Week 11: Parametric Design
Nov 1
- Share
- Contouring in Rhino cont
- Intro to Parametric Design
- Grasshopper Overview
- Using parameters in Fusion 360
Parametric Modeling vs Direct Modeling
Parametric Modeling
Parametric Modeling (aka Parametric Design) is a process based on algorithmic thinking that enables the expression of parameters and rules / constraints that, together, define, encode and clarify the relationship between design intent and design response. This approach follows a step by step process and may require careful planning to design a model.
Parametric modeling is extremely useful for products that are driven by dimensions—think standard office fare like desks and shelving or tools that can vary in size. With the parametric approach, engineers can quickly and easily create different configurations of their designs.
Direct Modeling
Direct modeling empowers you to define and capture geometry quickly, without spending time worrying about features, constraints, and original design intent. It is often compared to working with modeling clay. Simply push and pull the geometry until you arrive at just the shape you want.
In direct modeling, designers can push and pull on their model to change it. One benefit of this capability is the ease with which designs can be altered, enabling rapid iteration and prototyping. For that reason, direct modeling has found a niche in the world of industrial design, where fluid curves and bold aesthetics play a big role.
How does this apply to Rhino and Fusion?
Fusion 360
- Parametric Modeling
- History-based
- Does not have a node-based visual editor similar to Grasshipper built-in to Fusion (yet). The closest solution would be to use Dynamo Studio and plugin Dynamo for Autodesk® Fusion 360™.
Rhino
- Direct Modeling
- History-free, unless it's enabled for specific operations. See History.
- Has node-based visual editor Grasshopper (aka Explicit-history) built-in. Through Grasshopper, parametric design is possible, taking form as a "definition" which consists of the design history and thereby the object.
Others
In the past few years, many other types of CAD-like hybrid environments have come to term such as Onshape, a CAD based prodcut design platform.
Similarly, node-based editors or plugins for CAD environments offer designers open-source and accessible alternatives to Grasshopper and Dynamo. Tools such as Sverchok and Sorcar for Blender are paving the way.
References:
- Parametric Design (Wikipedia),
- What’s the Difference Between Parametric and Direct Modeling?
- Introduction Grasshopper and History
- Parametric vs Direct Modeling
- What is Design Intent?
Examples
What types of objects can be considered "parametric"?
Just about anything really. Some examples: Cups, Vases, Pitchers, Bottles, Bells, Bowls, Clothing, Furniture, Lighting, Cars, Personal Items, Buildings!... what else?
- Parametric Design Examples
- CW&T 100 Dropped Pendant Lights (2017)
- Formlabs Digital Factory Pens (2017)
- Gillette Uses 3D Printing to Unlock Consumer Personalization (2018)
- #100bottles100days by Anna Whitehouse - "Touch Clay Everyday"
- Nervous System Design Apps, Kinematics @ Home
- WOVNS, Processing Tutorial
- Opendesk
- Mercedes Grille Patterns
- MY FACE MASK — 3D Printed PCL Mask by WASP (2020)
- Analogue Parametric Design via Catenary Pottery Printer by Great Things to People (GT2P) (2013) / Wayback machine link to project page
Assignment 9: Parametric Object
Objective: Create a parametric definition for an object.
The word "definition" can be interpreted a few ways: a kind of description of the object and its characteristics (not in CAD), an actual Grasshopper definition file, an actual Fusion 360 design file using parameters and constraints.
Note: You do not need to create a full CAD model to complete this assignment. In fact, the principles of parametric design don't even require software to design parametrically.
Part 1: Reading
- Read Parameterize (pdf) chapter from Form+Code in Design, Art, and Architecture.
Part 2: Object
Thoughts on how to accomplish this:
- Choose an object that is familiar and design your own version of it. Create sketches and prototypes.
- You can think of the object as a product if you like. Think about the various projects in the reading. Some are considered artworks, software, products, and objects.
- Deconstruct your design to understand what you want to parameterize and what is constant or fixed. Clearly state what is parametric and what is fixed or constant in your definition. Also, state the ranges over which the variation occurs and why you chose the range. For example, the length of a chair leg is 17" to 19" because the average human leg is 28" to 32" for a 5'4" to 5'7" tall human.
- Create a visual map of design space possibilities. Remember, the "design space" is the space of all possible combinations for your design where each combination of parameters yield unique results.
- If you are working within CAD to explore the design space, create 3-5 different instances of your object and render them. I suggest exploring the rendering modes built into Rhino such as "Shaded" or "Rendered" to produce better looking screenshots. You can make use of the ScreenCaptureToFile Rhino command to save images directly out of the active Rhino viewport. Alternatively, you can go outside of Rhino to render with tools such as Adobe Dimension or Keyshot to place your models into a scene for scale and give them some materials and lighting for realism.
Additional Resources:
- Video: How to Set Up User Parameters in Fusion 360 - Good intro to using parameters in Fuion 360 to design a coffee can lid.
- Adobe Dimension User Guide
Deliverable:
- In a blog post, explain your vision for a parametric object and what makes it parametric. Be sure to embed and include any supporting media and references to resources used.
- Utilize any media necessary to explain your ideas. For example, physical models, diagrams, screenshots, screencaptures, renders, images, animation, and video.
Submit a link to your blog post on Slack #cmstudio.
Due: Nov 8