Generative Adaptive Component

Adapative components has been one of the common threads amongst those pursuing model transfer from Grasshopper to Revit (refer here).  So not wanting to miss out, I decided to start to start implementing this (an extension of the blog post from Nathan Millers great blog The Proving Ground).

I've enabled generation of the adaptive component itself from Grasshopper (where as to date the others have provided means of locating existing adaptive components).  This model demonstrates that IFC can exchange topology (or connectivity) of elements including vertex and edges of faces, as well as parametric locations (such as position on curve).  Note then that manually editing (or inserting) of the adaptive component, these relationships are retained.

Here's the Grasshopper model, and here's the IFC file.

One of the common criticisms of IFC is that it's a "lowest common denominator" model format, so you can't exchange parametrics or model specific attributes and have to revert to APIs.  This only has to be demonstrated in one circumstance to hold true, but doesn't mean it to be true in all circumstances.  I hope that some of the recent work I've shown demonstrates that IFC is capable of pretty advanced model transfer.  I read an interesting tweet quote from a recent BIM conference that said "If you can't get IFC to work maybe your vendor doesn't want it too", and it is important for software vendors to request and demand improvements to the IFC format for areas they have identified as a short coming.  

One of the IFC short comings I worked around in this example is how to nominate the Adapative Point locations for instance insertion.  I decided at the moment to apply the type (family) to the instance, and use a polyline shape representation to convey the point locations.  Of course a possible desired improvement for IFC might be a more specific description of this type of entity, and I'm sure there are many more that can help make this format be used more successfully.

Grasshopper to Vasari (via Revit for the time being)

I've started developing more aspects of conceptual mass family development primarily extruded form.  Others will follow ASAP like blends (http://thebuildingcoder.typepad.com/blog/2009/07/revit-form-creation-api.html is a good reference for forms that can be created from the API and some of the restrictions on the defining geometry).  I'd like to highlight and publicly thank Jeremy for the excellent resource his blog provides, it's been instrumental in me getting my addon up and running.

I also implemented an aggregation of buildings associated to a site as a conceptual family.  This then opens up an easier model transfer to Vasari.  Note I have started trying to implement a revit addon to generate conceptual IFC files directly, but some technical details (ie a crash I am yet to resolve) in initiating the import is preventing thus far.

So, here's the process for the time being.  Bake the IFC file from this Grasshopper definition (or download ifc file here).  Then import the IFC into Revit using the GeomGym addon.  This will create a revit conceptual family in the same folder as the model (or download here).  You can then import this into Vasari and run analysis such as the virtual wind tunnel.

Look forward to hearing suggestions and requests for improvements.

EDIT 21st September 2012  Note now there is a Vasari addon for Beta1 that directly imports IFC files.  Note the above example generates an individual mass family element for each building (there is not means to generate an inplace family object from Revit API).  Here's a Grasshopper file where there is a single site family and here's the resulting IFC file (but this isn't as fast to generate as I might expect so patience will help).

IFC Import Revit - Walls

Todays build (http://www.geometrygym.com/downloads) of the Rhino and Revit plugins includes improvements related to wall model exchange.  This includes creation of families where they are not already loaded.

I initially started with testing the wall path curve as a NURBS (spline) curve, but Revit (2012) doesn't seem to permit spline paths so I used my BullAnt component to approximate it with a polycurve of arcs.

For the moment, the wall path curve has to be on the centroid (I'll look to enable face and offset locations) and I'll have to investigate whether I can enable my nurbs to polycurve routine using openNurbs outside of Rhino.

Look forward to hearing feedback and comments.  Openings are one of the items next on my agenda.  Improvements that come to mind include locking top/bottom to levels and I'm sure users can propose many more.
Grasshopper Model,  IFC File

GH to Revit, Families & Cardinal Points

I've been implementing many aspects of IFC model data that facilitate the "family" based approach consistent with Revit.

You'll notice many new components for Slabs, Walls, Columns, Beams and framing members to generate a "Type" (equivalent to a family in Revit) and then "standard case" components to generate objects based on that family.

This can include cardinal (or insertion) point locations (such as Top-Mid or bottom right) as this information can be conveyed in IFC4 (make sure you right click on the ssiBake button to enable this).  Here's the example model in the image above.  Plugins should be updated from http://www.geometrygym.com/downloads

If you use IFC2x3 the location of the beams should still be accurate, but a default "mid" insertion point will be used.

Next on the agenda (other than improving and expanding on the above) are aspects such as curtain walls, grids and grid relative locations.  If you've particular requests or suggestions, I look forward to hearing them.

NURBS GH to Revit

Another example model for you to test (Inspired by Tim Meador's post on the Grasshopper Forum).  I've been enabling nurbs profile/perimeter exchange using the IFC2x4 format (status Candidate Release, anticipated to be approved late this year).

Here's the example Grasshopper model, and the IFC file.  You need to right click on the SSIBake component and check the IFC2x4 option. This should be sticky then for the model (I need to check why it sometimes reverts when reopening the model).

Note I'm yet to find other viewers/software that can interact with this version of IFC, so for the time being it's only useful for my Rhino/Revit developments.  I'm still implementing other aspects of IFC2x4 (which might still have subtle changes), so be careful as exported file might not always open in the future.  I'm presently implementing advanced breps, that should permit much smaller IFC file sizes (and avoid the implications of meshing objects).  Look forward to hearing comments and suggestions.

GeomGym Revit Addon importing IFC

Here's some sample models and an explanation/demonstration of the work I'm advancing to import IFC models into Revit.

You can test for yourself.  Here's the grasshopper files used in the demonstration and some example IFC output..  You need to download the latest plugins from http://www.geometrygym.com/downloads

Note I've only been working on the Revit addon over a period of 3 months compared to 22 months for the Rhino plugin (although I can reuse 80 to 90% of the same code) so I still need to enable many aspects of IFC file importing.  But I will prioritize any example models and requests that come from users, so please don't hesitate to ask.  I look forward to hearing from you.

GeomGym IFC API

I've recently been considering and developing means of interacting directly to my IFC c# assembly without necessarily using my Grasshopper addon components (which in effect is a graphical wrapper to my assembly) or Rhino plugin commands.  This can enable academic and 3rd party interaction with my developments to generate IFCmodel files in a more direct manner.

Still early days, but already quite a powerful capability.  The example can be tried yourself if you've installed and licensed my IFC plugin.  You might have to alter the path to the referenced assembly in my plugin folder.    Grasshopper Model Download 

Scripting in Grasshopper is difficult for debugging and developing when there's more than a few lines of code, so you can reference the .dll from visual studio projects for Rhino/Grasshopper addons.  There's also means to execute my code outside of the Rhino/Grasshopper environment based on OpenNurbs (as my Revit Addon is doing).  Get in touch if you want to register interest, learn more or request particular features to be enabled.

Rhino/Grasshopper MEP Piping

The question arose on the Rhino forum today about exporting pipe objects into Rhino.  Refer here

I'm interested to see how Revit MEP handles IFC files (other than faceted brep/mesh) shape representations, as it can make the file much more compact and efficient.  Fitting such as elbows/bends can cause large problems if these "coordination" shape representations are used.

Here's my example model that you can download as Grasshopper model or IFC file to test yourself.  I look forward to hearing the results.

In Progress: Louisiana State Museum and Sports Hall of Fame

It's great to see details being published on projects that have been developed with assistance of Geometry Gym plugins for Grasshopper/Rhino.

ArchDaily has posted this article on the Louisiana State Museum and Sports Hall of Fame.

Method Design (in the design team with role as Geometry and Detailing Consultant) used the Geometry Gym plugin to exchange the Grasshopper geometric steel framing model into Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis  where analysis and design checks could be conducted accurately by David Kufferman P.E.  The model could then be exchanged beyond for coordination and fabrication.  You can also find more details and other links by David Stasiuk on the Grasshopper website.  

Revit IFC Plugin by Geometry Gym

I've recently been advancing development on a tool/workflow that's really needed to use Grasshopper to somewhere near it's full potential for Architecture/Engineering.  And that's to export the model into other BIM software with strengths and functionality that are not always evident or easily accessible in Rhino.

I started developing my IFC (neutral BIM format Industry Foundation Class) plugin (within Rhino/Grasshopper software) with the intent of enabling generation of BIM attributes and relationships to the already powerful geometric tool that is Rhino/Grasshopper, and then utilizing this in other BIM software without having to model everything again from scratch, and then maintaining/coordinating multiple models.

I touched a little about the current use of IFC as a model exchange in my technical paper last year.  Presently to be IFC certified (and there is a current drive to improve on this) you effectively need to import/export IFC models for coordination.  This can be done (with accuracy but certainly not efficiency) utilizing only two shape representations, linear extrusions and meshed/faceted breps.

This has led to a chicken/egg scenario, where BIM software vendors haven't imported advanced (and more efficient) shape representations (IFC is based on STEP model specification) because other vendors haven't exported them, and vice versa.

So whilst there is a long list of Software that interacts with IFC, it's really difficult (and I've discussed this with a number of big and small design firms in the past year or two) to use this "bridge" as it's intended.

Autodesk Revit is a very popular tool for Architects/Engineers to document and detail their projects.  However testing of means to import models using neutral BIM formats (primarily IFC and SDNF) hasn't resulted in much to boast about and utilize.  SDNF can generate native beam elements but can take hours (without succeeding) to import a pratical size roof model.  The Autodesk IFC plugin import generates reference objects, useful for coordination, drawing and even schedules, but as soon as you wish to edit or manipulate the objects, you nearly need to model it again (as families aren't utilized and aspects such as analytical representations not created).

So, with a few Geometry Gym users looking for a work flow to get Grasshopper models into Revit, I've been looking for improved ways to do this using the Revit SDK.  I started looking at direct model interaction, but for technical and practical reasons have decided a neutral bridge is the best way to do this.  Most of my c# IFC code is reusable (with some interaction changes) as a Revit plugin (this is my first plugin outside of the Rhino/Grasshopper environment), and I've today posted an example import of a steel frame roof (British Museum Great Court Roof) using my own IFC engine.

There's lots of improvements and work to do, but I'm confident with time I can create a powerful IFC engine within Revit (as I've already achieved within Rhino/Grasshopper).  The priorities for improvements are being driven by real project use of this tool (let me know if you have your own use for it) and will include curved members, orientations and synchronization options.  If you look closely at the image you'll see Revit has still tried to be clever with the bevel/miter at element connections, hopefully I can find a way to disable this (as an option) as I believe its significantly part of a slow import process.  Other objects including slabs, walls, MEP, etc etc will also be quickly added to the toolset.

It will be interesting to encounter the other hurdles and pitfalls in front of this development, but stay tuned to the blog for public release of this tool and examples of it's use.  Feel free to get in touch to learn more (and influence it's development) in the interim.

Nurbs To Structural Analysis Profile

At the request of the user, I've advanced the routines to convert arbitrary profiles (including nurbs perimeters) into the structural analysis section profiles capable of approximating this shape.

I've started with GSA, and will look into the other software equivalents shortly.  In GSA the perimeter is defined as a polyline (I have enabled an input to define acceptable deviation from original curve), and properties such as area and inertia are computed from the polyline bounds.

The torsion property is not calculated, so I also enabled a section property modifier component to allow user specification of this value (as well as the others).  There is a means to compute the torsional stiffness using soap film (which was the original reason I started coding mesh inflation), and I'll try to test this approach soon.  If you have any papers or technical explanations/demonstrations of this technique, it can only help accelerate this if you can share it.  Grasshopper definition can be accessed from here.

Tributary Areas and Variable Loading

I've finally got some final improvements made to some useful functionality that can save hours of spreadsheet processing (or the like thereof).
I've enabled functionality within Grasshopper to compute tributary areas for nodes contained within a structural grid, as well as generating node loads from varying loading phenomena such as snow drifting or wind pressure.

This algorithm was used (in a more time consuming and specific way) for the 2012 velodrome roof in applying wind pressures from wind tunnel testing advice.  At the time we were still optimizing cable spacing but still wishing to test multiple loading scenarios.  This routine can work out tributary areas for arbitrary grids (based on mid distance from adjacent nodes), grid normals (although load can be applied in a uniform direction if desired) and utilize a varying loading intensity at different locations.  This can be defined (or checked) intuitively from a surface (or polysurface) relative to a reference plane (the local z from datum defines the magnitude of loading pressure).

If you download the models below, you'll see it uses a reference plane from the structure (required for non-planar grids), and the relative position from the loading plane.  I haven't yet developed grasshopper visualization of the generated node loads (it's on my todo list along with boundary conditions, releases etc) so you'll have to visualize in the analysis software.  I also plan to implement face loading for finite elements in a similar manner, and any other suggestions that might arise from users, so don't hesitate to send them through.

Please check the results carefully, I hope you find it useful.  I'm also very happy to assist in applying or testing this with your own applications to projects.
GSA model,  SAP model (others to be added shortly).

Grasshopper Mesh to Finite Elements

The ability to convert Mesh from Grasshopper (it could have been generated or imported into Rhino) into finite elements with ability to triangulate quad faces failing shape checks has been in the Geometry Gym plugin for some time.  Recent requests from users recently enabled for the GSA plugin have included orthotropic material generation, nomination of finite element shape acceptance criteria (warning, severe warning, all) and ability to nominate varying orientation and property assignments throughout extent of mesh.  Update from http://www.geometrygym.com/downloads and study this file for GSA, and this file for SAP.

SAP2000 Point Local Axis

For the Geometry Gym plugin users, remember that I encourage and look forward to receiving suggestions and ideas for improvements and new features to the tools.

Here's a fairly simple one that where identification of node local axis can be straight forward in Grasshopper, but not so easy to do within the Structural Analysis software.  This user wants to be able to apply a local coordinate system to the points (nodes) generated to SAP2000.

You can try for yourself here Download

IFC MEP and Reinforcement

A quick post to highlight recent improvements to importing MEP and reinfocement data from IFC files, as well as Grasshopper Generation of these items.  Still lots of improvements I'd like to make on this front, so please get in touch if you have particular requests.

Rhino/Grasshopper to Tekla

In the past two months I have been progressing a Grasshopper plugin that enables direct exchange of data between Rhino/Grasshopper and Tekla.  Tekla is a quite compehensive BIM application, although I have initially concentrated on the structures aspect for Fabrication.

This has been driven by a couple of projects where the steel work has been modelled in Rhino to fabrication detail and precision, either by python scripting or manual modelling.  Rhino does not presently have direct extraction to NC format for fabrication, so a means to automatically extract this information from Tekla without duplicating modelling efforts has many benefits.

As part of this, I have been advancing some "reverse engineering" components to convert rhino polysurfaces (that do not contain "explicit history" information such as profile extrusion, end conditions such as miters or cut parts, or drilled hole locations.  This can be implied from the features that the polysurface (brep) has.

I still find Grasshopper a very convenient means to assign attributes such as steel grade, finish, part/assembly numbering etc, so the Tekla plugin is only a GH addon at this moment.  I am happy to assist with explaining/applying this tool to your project if it is of interest.

To download the installer, please visit http://www.geometrygym.com/downloads

As part of a presentation I will make later this week to the Light Weight Structures conference in Sydney, I prepared a grasshopper definition to emulate the primary structure of the velodrome (which owes a lot of it's success to the generative approach taken by all designers).

Here's another example model that you can try for yourself. Download

Mesh False Color

A new component added to BullAnt for generating mesh with false color from a list of values.

Grasshopper Example

IABSE-IASS Symposium 2011

Taller, Stronger, Lighter

The 2011 IABSE-IASS Symposium is approaching very quickly now, and having received the program, I thought I would highlight a couple of recognized peers (real world and online) that might be of interest to followers of this blog.

Chris Wise, Expedition Director is presenting on the London 2012 Velodrome on Tuesday 20th at 3pm.  This project (shortlisted for the Stirling Prize) was extensively modeled in Rhino using Geometry Gym plugins to exchange with Oasys GSA.

Michael Drobnik is presenting From Image to Parameter. Double Curved Canopy Muenchner Freiheit at 4pm.

Following soon after at 5pm is Gennaro Sennatore presenting Pumping vs. Iron Large Scale Adapative spatial Structures for whole-life energy savings.

Wednesday the 21st has John Harding presenting Structural Form Finding using Zero-Length Springs with Dynamic Mass at 10am

My paper Generative Models Utilized for Superior Design Development is scheduled for 12:15pm

Thursday the 22nd, Milos Dimcic is presenting Structural Optimization of Free-Form Grid Shells at 9:30am.

I was fortunate to work for Koroush Kayvani for 6 months on Wembley, and he is presenting Performance-based Design of Tall and Longspan Structures at 11:45am.

Expedition colleague and friend Fred Labbe is at 4:45pm with Evolutionary Design for "Environmental
Expressionism"


On Friday the 23rd Odysseas Georgiou will present Interactive Structural Analysis & Form finding at 10am.

Other presenters recognized from the Grasshopper forum that are presenting include Roel van de Straat, Clemens Preisinger and I'm sure I've overlooked others, please let me know if this is the case.

It should be a great opportunity to meet in person some online friends, and swap notes and learn from each other the application and use of these powerful digital tools.

If you, a friend or a colleague are attending, please don't be shy in coming forward to discuss.  I look forward to the event and can't wait.

20th - 23rd September
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
London

Generative Models improving Design Development

I'm not sure how obvious the collaboration is between Geometry Gym and [UTO] to develop the Rhino/Grasshopper addons, but it's nice to see a co-authored article published in the Taiwan Architects magazine, Tawain Architects 2001/07  

Credit for the example images to Benjamin Ennemoser and Phillipe Grotenroth (University Innsbruck, Austria exparch hochbau 2011)

Here's the article in English

As performative design concepts become more accessible to designers, we will see more analysis tools being developed for the design process. As we establish methods for understanding surface-based-analysis, we will be moving into volumetric-base-analysis.

Generative tools such as Grasshopper3d (Robert McNeel Associates) and Maya (Autodesk) are being utilized to explore architectural projects and inform design decisions with increasing popularity. However, rapidly produced multitudes of options will not be utilized to full potential if entire design team assessments take days or weeks to fulfil. To maximise the potential of these tools, teams must efficiently assess multiple objectives and criteria, to seek optimal solutions. Utilizing the generative information model as input to analysis and simulation tools (including structure, services, environmental, construction programming and cost assessments) can facilitate superior design decisions.

This article outlines and demonstrates software developments enhancing Grasshopper3d as a generative design tool for the architecture and construction industry. Additional functionality enables designers to assign attributes of design elements that can be utilized in exporting the information model for wider design consideration. Present industry practises where multiple models are independently created require consuming efforts in updating and coordinating. Duplicated, abortive and redundant design efforts are rife, and given the time consuming nature of these tasks, the potential to improve and assist these procedures is enormous. There is scope for substantial improvements for this process in the earliest phases of design, when identifying the strongest concepts can have the greatest impact on the final product and the least constraint is experienced to change.

Structural Analysis

Generative modeling for developing structural analysis models has been prevalent for years, primarily in the form of authoring spreadsheets. Geometrical description using imports such as DXF or DWG cad models have also been used extensively, although this process typically requires manual application of analysis attributes not supported such as constraints, materials and loads.

Evaluation of performance relating to alternate design scenarios is accelerated by producing in bulk the structural analysis attributes as related to the generative model.

This is shown for the 3-dimensional proximity truss structure as a Structural Analysis with Geometry Gym plugin for Grasshopper and Oasys GSA

Building Energy Analysis

Ecotect is a highly visual software for architects to work with environmental performance issues. It is designed for early stages of conceptual design, and encourages play to understand environmental factors and interactions. Ecotect works on the principle of “progressive data input”, that means that it is prepared to give visual feedback even with very little information. Not all aspects of a scenario have to be spelled out in detail.

In fact the simulation can be done earlier, and as the model is refined, results become more accurate.

GECO is a Grasshopper plug-in developed by [UTO] that offers a direct link between Rhino/Grasshopper models and Ecotect. The Plug-in allows you to export complex geometries very quickly , evaluate the design in Ecotect and access the performances data, to import the results as feedback to Grasshopper. This could be done as single process or loop to improve performance and the design of a building in the context of its environment.

The single results of the process could be saved inside Rhino in the vertices of the analysis mesh to store data for later use inside different design approaches.

BIM Enhancements for Rhino/Grasshopper

RhinoForYou presented Geometry Gym BIM enhancements for Rhino3d / Grasshopper3d at the BIM Day event in Paris earlier this week.

It was a good opportunity to enhance and improve the IFC plugin testing IFC files generated with other software.  Improvements have been made for file processing times (with more to come, but better for all IFC authoring software to produce higher quality files).

This clip shows importing of the Tekla House model authored in Archicad, and an associated MEP file.  It demonstrates the new IFC tree data viewer in Rhino.

The second clip is a model prepared by VisualARQ, the IFC data was optimized using Geometry Gym tools to reduce the file size by a factor of 10 (permitting more acceptable access time for Rhino/Grasshopper).  The file is then imported and edited in Grasshopper, first deleting some members and then generating a new parametric set.

This plugin is undergoing continual improvement, if you have requests or requirements that you would like included, please get in touch to discuss them with me.

Grasshopper Catalogue Profiles

I've just added a new feature to BullAnt addon for Grasshopper that allows easier nomination of catalogue profiles (before you had to use a string).  If I haven't already included a catalogue profile or range that you would like to use, please get in touch and I'll add it ASAP.  http://www.geometrygym.com/downloads

Grasshopper GSA Form Finding Examples

I sat in on the recent Oasys GSA webinar on form finding conducted by Pete Debney, for those that missed it, don't despair.  Here's a recording of it:

I think it's a great resource and introduction/explanation of some of the form finding options provided by the Oasys GSRelax solver.

I also think each of the 3 example models are well suited to a parametric exploration using Grasshopper (using the Geoemetry Gym plugin to exchange the model data with GSA), and I'm posting these definitions here so you can try for yourself.

The gsa relax solver is not included in the standard evaluation license, but you can email them and ask for access to it.  I'm still enhancing the plugin in a few areas, you might see toolbars wander if you run GSA as a background service (ie if you don't have GSA running when you open the grasshopper definition, the plugin will start it in the background for you).  If you do have GSA open and Grasshopper appears to "freeze", activate GSA and close any confirmation dialogs that might appear.

Generating the model with geometric shapes using  BullAnt will be enhanced shortly, as well as any user requests so send them through.  Make sure you have latest GSA and BullAnt plugins from here: http://www.geometrygym.com/downloads and the definitions are derived on the basis of a rhino document being open with metre units.

Force Density form finding of a cablenet bridge.  Grasshopper Definition

Compression Shell form finding using Analysis properties.  Grasshopper Definition

Soap Film form finding of tensile membrane with back stay  Grasshopper Definition

Rhino v5 Extrusions, GeomGym Plugins

I've been enabling Rhino version 5 light weight extrusions to the Geometry Gym Rhino plugins, that uses less memory, meshes faster and saves out to much smaller file sizes.
http://wiki.mcneel.com/rhino/rhinov5status_extrusions

I've seen and heard some positive demonstrations and reports of this improvement, but decided to do some quick bench marking for myself and the results are impressive.

I prepared some approximate models of the British Museum Great Court Roof as part of this discussion with importing IFC models into Archicad.

The model comprises 5180 members, and the improvements from v4 to v5 are really impressive.
I've benchmarked using the Geometry Gym IFC importing plugin, which will use the new extrusions when running in v5.  If you want to try for yourself, install/update the plugin, http://www.geometrygym.com/downloads and the IFC data file can be downloaded here.

Or, if you just want to open the rhino model, download here.

Time wise (only considering the generation of the extrusions, ignoring file reading time etc) it took 35 seconds on my computer to generate 5180 version 4 extrusions.  In version 5, it took less than a second.

When saving out the rhino model, version 4 produced a file 74 MB, version 5 produced a 3 MB file.

And there is very little lag or delay when panning, zooming and rotating the v5 model, in comparison with v4.

The only drawback (which should be a temporary matter and improved as the beta version of 5 progresses) is a much slower start up time for version 5, particularly 64 bit (which seems to be made slower by loading geometry gym plugins which is being investigated).

However, if you're working on skeletal or frame models, I strongly recommend taking the step up and using v5.  Extrusion elements also can accomodate end miter planes, which I'm in progress of enabling to the plugins.

With regards to the IFC plugin, you might also notice some other speed improvements when importing large faceted brep models generated by other BIM software.

Feel free to comment with any suggestions or observations of your own.

Grasshopper - Solver Results

I've been progressing components for accessing Structural Analysis solver results recently, primarily for Oasys Gsa and others will shortly follow.  I'm also in early phases of testing a structural analysis solver directly within a Grasshopper plugin (to analyze linear static frames directly and extract results, which should be quicker than sending data to external programs).

I've enabled a Grasshopper component for my vector field to streamlines algorithm, also the work of SPM is looking encouraging in this area.

If you don't have Oasys GSA, you can try this definition (I've baked some principal stress lines into the Rhino document) or you can test the result extraction from GSA using this definition.  Both need this Rhino document with basis mesh.

Also, here's a definition demonstrating generation of false color mesh for Von Mises Stress.

I've also enabled some new features for form finding directly from within Grasshopper using the GSA fablon solver, here's a nice example from a user request outlined here.  Grasshopper Definition

I look forward to hearing suggestions and questions from users.

GH GSA Form Finding Tensegrity

A first study of tensegrity form finding using GSA, I plan to add to this post some models of some nice towers.

Here's a start to that, note I'm looking to adjust the component calculation order as the solver needs to be computed only after all other components have calculated.  If you have problems of only partial model update, try deleting and adding a new solver component (or disabling, recomputing, and enabling).

Model Files to try yourself.

Galapagos and GSA solver

It's still early stages of testing and development of some recent work I've been doing to enable access to GSA solver directly within Grasshopper (and importantly Galapagas).

The attached example is still primitive, I'll find a moment to extend it to include a stiffness per mass objective, but it does demonstrate a few aspects of using this technique.

All feedback appreciated, including requests for more components to save manual generation of GWA attributes (which is shown for the point load generation).

Grasshopper Definitions
GSA    SAP    SpaceGASS    Egret    Robot

Grasshopper-GSA Form Finding and Structural Analysis

Some really exciting new features to be activated in the next public build of the Rhino/Grasshopper plugin connecting to Oasys GSA that will allow generation of a complete Structural Analysis model within Grasshopper including loads, materials, analysis tasks and solver controls.  This will allow form finding of membrane and tensegrity structures incorporating advanced structural attributes including loads, with realistic materials.

This will not be real time "dynamic" response such as kangaroo physics plugin (which at present can not perform at real time speeds with realistic materials and stiffness).

Interrogating and utilizing analysis results will also be enabled, including more conventional models and frames.

If you have requests/suggestions for this release don't hesitate to get in touch.  Other popular solvers including SAP2000, Robot and Strand7 are expected to follow in the near future.

I'll shortly be posting more detailed instructions, but for the time being you can download the grasshopper definition from here : Grasshopper Definition  You'll need latest Plugin for GSA from http://www.geometrygym.com/downloads

GH to GSA Finite Elements from Area and Regions

A feature that I added earlier this year was the ability to generate Structural Areas and Regions for Oasys GSA from Grasshopper.  You then mesh the structural areas within GSA.

Here's the associated models to try yourself.

Rhino model  Grasshopper Definition

SCIA and Grasshopper

Thanks to the Scia Open Interface (which is a library for reading and writing XML data files for Scia) I'm pleased to present a new plugin for exchanging data with Nemetschek Scia.  Thanks in particular to Mark Flamer and Peter Zalman for their assistance with this.

Here's two example files to start with, the popular 3 pin truss generation

Rhino Model    Grasshopper Model   Scia XML Export
and generating a mesh model:

Rhino Model   Grasshopper Model   Scia XML Export

The Scia open interface is still work in progress, it's not allowing me to open models yet and I see node restraints are generated in xml but do not seem to be acknowledged by scia in the latest version.  So please use with care.  But if you would like to see these improvements and more in the tools, the more interest I can demonstrate I'm sure will encourage fixes and support for this development.

Installation instructions are here: http://www.grasshopper3d.com/group/geometrygym/forum/topics/installing-geometry-gym  I'd recommend installing StructDrawRhino as it is also used in some sample models.

IFC Generating Quantity Measurements

I've just returned from two weeks of visiting various architecture and engineering firms in Paris and London, and one of the latest features that generated lots of interest is the new developments to generate quantity and
planning information within Grasshopper and Rhino3d.

Not only can you have real time response of these quantities, but also export these downstream to your other BIM software for use in schedules, reports etc etc.  I have set it up so the property sets and element quantities are fully customizable, so that you can ensure the attributes are tagged as your BIM software will recognize it (In the attached example, I've based this on a Revit sample file provided to me).

There's a lot more that I can enable with this including building services, costing, building performance etc etc, so if you have ideas or requests, please send them through.

Please test this out for yourself on this sample tower model, you'll need the latest IFC plugin.  Installation instructions: http://www.grasshopper3d.com/group/geometrygym/forum/topics/installing-geometry-gym

Grasshopper Model
IFC Model Data