New to Rhino Grasshopper? Welcome to some basic instructions on how to get started! In short, I’ll tell you. This is really a quick summary of information you’ll find more thoroughly explained elsewhere, e.g. In Mode Lab’s. For more background sources also check.

What is Grasshopper? Grasshopper is a Rhino3D plugin that allows you to model things that can’t be done in Rhino3D alone. It is a built-in programming tool. In contrast to other built-in programming tools however that demand code scripting (e.g. Python), Grasshopper offers a more designer-friendly, visual, object-style approach for basically the same ends. The basic idea is to plug data inputs into components that produce geometry output.

Fancy Wires Display In Grasshopper (rhino For Mac)

This illustration from the shows the difference: Other than some marketing lyrics proclaim this does not mean Grasshopper is always easy to use. You still have to think like a programmer when utilizing it – but then, at least you won’t have to struggle with code syntax. For an architect, this makes a hell of a difference.

You want to see more information? Check my article on. Grasshopper and Rhino3D Grasshopper is a Rhino3D plugin which means you can’t use it standalone. Until short, you had to download and install it yourself but today it comes pre-installed with Rhino3D V6 (WIN) and Rhino3D V5 (MAC). You need Rhino3D’s viewports to preview Grasshopper’s geometry output – Grasshopper’s canvas itself can only display your component composition: A Grasshopper definition (that’s what a working set of components is called) has to be saved to stay with you and the world. Other than Rhino3D’s generic files the format is.gh.

Theoretically, Grasshopper files are independeant from Rhino3D files. In practice, there are 2 scenarios, though: When building up definitions in Grasshopper you can either reference Rhino3D geometry or construct everything directly in Grasshopper. When you input Rhino3D points, curves etc.

You have to make sure that you always keep 2 files to save your work: The Rhino3D file (.3dm) and the Grasshopper file (.gh). When you develop your geometry in Grasshopper without any reference to existing Rhino3D geometry you may only keep the Grasshopper file. You want to see more information? Check my article on. How to start Grasshopper That’s simple: Type grasshopper into Rhino3D’s command prompt. Or click the Grasshopper icon in Rhino3D’s Standard toolbar: Either way, Grasshopper opens up. If you have more than one screen, pull Grasshopper’s window onto one of them.

If you have only one screen, press the so the Grasshopper window fills the right half of your screen. Do the same for your Rhino3D window, but – of course – put that one on the left half of your screen (Windows-Left Arrow). On Mac, you have a to split your screen for two apps. You want to see more information?

Check my article on. How to customize Grasshopper There’s not much to customize in Grasshopper compared to larger software suites. Let me show you my favorite changes. First of all, per default Grasshopper components are displayed with their names on it: Let’s change the Display settings to Icon: Now it’s easier to identify (or guess) the component’s function: At the same location, choose Fancy Wires for connection diplay: This helps you understand the type of data flow between components later on.

If you want to see distinct colors for Grasshopper-induced geometry previews in Rhino3D, choose the according settings under Display – Preview Settings: Here you may set colors for the unselected and selected geometry: That’s all, no more things to customize for the moment. You want to see more information?

Check my article on. How to use Grasshopper To use Grasshopper you will place lots of components on your canvas and connect them. The main problem is always to find the right component. You can browse through the icon sets on top of the canvas, pick the right component and drag it onto the canvas, like this Panel component: Browsing the panels on top of the canvas in order to find an appropriate component is one way.

Another way is to double-click on the canvas and type some command you guess would be the right one. Mostly, Grasshopper will make suggestions along your typing that you can choose from: If you get more than one suggestion (as here for Lines), choose the right one (or take a guess, at least) using the arrow keys and press Enter when done deciding.

The component will appear on the canvas. To get a Number Slider with numbers you wish, just double-click on the canvas and type, e.g.