10 Reasons why

Designers should Learn

Grasshopperby Marco Traverso

Parametric 3D Modeling has been traditionally associated with engineering CAD software.

Today however, thanks to the availability of tools like Grasshopper, the parametric/procedural 3D approach is adopted more and more by creative professionals like designers and architects.

Learning parametric design and Grasshopper can require a bit of time and a slight shift in mindset, however I believe there are many reasons that make this effort very much worthwhile.

In this small guide I’ll summarize what I consider the most important ones.

1

Introduction: What is Grasshopper?

Grasshopper is a flexible and powerful visual programming tool integrated in Rhinoceros. It can be used to generate complex 3D models using a parametric / procedural design approach, without the need of knowing a programming language.

The parametric definitions are build connecting nodes called components in the Grasshopper window

(on the left)

1 - Construction history

If you are familiar with Rhino, you probably know that the integrated construction history is quite limited and in real-world applications it can be used only for a limited number of operations.

Grasshopper can provide a complete, fully editable construction history - it is no coincidence that its original name was "Explicit History" – and this gives the designer complete control over the modeling process.

2

2 - Design tweakability

Good design is often in the details: finding the right, most harmonious proportions often requires many iterations, and if you take into account the combination of different parameters, this usually involves multiple modeling and subsequent review sessions, resulting in a very long and possibly tedious process, even for a limited number of iterations.

Compared to the direct modeling approach, setting up a parametric 3D model may require a bit more time and a different approach, however it makes up for it by allowing to make practically infinite adjustments and test different combinations of parameters with a very quick visual feedback.

This ultimately leads to create better designs in less time - which for a designer isn't a bad thing.

A parametric definition can allow designers to change features like fillet radiuses on multiple

elements to easily find the best solution

3

3 - Product variations

One of the most evident benefits of a parametric design approach is the possibility of easily creating different product variations or product families based on the same basic features.

Having a well-executed parametric model allows to make modifications to all the different product variants and to check the results in real-time.

So, when working with families of products, the benefits and time savings mentioned in the previous point are actually even bigger.

Shape exploration of designs – all based on the same parametric model

4 - Reusability of design elements

The inherent modular nature of parametric modeling tools allows designers to create their own library of elements that can be reused and combined together when needed.

It's a bit like working with code or 3D modeling with kit-bashing: you can save your own “snippets” and re-use them to build more complex creations very quickly.

This provides an additional, indirect return on investment.

4

5 - Allows to easily design complex shapes

Designers and creative professionals always strive for creating something unique and unseen, and this often involves the use of new tools and technology.

For this reason using a parametric design tool like Grasshopper is very attractive, as it enables to create complex patterns and shapes that are not easily doable with conventional modeling approaches.

So by adding this new tool to their toolbox, designers can expand their creative possibilities.

Left: Renault Trezor – Right: Mini Electric Concept

Left: Peugeot-e-Legend-Concept – Right: Audi Aicon Concept

5

6 - Allows for creative explorations and happy accidents

Pure creativity is not usually associated with parametric design. However, as I was becoming familiar with the parametric workflows, I found out that once you have a complete parametric model, you can literally "play" with the different parameters by moving sliders and knobs and discover new, unexpected results that you didn't - and couldn't - think of in advance.

It's a bit like finding shapes in the clouds, with the substantial difference that once you find something interesting, that "something" is already in the form of a finished 3D model ready for use.

For me this was really a surprising discovery, and that's why this is one of my personal favorite reasons.

A simple example showing how even a simple parametric model can be used to explore completely

different concepts

6

7 - It's a trendy, valuable skill

While "trendy" can be a sensitive word in the design world, it’s undeniable that trends plays an important role in the industry.

Today there is a growing tendency in the use of shapes and patterns created using algorithm-driven design processes.

Learning Grasshopper – the industry standard in the field - is very relevant to many design fields, from architecture to product/industrial design.

For the same reason, knowing how to use Grasshopper is also a highly valuable skill, more and more sought after by design studios and architecture firms, and can make the difference when looking for a job.

Left: DS X E-Tense Concept – Right: Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury in Motion Concept

From left to right: Nest, Herman Miller, HP, Coway Mega

7

8 - It's a very affordable, "lite" parametric solution

If you wish to implement a parametric design solution for a project, using Grasshopper allows you to do it on a very limited budget - even for free if you already own a Rhino license.

This can be quite interesting considering that the average licensing price for a parametric CAD solution is extremely high and not always justified for small and midsize design studios or freelancers.

While it is undisputable that the capabilities of the established parametric CAD solutions are in another league, however in some cases Grasshopper can provide just enough features to have a working solution, a sort of "lite" parametric CAD, which maintains the compatibility with the freeform surfaces that can be created with Rhino.

Possible applications include the creation of elements that have a inherent parametric/modular

nature – like automotive rims.

8

9 - Flexibility - Combines the best of parametric modeling and direct modeling

Apart from the price argument, another advantage of Grasshopper over some complex parametric CAD applications is the extreme flexibility.

You can use Grasshopper to create an entire model, or just for a small part of a larger object.

There are very few constraints, it's very easy to "experiment" and to use Grasshopper's parametric tools only where and when needed - which by the way blends perfectly in the overall flexible philosophy of Rhino.

This allows designers to get the best from the direct modeling and the parametric modeling worlds, all within a single project file.

It is possible to automate the creation of multiple details - for example 3D textures and stitching

9

10 - It's fun!

Although this may sound a bit of a stretch, however if you already have an analytic mindset and/or if you love to tweak your creations and explore new possibilities, using a parametric design tool like Grasshopper can become quite addictive and fun!

...3 Bonus Reasons

While I was editing this text, I realized that there are other interesting facts about using a visual programming tool like Grasshopper, so here are three additional “bonus” reasons.

10

11. It's an alternative, beginner-friendly approach to programming

Using Grasshopper requires the designer to think in a rational, logic way which is typical of coding.

If you don't know any programming language, and are a bit scared of learning one, Grasshopper will teach you the right mindset, and it'll be much easier for you to step into programming afterwards.

And, if you already know a programming language, using Grasshopper will be very refreshing, as it offers designers and programmers a visual debugging system that shows the results in real-time as the algorithm is being built.

12. Teaches the node-based system

Once you get used to working with a visual programming tool, you’ll have learned a skill that can prove very useful when using or learning similar node-based software.

Today there are many applications that use this philosophy, and given the power and flexibility of the approach, the number is going to increase in the future.

Nde-based design applications include Houdini, Substance Designer, Blender’s Cycle, and VFX software like Blackmagic Fusion or Nuke, just to name a few.

13. It’s not just for 3D modeling

Thanks to its flexibility and the availability of many 3rd party add-ons – moany completely free – Grasshopper can also be used for other purposes: including structural and enviromental analysis, BIM integration, connection with real-world sensors, integration with node.based rendering system and more.

11

Interested in knowing more?

If you wish to know more on the design applications of Grasshopper, or receive updates on new content, tutorials and downloads, you can visit:

www.marcotraverso.it

www.carbodydesign.com

COPYRIGHT NOTE: the images reported in this document are shown as an example of possible applications for editorial purposes. The designs were not necessarily created using Grasshopper. All the pictures are copyrighted by their respective owners.

12