Rhino3DADD - An introduction to three dimensional NURBS modelling using Rhino13/11/2019

PhD candidate and researcher at CPU-Lab

By Mahmud Tantoush

2 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Lesson breakdown• Introduction

- What is Rhino used for? - Why use Rhino? - What can you achieve with Rhino?

• NURBS modelling - What are NURBS - How are they modelled? - How do NURBS compare with mesh modelling?

• Rhino 3D tutorial 01 - Interface - NURBS modelling - NURBS to mesh Rhino 3D tutorial 02 - Modelling a small pavilion

• Questions and answers

Introduction to Rhino 3DWhy use Rhino and what is it best at?

4 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

What is Rhino 3D ?Rhino 3D is a popular 3D modelling software used in the design industry. Rhino can be advantageous if your design includes curved surfaces and lines because it is a powerful NURBS modelling software. NURBS are defined below:

5 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

NURBS models represent geom-etry through mathematical for-mulae allowing for smoother sur-faces.

Mesh modelling, on the other hand, are made out of planer sur-faces comprising of faces.

Differences between Sketch up and Rhino - Mesh and NURBS

https://coloringchaos.github.io/form-fall-16/intro

MESH

NURBS

6 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Mesh modelling use vertices, edges and surfaces. The edges make up triangular and planar surfaces to make up the geometry. Sketch, for example, uses mesh modelling

Mesh Geometry

Figure 01 - Image from : https://coloringchaos.github.io/form-fall-16/intro

7 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

NURBS modelling represents geometry curves. These curves are mathematically calculated and controlled through points. Theoretically, these curves are smooth with no breaks, as opposed to mesh edges.

NURBS curves

Figure 01 - Image from : http://raamac.cee.illinois.edu/nurbs-fitting

8 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Take 5 minutes to experiment with Rhino’s Curve tools.

Check out Rhino’s Curve tools

9 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Surfaces are a fundamental components of NURBS modelling. Surfaces are made from 2-4 curves. Surfaces are also represented mathematically and have a local coordinate system. Think of surfaces as a Cartesian grid that can be warped to create hollow and solid objects

NURBS surfaces

Figure 01 - Image from : http://raamac.cee.illinois.edu/nurbs-fitting

10 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Take 5 minutes to experiment with Rhino’s surface tools.

Check out Rhino’s surface tools

11 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Surfaces make up solids. Some solids are made from a single surface such as a spheres. Others are poly surfaces made from multiple surfaces such as a cube.

Now check out Rhino’s solids tools

Why use Rhino 3DAn introduction to the concepts that are at the core of all GIS tools/applications.

13 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Rhino’s strength lies in the ability to model organic and curved shapes. Zaha Hadid architects, famous for such geometries, use Rhino as a primary design and modelling software.

Curvy and organ-ic shapes

Image from : https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/343399540321765770/?lp=true

14 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Grasshopper, a paramedic plugin design tool for Rhino is built on top of the principles of NURBS modelling. This allows us, as de-signers, to push the boundaries of the building envelope and ex-plore new building forms.

Integration with Grasshopper

Image by Author

Rhino 3D Tutorial 01Working with NURBS geometry, and how

they are different to mesh geometry.

1

2

16 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

01 - Menu bR

02 - Command Window and Command Prompt

03 - Toolbars

04 - Toolbars

05 - Layers and Property Panels

06 - Viewports.

07 - Snapping and Status Toolbars

Rhino 3D’s interface

4

1

2

5

3

6

7

17 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Pan, rotation and zooming

18 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Creating a surface from a curve1 - Begin by creating a rectangle from the side tool bar. Command: _Rectangle

2 - create a surface from the curve from the left tool bar.Command: _PlanarSrf

1

2

19 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Surface manipulationNow, we rebuild the surface. This allows us to add or reduce the number of control points. this will help us create the shapes we want.

1 - command: rebuild

2 - change the U and V to 6 and maintain the degree of 3

1

2

20 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Surface manipulationNow, we turn on the control points for the surface.

1- this is done by typing the _PointsOn command in the command bar.

We can now select and move the points to manipulate the NURBS surface

1

21 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Manipulating surfacesthe surfaces can be manipulated to whatever shape you want. If the Gumball is not viable, check the box named Gumball on the bottom of the window at the status bar.

22 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Creating a PolysurfaceNow follow these instructions:

1 - Duplicate the edges of the surface using the command: DupEdge

2 - Loft the initial rectangle with the curve you just created. You should get a similar result to the one on the right.

3- once completed use the Join command to crate a solid. Now we have a poly surface

23 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

From a NURBS solid to meshIt is easy to transform NURBS geometry to Mesh. You do need to do this sometimes to export to other software.

Simply, use the command Mesh and select the amount of polygons you want/need.

24 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Different Geometry typesThrough this exercise, we made curves, which we used to make surfaces. These surfaces were used to make polysurafces and then a mesh.

Please note, it is easy to transform a NURBS model to mesh, but this can not be done easily the other way round. This is similar to the differenced between vector and raster graphics

Rhino 3D Tutorial 02Lets build a pavilion

26 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Making a sphere

To begin this exercise, we will build a sphere. You can do this through the toolbar on the left of the screen of the command bar

27 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Modify the geometry

Similar to the last exercise, we repragmaticise the surface to add more control points. Select a number that is close to or between 7 and 13

28 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Modify the geometry

Now, we transform the sphere through the scale arrows on the gumball, rotate it side ways and turn on the control points.

29 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Making a solid to sub-tract from a volumeNow, adjust the geometry to crate an interesting shape that we will subtract from a volume later.

30 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Making an array of surfacesNow hide the geometry and crate an array of vertical rectangle surfaces.

1- hide the solid

2- draw a vertical surface

3- use the Array command to create the array.

31 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Making an array of surfaces1 - Unhide the geometry

2- run the command Split and follw instructions.

3- This will trim the surfaces at the intersection with the volume.

4- select and delete the remaining surfaces

32 RHINO 3D13/11/2019

Introduction I NURBS I Rhino 3D tutorial I Q&A

Small pavilion - Now add your own touchesFinal outcome. You can change the view port setting and render the out put geometry. Take 15 minutes to add you own design elements into this design.

Thank you for followingIf you have any more questions, you can send me an email on:

mahmud.tantoush@mmu.ac.uk or message me on twitter @mahmud_tantoush