Hays, Director of Orca3D development.

Request a demo ...

DIVA Day 2017 - Mark your calendar

DIVA Day 2017! 

Mark your calendar for October 27-28, 2017, University of California Berkeley.

DIVA Day is an annual symposium to discuss the use of environmental analysis tools in design practice, research, and architectural education. The event will include a series of presentations and discussions focused on how DIVA and associated tools can be used in design and performance-evaluation work flow.

This year the Center for the Built Environment at the University of California Berkeley hosts this event. The event is on Friday, October 27th, plus training on October 28th.

DIVA Day web site ....

New tool from Proving Ground

Introducing the new Trello tools for builders...

Nate Miller of Proving Ground now has a simple and helpful application to keep your digital work organized. This first version is now available as Conductor 1.0.

Conductor 1.0 is a plugin for Rhino 5 for architects, engineers, and builders. The premise of Conductor is simple: bring Trello's Kanban-style management system to where you work, inside the model. You can view your Trello boards, create cards, and manage project requirements from start to finish within the modeling environment.

And to kick off the New Year, Proving Ground has priced a single-user license of Conductor at $10 USD.

Video tutorials ...

To buy ...

RhinoCAM 2017 released

MecSoft has released RhinoCAM 2017, the newest version of their integrated CAM solution for Rhino 5 for Windows.

RhinoCAM is a Computer Aided Machining (CAM) plugin for CNC that runs completely inside of Rhino 5. This plugin is a general purpose machining program, combining Rhino's freeform modeling with the machining capabilities of VisualCAM.

Some of the new features of RhinoCAM 2017 are:

• 2½-axis feature-based milling and detection. Machining features such as 3-axis pockets, prismatic pockets, slots, planar faces, and bosses can now be detected on surfaces and meshes in solid models and toolpath methods applied to these features. This significantly simplifies and speeds up part programming in many prismatic parts.
• 4-axis drive surface milling for true 4-axis milling. All three linear and one rotary axis can change simultaneously in this method (only in EXP configuration and above).
• New 2½-axis slot milling operation for both single line cutting and trochoidal machining of slots.
• The toolpath editor can now adjust feed rate slowdown in corners (only in the PRO configuration and above).

More information...

Correlated Intricacies V1.0 workshop - February 25-March 2, Sofia (Bulgaria)

Correlated Intricacies V1.0 workshop

February 25-March 2 from 10:00 to 18:00

Union of the Architects, Krakra 11 str.

Sofia (Bulgaria)

The international workshop Correlated Intricacies V1.0 focuses on the development of complex architectural detailing with a large variety of components comprising the whole process--from concept through developed design and analysis to digital fabrication and preparation of working drawings. Details will be evaluated down to the point of screws, nails, joints, slots, weatherstripping, etc.

Correlated Intricacies V1.0 begins with expanding the knowledge of existing examples of node-based architectural systems and details currently used in architecture. Participants will be guided to develop skills of algorithmic design and computational strategies applicable for custom-designed node intersection systems in the detailing of point and line connections.

The participants will learn how to model and modify different details of a system parametrically, depending on the shape and purpose of the structure. Participants will choose an existing detail system to study its components and assembly. Each team will develop their own system of details, based on the systems they have studied, using parametric tools and analysis. This detail will be built parametrically so that elements of the assembly can be modified variably while informing the other parts of the detail on how to adjust to these changes.

What you will learn

• Introduction to Grasshopper and algorithmic geometry
• Parametric modeling of complex geometries in Grasshopper and Rhinoceros 5
• Deconstruction and evaluation of detail components
• Modeling of parametrically linked systems
• How to set up a part to part relationships with variables
• Detail and system documentation methods

Tutors
Georgi Kunchev / Bulgaria

Martin Georgiev / Bulgaria  

Required software
Each participant should provide their own computer with the following software installed:

• Rhinoceros and its plugin BoltGen
• Grasshopper (plugins: Kangaroo Physics, Karamba 3D, Weaverbird, Mesh Edit, Mesh Tools)
• KeyShot
• Adobe Suite

Late registration until January 25, 2017.

More info...

Registration...

Facebook event...

  

Design Explorer, an evolving open source design tool

Are you baffled with the many iterations that Grasshopper provides? Which ones are the good ones? Let Design Explorer help. Design Explorer is an interface that lets you visualize and filter groups of iterations.

CORE studio has been working on their Design Explorer, this open source tool for exploring design spaces on the web, for over a year. Now they recently posted a few blog posts explaining is history, goals, and functions. They follow up with a few examples of how Thornton Tomasetti and others are using Design Explorer in practice.

The first post introduces Design Explorer. The second post concentrates on its history and highlights a few projects within the AEC technology community. The third post focuses on how the tool is currently is used in practice by architects, engineers, and designers. Check them out...

Post 1: Announcement
Post 2: Natural History
Post 3: Use Cases

Level 1 Rhino Course in San Francisco

Level 1 Rhino 5 for Windows

February 24-26, 2017 (Friday-Sunday)

Arup | San Francisco

$695.00 per person

Join Maia Merav Holtzman, Authorized Rhino Trainer, for her upcoming Level 1 Rhino 5 for Windows course*. It will be at Arup's San Francisco office the weekend of February 24-26, 2017.

Course Objectives:

• Understand the vocabulary of the Rhino interface
• Understand the features of the Rhino interface
• Customize your tools
• Create basic objects
• Model using coordinate input, object snaps and SmartTrack tools
• Modify curves and surfaces with edit commands
• Use control point editing to modify curves and surfaces
• Analyze your model
• Render your model

*Please note, to attend this class, you will need to bring a laptop with Rhino 5 for Windows installed.

Sign up today!

Facades+ Miami - Symposium and Workshops

Don't miss Facades+ in Miami, January 26-27, 2017!

Thursday, January 26 - Symposium

The Facades+ conference focuses on the design and performance of the next generation of facades. It provides proven insights on how to make your ideas become reality and brings together some of the world’s most productive building professionals and leading researchers from architecture, engineering, construction, fabrication, development, and education. They will share insights on how facades ideas come to life. Check out the agenda that includes opening keynote speaker Shohei Shigematsu from OMA, afternoon keynotes Z Smith and Jose Alvarez from Eskew+Dumez+Ripple!


Friday, January 27 - Workshops

Join McNeel Miami's RhinoFabStudio for a workshop in Data Drive Skins - using Rhino's plugin Grasshopper to build form generators by instructor Andres Gonzalez. 

For more information on the Workshop visit this link. 

Don't miss the opportunity of these Early Birds prices and to earn up to 16 AIA CEU credits! Register now!

Remember to join us at www.RhinoFabStudio.com

What is a 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.

Grasshopper-ARCHICAD Live Connection now available for Mac OS

GRAPHISOFT, a leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software developer for architects, released its intelligent Grasshopper-ARCHICAD Live Connection for the Mac OS. Rhino and Grasshopper users can connect to ARCHICAD on both the Windows and Mac operating systems.

The Rhino-Grasshopper-ARCHICAD connection enables architects to leverage Rhino, Grasshopper, and ARCHICAD to fill the gap in the design process between the early stages and BIM.

Now, Mac users can also access this bidirectional live connection. With tools beyond seamless bidirectional geometry transfer, basic geometrical shapes can be translated into full BIM elements, while maintaining algorithmic editing functionality.

According to Robert McNeel, CEO of McNeel & Associates, "The development of Rhino and Grasshopper for Mac OS is a response to our customers around the world who wanted to work with our products on their favorite platform."

Peter Temesvari, Director of Product Management at GRAPHISOFT, says, "We're pleased to offer this revolutionary algorithmic design solution. Combined with the best architectural BIM solution, running on designers' most popular platform, it ensures the best design experience possible.

More information....

Download the free Grasshopper-ARCHICAD Live Connection for the Mac OS ...

Automated Diagramming with Grasshopper Webinar

Automated Diagramming – Driving Graphic Production with Grasshopper

Thursday, December 15, 2016 

9:30 am-11:30 am PST

Presenter: Andrew Heumann

This session will cover workflow for automating the production of high-quality graphics from Grasshopper, by manipulating Grasshopper’s graphic display, and automating screen captures and renderings, and even automatically populating design layouts, streamlining your workflow for capturing multiple views or design schemes.

About the presenter 

As a Design Technology Specialist at Woods Bagot, Andrew Heumann develops custom tools and workflow for design teams across the firm. Formerly the leader of NBBJ’s Design Computation team, he has written more than 15 plugins for Grasshopper (Human, the most popular, has had more than 20,000 downloads). Andrew has created many custom tools for design teams and practices, aiding in the management of project metrics, environmental and urban analysis, and façade design.

Register...

Rendering with KeyShot 6 and Rhino for Windows - Video by Simply Rhino UK

Simply Rhino UK has just published "Rendering with KeyShot 6 and Rhino for Windows - An Introduction". In this video tutorial Simply Rhino senior instructor Phil Cook introduces KeyShot for Rhino and runs through some basic renderings of a watch.

The starting point for the exercise is a Rhino model of a wrist watch. All the components are modeled as watertight solids and the component sets are on individual layers. For example, the hour, minute, and second hands are separated, as are the painted areas of the hands which will be rendered in a different material. By default, KeyShot applies materials on a per layer basis.

If you are a Rhino for Mac user, keep checking this page, since Simply Rhino UK will be producing a KeyShot for Rhino for Mac tutorial soon.

More info...

Video...

Job Opening at CHAM in London: Software Developer for RhinoCFD

Job Title: Software Developer
Job Level: Junior Level (1-2 years experience)
 
Position Description

CHAM is seeking a Software Developer for its CFD Applications Department at its Wimbledon office, in particular, to focus on the further development of its latest product, RhinoCFD, a plugin integrating CFD capabilities into Rhino.

Main Tasks

• Build upon and improve RhinoCFD, optimizing all aspects of the program, from the menu systems and general interface to the underlying physics and how they are displayed in the Rhino environment.
• Ready the plugin for integration with Rhino 6.
• Begin the integration project with Grasshopper 2.
• Provide support to clients and agents.

Qualifications

• MSc or above in Computational Science, Systems Engineering, Mechanical/Aeronautical Engineering or related field
• Experience with the following programming languages: C#, .NET framework, C++
• Solid CAD knowledge and experience, in particular with Rhino
• 1-2 years of experience using and developing software/plugins
• Knowledge of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Desirable:

• Experience using Rhino and Grasshopper
• Knowledge of FORTRAN
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment

CHAM offers a competitive salary and benefits package to the successful applicant. Applicants are invited to send a current CV and cover letter outlining their unique qualifications for this position to HR@cham.co.uk with the subject heading Software Developer Application – (Your Name).

CHAM accepts direct applications only and does not process submissions via agencies.

RhinoCFD Beta 2 and video series by CHAM - Computational fluid dynamics in Rhino

CHAM has announced the release of RhinoCFD Beta 2, with many bug fixes and improvements from the first Beta version.

New features include:

• Ability to use INFORM to change your case setup
• Free surface models for use in naval, jewelry, and industrial applications
• Cylindrical-Polar meshes
• Streamlined menu system

The trial period for Beta testing has also been expanded, so feel free to try the full plugin free until January 6.

CHAM is also launching a new video series called RhinoCFD Basics. These short clips illustrate the basic concepts of CFD and how to apply them within RhinoCFD so that you can get the most out of your simulations.

Download RhinoCFD Beta2 from food4Rhino...

RhinoCFD Basics video series...

NVIDIA Iray for Rhino Webinar by Rüdiger Raab - December 15, 10 am-11 am CET

NVIDIA Iray for Rhino Webinar

Thursday, December 15, 2016 

10 AM-11 AM CET

Presenter: Rüdiger Raab

On December 15th, McNeel Europe will cohost the webinar NVIDIA Iray for Rhino with the NVIDIA crew.

By attending this webinar, presented by the NVIDIA Iray expert Rüdiger Raab, you will learn about the advantages of visualizing your design in Rhino using photoreal and interactive rendering.

Iray for Rhino delivers a new level of quality when it comes to creating a realistic-looking image of your models. Being an interactive renderer integrated to the Rhino viewport, Iray facilitates judging the look of your design so you can create previews and render high-quality imagery in no time.

The webinar will show you how quickly results can be achieved, the philosophy behind the workflow, and how easy it is to render with Iray.

Register now...

About Rüdiger Raab

Rüdiger has been with NVIDIA ARC for more than 10 years. Having a background in 3D animation, modeling and rendering, he has been with the Iray for Rhino project from its very beginning. His focus lies in rendering, material workflow, and UI design. He is maintaining the Iray for Rhino Youtube channel and the NVIDIA Iray for Rhino forum, providing content to all users seeking information and learning resources for Iray and Iray for Rhino.

How to use VR in your design process

How can augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) be useful in a design practice? What is its potential? What are the problems? At the NewSchool of Architecture and Design's Symposium on Computational Processes in Architecture and Design, Casey Mahon, Director of Design Technology at Carrier Johnson + Culture, discussed this. He focused on the way we use immersive environments and gestural controls in their practice.

In immersive environments, we can inhabit our designs at true scale with Oculus headsets, a phone, and other tools.  We can create, iterate, and evaluate the space through the headset. We can walk through the project. The platforms let designers visualize 3D spatial conditions virtually, at full scale.

Casey also demonstrates mapping geometry and interaction with hand gestures using Grasshopper.

Watch the You Tube video Immersive Environments and Gestural Modeling... 

LutraCAD: Orthotics and insoles design in Rhino

LutraCAD offers specifically developed software for designing insoles/orthotics.

LutraCAD was established by bundling specialized knowledge, technology, and skills. This software is a wonderful tool for foot specialists. Designed with the user experience in mind, the software includes:

• Manager that bundles client information, notes and files
• 2D-package for designing insoles/orthotics with CAD software
• 3D-package as expansion with 3D scan technique 

User friendly

Everyone can work with LutraCAD! With the simple steps, an insole/orthotic can be designed quickly and easily. LutraCAD offers three different user levels, each containing different functions. You can choose the user level that best serves you.

Personal library

LutraCAD features an extensive library, containing various insole/orthotic patterns and elements. Easily add personal elements, patterns and even complete insoles or orthotics of your own. This makes the design process faster and more efficient.

Download LutraCAD from food4Rhino...