Grasshopper Challenge Journal

Week 01 Lofting 02

A I RS h e n g Y i n g A n g 5 1 7 9 2 0

G r a s s h o p p e r C h a l l e n g e J o u r n a l

Week 01 Lofting 02

Grasshopper Challenge Journal

Table of Contents

Week 01

Week 02

Week 03

Week 04

Week 06

01 - 04

05 - 08

09 - 12

13 - 22

23 - 26

Week 01 Lofting


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Week 01 Lofting


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Week 01 Lofting


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Week 01s Grasshopper Challenge involved some basic commands, one of which focuses on lofting. This is a useful command for creating particular surfaces that follow the form of curves.

Essentially curves are drawn in Rhino and referenced in Grasshopper. In this case, a series of curves of various sizes have been drawn at random distances from each other. They are then referenced in Grasshopper and lofted together to form a continuous surface.

In order to give the surface some dimension, the extrusion component is added. This provides a thickness in the x,y,z dimension as desired.

WIth the introduction of number sliders as well, it is useful to know that these sliders are widely used to specify numbers or integers. It is also possible to specify the minimum and maximum point of a slider.

The matrix form is generated through a continuous process of modifying control points and baking. This can be done as many times as possible until a satisfactory form is achieved. This is also a good way to see how the form is evolving and how one can exert control over it.

Clearly this is one area that Grasshopper complements Rhino very well as it allows for recorded history whereby changes made are carried through.


05Week 02 Curve Function

Week 02

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Curve Function


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07Week 02 Curve Function


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The technique used in Week 02s Grasshopper Challenge was mainly division and interpolation of curves.

The task for the week was to construct a beach umbrella or shading device; hence the choice of form. From a singular curve, the repetitive circlular arrangement is achieved through the polar array command through a central point. This forms a skeletal form similar to that of an umbrella.

The curves are then divided to obtain several points. These points are then interpolated to form the structure of the shelter. As sliders are hooked to the divide curve component, this allows for different number of points to be formed along the curve, which means flexibility in terms of distance between curves.

The curves are then extruded to give dimension to the structure.

Week 02 Curve Function


09Week 03 Patterning List

Week 03

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The technique focused in Week 03 is that of patterning. In order to make a shelving unit, I began with a simple surface as a base for the tessellation pattern to be formed.

From the points obtained by dividing surface, a Voronoi surface is plotted. A cull pattern is introduced to the Voronoi surface, which means certain points will be omitted during the process of Voronoi formation. The selective omission of points depend on the Boolean data that can be generated at random. This True/False pattern generation is then explored and baked.

As another area of exploration, a layer of surface geodesic is extruded and added onto the Voronoi. Both components are then trimmed to achieve the outcome as shown in Figure 08.

Week 03 Patterning List


13Week 04 Recursive Definition

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I really enjoyed this weeks challenge simply because I was fascinated at how mathematical functions can be used as a design input.

In order to create recursive definitions, from which the values in the function can be calculated in a finite number of steps, a series of expression can be written and coded into points. In this case, the points have been utilised to make a Voronoi pattern. Adjustments to the series slider will affect the outcome of the expressions and overall form.

This species took on a flower-like or seed-like arrangement after a few morphing steps. It was very interesting to see the changes to the pattern at every slight adjustment.


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The second and third set of species make use of the range component by setting a certain mathematical factor to it. The range then makes up points, which make up lines that are lofted together to form a surface. The angle set in z dimension determines the position of points from which the lines are formed, hence the slope of the lofted surface.

The second species had a smaller angle in the z dimension compared to the third species. This explains the steepness of the surface close to 90 degrees. The matrix can be imagined as a strip of paper curled at different points using different forces, and when relaxed form these varied patterns.

The third species is probably a less coordinated morphing. Each matrix is not quite similar to its predecessor. This could be due to a negative angle component added to the z dimension. This is not entirely bad; it could be another way of exploration as well.


23Week 06 Explaining Definition

Week 06Explaining Definition



The challenge for Week 06 is based on the Quad 2 Diagrid by Co-de-iT. It is a tessellated surface which smoothly transforms from a quadrangular to a diagrid pattern.

The process of designing is reversed here as the Grasshopper definition has been provided; instead the definition is to be understood and justified through elaboration. For the past few weeks, it has been more of a trial-and-error method where a defined, correct solution is not necessarily achieved.

This has been quite an interesting way of learning, at least personally. Instead of just watching video tutorials which often neglect the fundamentals or justification part of the designing method. Having to analyse every single component and question the why for its position or even presence encourages the mind to think logically; and this is crucial to effective designing.


Week 06 Explaining Definition 26

Documents

Grasshopper Challenge Journal