Grasshopper Essential Training (2017)

Algorithmic modeling is where design and programming intersect. Grasshopper—a plugin for Rhino 3D—is a graphical algorithm editor that allows you to create complex 3D models with less grunt work. The resulting designs are both sophisticated and flexible. In this course, artist and programmer Chris Reilly introduces advanced math techniques and fully-developed hands-on projects that help you understand how to make the most out of the parametric design tools in Grasshopper. See how to build a flexible product design for mass production with a parametric design algorithm. Plus, learn how to use plugins like Ladybug to model big data sets, generate recursive patterns with scripting, and build geometric patterns that auto-tessellate.

By the end of the course, you'll see how even basic literacy in Grasshopper can be applied to developing projects for art, manufacturing, architecture, and design.

Learning objectives
Working with algorithms
Modeling a base profile
Extruding elements
Finishing an algorithm
Planning for mass production
Customizing Grasshopper
Scripting with Python and Visual Basic .NET
Modeling data with Ladybug
Creating a tiling grid
Tiling 3D objects
Using reflection symmetry and mirroring to repeat tile
Tessellating tile in any direction