LunchBox - New Rationalization Nodes and Panel Improvements

"Planarize Points" node will project a collection of points to a common plane.

A new release of LunchBox for Dynamo has been posted to the package manager.

In this release, I made modifications to the paneling nodes so they can better support a range of Dynamo lists and nested lists (no easy task with Python nodes in Dynamo!)  I have also included a few basic "Rationalization" nodes that let you create collections of planar points and rationalize splines into arc segments.

LunchBox is featured heavily in CASE's Dynamo training curriculum.  We are running workshops during the month of April, so be sure to sign up if you are interested!

Using curve parameters to describe co-tangent arcs.

Rationalized spline curves using co-tangent arc segments

Here I am using "planarize points" to define projected flat panels

University of Nebraska - Computational Design with Dynamo & Revit

UNL - Computational Design with Dynamo.  A 3-session 'mini-course'

This spring semester, I taught a 3-session mini-course at UNL focused on computational design with Dynamo and Revit.  Like the professional workshops I instruct at CASE, I focused this academic course on a real-world design study:  the design of a parametric tower.  The course started with an overview of  concepts related to data management and geometry creation.  We then proceeded to explore the connections between Dynamo and Revit including element creation and parameter control.  The course concluded with an overview of advanced data management concepts with Excel and interoperability with Rhynamo.

Towers provide a nice framework for communicating parametric concepts.  These buildings possess repetitive elements and opportunities for variation.  Towers also allow for clear workflows for how Dynamo's abstract geometry can map to architectural BIM elements and use cases.  For example, an abstract "Number Sequence" can easily be conceptualized as a driver for building Levels.  Curves can be mapped to floor boundaries.  And so on...

I also like how the tower typology allows students to explore ideas with Dynamo.  In the class, a few basic workflows were introduced and the students could then develop these concepts into their own design ideas.  This makes the class less about 'training' and more about being a design 'workshop'.  I have found this to greatly improve knowledge retention and keep classes engaged.... especially with architects.

If you are interested in these kinds of workshops for professionals, here are some links you might find to be of interest:

• CASE offers classroom-style training for a wide variety of technologies
• CASE is running a Spring 2015 Workshop Series in NYC.  Sign up!!!
• Check out my CASE blog post about how we like to approach professional training.

Here is some of the output from the class...

Student: Salem Topalovic  

Student: Alec Eastman  

Student: Leul Yoseph  

Student: Michelle McCullough  

Student: Sarah Hitchcock  

Student: Xiaoyu Wu  

CASE Learning: Dynamo Essentials

CASE's Dynamo for Revit workshop... new and improved!

Dynamo is growing up so quickly that it is sometimes hard to keep up.  In this last year, the development team has completely refactored of the underlying code to support new workflows and user interface improvements.  In recent weeks, we've seen new educational content be released over at DynamoBIM.org to ensure that users are up to speed with the basics.

At CASE, we've stayed ahead of the curve by developing our own computational design curriculum focused on practicing architects and real-world applications.  You may remember that we've been running Dynamo workshops for over a year now... but now our curriculum has been greatly expanded and enhanced for the newest versions thanks to some summer help from Lorenzo Villaggi!

Interested in a Dynamo workshop?  Reach out to CASE!

Dynamo Essentials Summary

CASE's 2-Day curriculum is designed to introduce participants to essential project workflows from the creation of abstract geometry to the manipulation of BIM systems.  If you are new to the world of computational design or are interested in expanding your skills to include Dynamo, this is a great workshop to get started.

Dynamo is a graphical programming language that allows users to create powerful algorithms for creating generative design systems, automating tasks, and enhancing the BIM experience.  Much like Grasshopper, Dynamo gives users a powerful interface for advanced geometric control.  A unique feature of Dynamo is its ability to interface directly with Revit as BIM tool.

Data and Geometry

CASE's curriculum begins with an overview of the Dynamo interface and example systems focused on data manipulation and basic geometric constructions.  These initial exercises are designed to give the participants a complete experience in designing algorithms while introducing key data concepts.

Geometric definitions for points, curves, and surfaces.

Abstract systems with controls and parameters

BIM Elements & Parameters

Our exercises quickly accelerate to applying new algorithmic concepts to the BIM process.  The curriculum proceeds to introduce the uses of Dynamo for creating and managing Revit elements and their parameters.  We address techniques for placing family instances and adjusting parameters.

Populating Revit adaptive components.

Using surface subdivisions for advanced patterns with LunchBox

BIM Project Development

Our main exercise is the creation of a parametric tower using the Swiss Re tower as a guide.  These exercises demonstrate the definition of  Revit levels, floors, structures, and facades.

Tower element definition for massing and floors.

Creating variations and options.

Tower structure and facade geometry definition.

Leveraging Data & Interoperability

Dynamo also offers numerous ways to manage and interact with data.  To conclude the workshop, our curriculum exposes participants to techniques for leveraging external data sources,  We have designed exercises that use Dynamo with Excel to enable interoperability scenarios for pushing and pulling data.

Reading data from Excel to reconstruct geometry and control parameters.

Using Dynamo to mine a Revit model and send building information to Excel.

New CASE Building Suite has landed! #CASEbs

After many late nights of hardcore research, development, ping pong, CoD, and energy drinks, we have finally released our own set of tools for the building industry!  We are set to transform how architects and engineers design, analyze, and collaborate with our new Building Suite!!!
...Visit our site to learn more about CASE Building Suite!...

Autumn Workshop Recap - Dynamo

It has been an excessively busy autumn season for workshops.  In September, we rolled out a series of workshop curricula for Rhino, Grasshopper, and DIVA.  This October has been a non-stop Dynamo frenzy.  I have had the pleasure of delivering Dynamo workshops to groups at firms including NBBJ, RDG, AECOM, and Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill.  Finally, I capped off the month with a day long Dynamo workshop at Facades+ in Chicago!

Whew!

So what were those Dynamo workshops all about?  I have had several blog posts in recent months about Dynamo and its potential to be a valuable and much needed addition to the Revit workflow.  Dynamo is still in the fledgling stages of maturity and is certainly far form reaching 'Grasshopper-status' in terms of being a pervasive tool.  But surely that wouldn't stop readers of this blog from trying it out...Right?  It sure hasn't stopped some of the world's top architecture and design firms from trying their hand at it...

...Interested in Dynamo?  Feel free to reach out to us...

Dynamo Workshops

The Dynamo workshops start with the basics and then build towards an architectural application.  The fact that Dynamo sits on top of the Revit application already adds several layers of complexity to the overall workflow that users need to be aware of.  For one, Dynamo can be used in conjunction with Revit projects... or Revit families.  We can also mix and match standard Revit modeling techniques with Dynamo in ways that you cannot do with a look like Grasshopper which is more linear in its relationship to its core platform.

Geometry

The workshops then proceed into the geometric development of Revit elements inside of the massing environment.  During this phase, I walk participants through the opportunities for using Dynamo to develop geometric data and create conceptual forms.

Stadium exterior spline geometry definition.

Conceptual tower form definition.

Components

Following the creation of geometry, the workshops then look at how Dynamo can be used to create and control Family elements such as adaptive components.  As part of this phase, the participants are also guided through basic Adaptive Component creation techniques.  We also made use of my custom XYZ Cells nodes available through the package manager.

Adaptive component panels.

Adaptive component pipes.

More panel craziness...

Parameters

After using Dynamo to create and place Revit elements, we then explored the use of Dynamo to manipulate Family instance parameters.  Given a paneling system, we created a simple point attractor relationship which was used to change an instance parameter for opening size.

Adaptive component panels with a variable instance parameter.

More adaptive and instance parametric goodness.

Workflows

Finally, the workshops addressed several opportunities for using Dynamo in the context of larger project workflows.  Dynamo has a set of Excel components which can read and write information using Excel worksheets.  The workshops used the excel nodes to parse pre-existing information and use the data to re-create complex structures originally derived in other programs, such as Grasshopper.

Space truss reconstructed using Excel data.

CASE Learning: Rhino + Grasshopper + DIVA Workshops

We have been delivering exciting training and workshop opportunities since CASE first opened its doors.  We are pleased to announce that Sept. 16-20 will mark the first of many new CASE Design Technology Workshops aimed to provide individuals in the AEC industry with the knowledge and tools for a better BIM workflow. This inaugural collection of professional Rhino-based courses is focused on popular design technologies used for conceptual exploration, idea development, and early analysis.

This week-long event will kick off series of courses that can be taken all together (for the hardcore learner) or individually (based on your interest). The workshops will take place at the CASE HQ in NYC where computers and software will be provided. Space is limited, so don’t waste any time to inquire about availability!

Additionally, if you are interested in an exclusive professional workshop for your practice, don't hesitate to reach out and we can work with you to put something on your calendar!

If you’re interested in signing up for one or all of the courses, contact learning@case-inc.com and provide the following info:

• Contact info (Name, Phone, E-Mail) 
• Discipline (designer, architect, engineer, etc...) 
• Organization (company or university) 
• Course(s) of interest (see list below)

September Courses

RHINO 101: Rhino is a popular NURBS-based 3D modeling tool. This is a 2-day introduction to 3D modeling Rhino 5.0. The course will cover basic modeling capabilities used for conceptual design and schematic development. CASE will cover how to use Rhino to develop architectural geometry in the context of an iconic architectural precedent.  Learn more here....
Duration: 2 days; Sept. 16-17
Cost: $1200 per person

GRASSHOPPER 101: Grasshopper is a computational design plug-in for Rhino. This is a 2-day introduction to computational design with Grasshopper 3D. The course will familiarize designers in how to use Grasshopper as a design development tool. Participants will define geometry, develop architectural systems, and implement data mining techniques. Learn more here....
Duration: 2 days; Sept. 18-19
Cost: $1200 per person

DIVA 101: DIVA is an environmental analysis tool for Rhino. This 1-day introduction will guide designers through the different solar, daylight, and energy analysis capabilities of DIVA. Participants will set up analysis models, create visualizations, and extract environmental metrics on design models.  Learn more here....
Duration: 1 day; Sept. 20
Cost: $800 per person

Tell your friends :)

CASE Learning: DIVA 101

Environmental analysis has quickly become a mainstream capability for design practices.  As issues of environmental performance grow in importance (and popularity), designers have been in need of tools that allow them to develop concepts with the aid of analysis data.

Analysis tools have typically existed as separate applications requiring the designer to develop cumbersome workflows for converting and rebuilding geometry.  DIVA for Rhino does away with many of these pain points and provides an interface for connecting Rhino models directly into powerful analysis engines.  This workshop focuses on the many uses of DIVA within a Rhino-based design workflow.

Contact CASE about the DIVA 101 Workshop!

DIVA for Rhino

DIVA is a popular environmental analysis plug-in for Rhino.  The tool provide direct connections from Rhino to Radiance, DaySim, and EnergyPlus simulation engines.  As users design, they are able to run a wide variety of visualizations and metrics on their design such as Solar, Daylight, and Thermal.  All of this occurs through the Rhino interface.  Additional DIVA tools are also available through Grasshopper for more advanced applications.

This workshop provides an overview of all the different simulations a designer can perform with DIVA.  Designers will modify analysis models, test different metric settings, create visualizations, and learn how to interpret results.  Thematically, the workshop will leverage design models of the Swiss Re tower that are used in the Rhino 101 and Grasshopper 101 workshops.

The workshop begins with model set-up and basic solar study visualizations of the building mass and site context.  Following the initial model analysis, designers will then proceed to perform visualizations of interior spaces to study metrics such as glare.

Shadow study visualization using a time lapse image capture.

Interior glare study using Radiance visualization.

The workshop then proceeds to perform node-based analysis of the model and import the results within Rhino.  The workshop explores the uses of solar and climate-based metrics.

Node-based solar analysis on selected zone of the exterior facade.

Node-based interior daylight factor analysis on a single floor plate.

Finally, the workshop will explore the uses of DIVA's Thermal analysis with EnergyPlus for single-zone simulation.  A brief overview of using Grasshopper for more advanced analysis will also be introduced.

Thermal analysis results for a single-zone model. (graphed in Excel)

CASE Learning: Grasshopper 101

Computational Design is the new black in the architectural design world. From powerful automation scripts to iterative design algorithms, computation has given designers the ability to create novel processes to support innovative architecture.

The program that has dominated the computational design conversation in recent years is none other than... Grasshopper!

Contact CASE about the Grasshopper 101 Workshop!

Grasshopper

While Rhino enables designers to freely explore design concepts through a conventional 3D modeling interface, Grasshopper allows the user to create customized tools using a graphical algorithm editor.  Uses of Grasshopper range from production automation, geometric rationalization, or iterative design exploration.  In the past, these processes typically required the user to have a knowledge of programming or scripting.  In Grasshopper, these processes are achieved by wiring together nodes into a visual graph representing the framework of an algorithm.

Like with CASE's Rhino 101 training, our approach to teaching Grasshopper focuses on useful implementations to support design exploration and development  in architectural practice.  As with our Rhino training, we have chosen to focus Grasshopper training around developing a parametric version of the Swiss Re Tower by Foster & Partners.  The tower is well suited for exercises involving rapid iteration and algorithmic frameworks.  For designers who also take our Rhino 101, the Grasshopper course allows us to contrast different methods of working to achieve similar geometric results.

The Grasshopper workshop begins with an exploration of the graphical user interface, component library, and basic examples of data management and workflow.  We then immediately apply these concepts to how to derive the geometric form of the tower.

Grasshopper-based geometric definition.

Exploring formal iterations with the Grasshopper geometry

After defining the tower form, we then proceed to develop some of the architectural elements and extract some data.  For example, we will create a parametric system for slicing floors from the tower mass and report area calculations.

Tower Floors Definition.

Tower floor variations.

After the massing and the floors have been defined, we then explore the exterior facade.  Designers will set up definitions for defining the structural diagrid system and the exterior curtain wall.  Different generative concepts will be explored for developing patterns and modules using popular plug-ins.

Structure diagrid with gradient color.

Attractor-based paneling system with LunchBox.

Finally, workshop participants explore workflows for data extraction.  For example, designers will output data to Excel including floor and facade information.

Excel data output from the diagrid definition

Next up...  DIVA for Rhino!

CASE Learning: Rhinoceros 101

At CASE, a central part of what we do is educating our clients in new design technologies and processes.  This summer we have created brand new curricula for some of our favorite software with a focus on architectural idea generation and design development.  Our new learning content is anchored in rigorous exercises while also providing opportunities for the participant to explore variations on design concepts.

We are rolling out 3 new CASE-ified workshops geared towards professional designers who are looking for some new weapons to add to their arsenal. In the next three posts, I will be showcasing what these new workshops are all about... as they say in Jurassic Park, "hold on to your butts."

If you are interested in a workshop, don't hesitate to reach out!

Rhinoceros 3D

Rhino has become the Swiss army knife of design tools.  At an early stage of the design process, Rhino can be used as an iterative tool for exploring concepts.  In later stages, Rhino can serve as a powerful tool for developing geometry and rationalizing complex systems.  The program supports a wide variety of file formats making it an ideal "go between" program with a high level of compatibility for more advanced fabrication and building information software.

Our approach to teaching Rhino focuses on how it can be used as an architectural design tool in support of conceptual and schematic development.   We have chosen to anchor the exercises in the context of the Swiss Re Tower in London.  As an iconic piece of contemporary architecture by Foster & Partners, the tower is well suited for Rhino-based exercises for beginning users.  The tower concept also allows participants to study variations of the concept while they learn the program.

In our workshop we first introduce new users how to create and manipulate surface geometry.  Some common surface creation techniques such as Loft, Revolve, and Sweep make an appearance in these early exercises.  Additionally we cover how to manipulate these surfaces using control points and implicit history.

Utilizing surface controls to develop the geometry.

Following these initial explorations in form, we then proceed to 'dissect' the building by developing systems such as floor plates and the core.  We show new users how to utilize trims and booleans while introducing popular commands such as "contour" to quickly develop derivative objects.

Utilizing booleans and trims to develop floor profiles and create the iconic atrium spaces.

During the workshops, we also cover a few popular Rhino plug-ins such as Paneling Tools.  We use these plug-ins and add-ons to study variations of the exterior facade and structure systems.

As the workshop progresses, participants are introduced to techniques for modeling complex systems and patterns.

Popular plug-ins, such as Paneling Tools, are introduced for quickly developing the architecture.

We recognize that having efficient techniques for communicating the design to clients is an essential skill when working in a 3D modeler.  While the model is being developed, the workshop also covers presentation-related topics such as basic Rhino visualization, viewport customization, and creating layouts.  

Customizing the Rhino viewport is an effective means for producing quick diagrammatic images.

Next up.... Grasshopper 101!