Circle operations uses Hoopsnake to recursively generate ever smaller circles in very precise patterns.  The definition uses the previous circle to determine the new radius and location for the following circle.  The radius is divided by a factor, changing this factor alters both the radius and the next position.  The position is drawn from a remapped domain, this produces the spiral.  Each  sequential circle is located on a rotating axis produced by evaluating the previous circle.  When the definition generates a circle it uses list insert to populate a complete list of all the circles previously created.  Using list item at the beginning of the circle generator allows us to only operate on the most recently created circle.

The tower is a simple example of using the diagrammatic qualities of the spiral in a more formal solution.  It simply moves the points up in the z-axis and generates a voronoi pattern. These cells are then broken apart and the points are piped.  The height of the tower and the distance between cells can be changed. 

Download Circle Operations GHX

Note:Version of Grasshopper Used-(Grasshopper 0.8.0063)

Version of HoopSnake Used-(HoopSnake 0.6.1)

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For those who don’t know, hoopsnake is a component for grasshopper that allows the user to perform recursive operations. This has been consistently on the wishlist for features within grasshopper. This is the first time I’ve been able to experiment with the new component. You can download the new component along with a large amount of tutorial files to help you get off the ground at http://www.volatileprototypes.com/projects/hoopsnake/.

My exploration focuses on the base features. It takes a starting value adds to it consistently until it reaches a limit threshold set in my initial variables. These values are used as seeds to generate a varying topology that is then confined and split from a box. The result is a continuous list of varied objects. The benefit being that now I can filter down the list to desirable solutions.

Download Mesh Form Generator

Note:Version of Grasshopper Used-(Grasshopper 0.8.0063)

Version of HoopSnake Used-(HoopSnake 0.6.1)

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This definition is very simple, but incredibly useful.  It sorts a series of points based on distance and then creates connections based on that list.  The only slider in the definition is used to control the number of connections that are allowed.  The purpose of the definition being that it optimizes the placement of connections.

Connecting Points Grasshopper File

Note:Version of Grasshopper Used-(Grasshopper 0.6.0059)

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The interconnected wall stems from work originally proposed by Erwin Hauer, this example has been reworked in grasshopper and tested physically on a cnc milling machine. The definition is used to design panels which do not collide with each other.  It uses curves taken from rhino space to sweep2 a surface.  This surface is extruded; which creates a closed brep that is suitable for a difference component.  A cylinder is subtracted, then the piece is rotated 180 degrees to face the previous piece.  In this stage it is important to make sure that no edges are colliding, this can be done by adjusting either the curves or the radius of the cylinder.  My dimensions responded to the fact that I was cutting the object out of 2″ insulation foam, but all of the dimension can be controlled in the definition.

Interconnected Loop Tile Grasshopper File

Note:Version of Grasshopper Used-(Grasshopper 0.6.0059)

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This definition was designed to facet any surface, into a grid that can the be divided up into perforated panels.  I’ve included the grasshopper file for people to play with, all thats required from rhino’s end is a series of curves to loft and an attractor point.

Perforation Panel Grasshopper File

Note:Version of Grasshopper Needed-(Grasshopper 0.6.0059)

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In my previous articles, my exploration of flocking has remained in the realm of a diagram.  This iteration is the first step in taking those conceptual thoughts and brining them to a more architectural level.   My previous diagrams generated a logic.  The logic consisted of a series of points that responded to one another and a series of vectors attached to those points.  The next step I took was in aggregating those collections of points.

The aggregations involved connecting the spheres of flocking’s origin points.  After the aggregation each of the flocks was connected to the next via a poly-line.  Those lines were the divided to create points, these points were affected by the semi circles, which effectively represent spheres of influence.  The points are then turned into floor plates.

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This Grasshopper definition uses a grid of points to generate a series of curves that respond to an attractor point.  This definition is a great example of using really simple and basic concepts of parametrics to accomplish a more complicated goal.  Essentially, all this definition is composed of is an attractor point that adjusts the curvature of a plane and an attractor point that adjusts the radius of circles that are projected onto that surface.  The small bit of vbscript at the end is used to split the circles from the surface.

Note:Version of Grasshopper Needed-(Grasshopper 0.6.0019)

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I've just uploaded a new tutorial based around the grasshopper plug-in for rhino, Louver Tutorial.  For those who don't know about grasshopper, visit this link (Grasshopper).  In short, grasshopper is a plug-in for rhino that is used to generate parametric objects.  Its more or less a playground for creating relationships between geometries.  In the tutorial, I explain by example how to decompose a surface in order to map points along it.  These points become the start of a louver system, in which all kinds of relationships could be created to organize their generation.

Note:Version of Grasshopper Needed-(Grasshopper 0.6.0019)

These are the iterations of the previously discussed grasshopper definition.  The system on the left has its ratios(see first article) set to change at each iteration starting at .3 moving towards .8 and then returning to .3 at even intervals.  The system on the right is used as a control it is permanently set to .5.  All of these itterations stem from an understanding of flocking, researched from Craig Reynold’s original algorithm.  For a better understanding I would recommend that people start there, Craig has very simple rules that explain the processes that are occurring.

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Flocking is the subtle organization of part to part relationships. One of the most common examples of this is obviously flocks of birds, such as the starlings at Otmoor(see video after the break). Flocking in that case consists of a couple elements. The first being clustering of parts, so these parts are forming a spatial relationship of proximity. The next being a correspondence to average heading, each of those starlings not only react to the spatial field of the others, but also to the direction in which they are headed. The final element is a collection of average mass, this is almost a example of part to whole, except for the fact that it is less a reaction and more of a product generated by the first two rules. The starlings as a field of objects generate an emergent condition, the first two elements are a reaction, while the center of mass is something else entirely it is an emergent product generated through the complexity of the system.

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