Shanze Fatima Javed
Week 7
In this week we started to proceed with the parametric design objects and learn more about grasshopper. It was exciting to learn about grass hopper as it grasshopper is very interesting but very different from what we have been doing in the earlier half of the semester so it made me very captivated to learn. We began in the class with learning how to design objects with different parameters designed and how the shape can vary with adding number sliders.
The exercise 1 and 2 were very interesting as they helped me visualize different type of designs I can include in my parametric design projects. The main focus in exercise 1 was on the “Dispatch” tool, which allows users to split data into two groups based on a given logic or pattern. By using patterns of true (1) and false (0), users can create intricate designs on surfaces. The tutorial also introduced the “Gene Pool” tool, which can be used for optimization and to randomize patterns. The presenter emphasizes the versatility of the “Dispatch” tool, noting its applicability to various data types, including numbers, points, and geometries. The video concluded with a demonstration of how to visualize the dispatched patterns using color swatches.
In exercise 2 we began by defining circles with varying radii and heights. These circles were then divided into points, which are rotated to create intricate patterns. The presenter emphasizes the importance of data management, specifically using the “flip matrix” tool to rearrange data branches for proper curve interpolation. The tutorial also touches on the significance of curve seams in Rhino, which can affect the starting point of divisions. The circles are rotated in 3D before being divided to ensure the pattern aligns correctly. The final steps involve mirroring the curves and using the loft tool to produce a surface from the curves. The tutorial demonstrates how Grasshopper can be used to create complex geometric patterns with precision and flexibility.
In the exercise 3 we were introduced to the concept of parametric design to create a simple vase using the graph mapper tool. The graph mapper allows users to manipulate and control the shape and form of the vase by adjusting various parameters. This hands-on approach not only provides a deeper understanding of parametric design principles but also showcases the power and flexibility of using tools like the graph mapper. Particularly we could make many designs from the following code but it was interesting to visualise vases with such thin radius.
The final exercise was to create my own grasshopper definition for my vase – it was a interesting journey of trial and error and the rest I’ll let my vases speak for themselves 🙂
