The Grasshopper Primer

The second edition of The Grasshopper Primer - 160 pages dedicated to helping you get a fundamental understanding of this powerful new tool. 

The Grasshopper Primer_English Edition.pdf

The Grasshopper Primer_Japanese Edition.pdf

The Grasshopper Primer_Chinese Edition.pdf

The Grasshopper Primer_Spanish Edition.pdf

The Grasshopper Primer_Korean Edition.pdf

Primer Source Files.zip

 

 

 

Waffle Structural System

This is a Grasshopper definition that will create a notched "waffle" structural system for any given single surface (not a Brep).  You can specify the number of struts in the X & Y axis as well as the strut depth and the notch thickness (or the strut material thickness). The waffle system has a few components that define the strut labels and also has a slider to control the label size to keep the model organized. Finally, the definition orients the strut curves on the X-Y axis so that the curves can be easily output directly to a CNC mill or laser cutter.

Waffle Structural System.gh  (size: 25k - file updated by GH user msieurju on 11.05.11 to work with Grasshopper v0.8.0052 or higher.  I'd like to express my thanks for the udpate.)

 

 

 

Suspended Ceiling Tutorial

 This step-by-step Grasshopper tutorial covers the methods I used to create the suspended ceiling for the Slow Food Nation event in San Francisco.  The definition creates a set of points that center themselves inside each panel and has an expression function that helps keep the point spacing consistent between panels.

Suspended Ceiling Tutorial.pdf (size: 1.4mb  - Adobe Acrobat needed)
Suspended Ceiling_rhino scene.3dm (size: 322k - Rhino scene file needed to begin tutorial)
Suspended Ceiling_full definition.ghx (size: 484k - Completed GH definition)

 

 

 

Animaris Rhinoceros

This 3D Max model uses Inverse Kinematics and Bone Systems to recreate Theo Jansen's Animaris Rhinoceros sculpture. Essentially, each side of the model is rigged with Inverse Kinematic solvers and then parented to an invisible "Crank" in the middle. By rotating the center crank (named Crank1) around the Y-axis, the system begins to "walk" forwards or backwards depending on the rotation of the crank. Once the initial rig is created, it can be instanced to create the full system as shown in Mr. Jansens actual sculpture.

Animaris Rhinoceros.zip (size: 39k - 3D Studio Max 9.0 or higher)
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Tensegrity Wall

This 3D Max file expands on the Tensegrity Module I create which used wired parameters to control the rotation of each compression strut.  The wall structure connects all of the modules into a 4x4 system that allows a dynamic wall which changes its horizontal/vertical position based on the extension of each actuator inside the individual modules. This system could be configured to work with a sensor so that the structure could change shape according to various environmental stimuli.

Tensegrity Wall.zip (size: 274k - 3D Studio Max 9.0 or higher)
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Tensegrity Module

This is a 3D Max model that I created after reading Tristan d'Estree Sterk's essay on actuated tensegrity systems. This single module works just like his actuated tensegrity system, so that as the actuator in the middle contracts, the tension members become more rigid, thus making the entire system stronger. The actuated system is one way to create a responsive tensegrity system that can adapt to changing environmental conditions to make a "learning" structure.

Tensegrity Module.zip (size: 33k - 3D Studio Max 9.0 or higher)