Sunday, July 20, 2008

Spiral Revisited

This grasshopper project builds on an earlier exercise that built a spiral using simple transformations. While it is relatively simple to define a spiral mathematically, it is difficult to modify the strict form using the expression. If you are interested in the expression for a spiral, here is a link to the Google group posting.

The goal for this project was to have the first few points lay flat before changing elevation. The thought was this would give it a stable base.

Projecting the shape flat then allows for the creation of the "V" column at the termination of the spiral. A split, subset, and interval are used to create spokes between different parts of the spiral.


Here is a
link to the grasshopper file.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Intro Rhino Tutorial 005 - Output: Maxwell Render

This is the 5th and last of the Rhino Intro Tutorials. The intro tutorials were completed for the incoming 3G1 studio for their second assignment. Additional Rhino Tutorials will deal with more advanced issues.


This tutorial takes the model from the previous tutorial and creates a simple exterior rendering. A sky and people are added with a couple of simple tricks in photoshop.

Here is a link to the 25 minute video tutorial.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Spiral Structure - Grasshopper

While it is very easy to make a spiral with an equation, I took the approach to make a series of points that build (and translate) from the previous point. Once a series of 10 points have been created, an interpolate curve connects them and then these curves make surfaces. Dividing the curves a series of pipes connect points to form an in between structure.
As more rotation occurs between points, the curve must interpolate, creating oblong cuves.


While the file is not as elegant as I would like, the file includes shift and interval as a way to connect the various divide points. If anyone has a better idea how to repeat the multiple actions of the spiral, I would be open to hearing about it. As far as I know there is no loop function which would do the trick.


Download the grasshopper file here .





Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Rhino Tutorial Output: Vectors

The fourth tutorial models a simple massing and takes it through make2D and into Illustrator.

Here is a link to the 40 minute video.




Sunday, July 6, 2008

Illuminated Surface

Here is a small project that I have been working on for part of an installation. The surface (about 3'x3') will act as backdrop and light for a small table in a gallery. A series of back lights will be controlled interactively through interaction with furniture in the space.


Two splines are used to control a series of surfaces and the toolpaths used to mill the surface.


Here are the lines overlaid on the surfaces. At various points the surface splits to allow a small aperature to move from behind. The various iterations of the line drawings are made through the movement of the two splines. Digital Project was used to define the relationships and only after everything was worked out, the splines were modified to approximate the final proportions of the splines and aperatures.


The two renderings show the light from behind as trapped between the two surfaces. The final piece will be milled from plywood.

This series of models is more of a proof of concept for the aperatures. A new model will be developed using the splines, but using a different method to create a model with thickness. The current iteration is only one surface.