This wiki is the first port of call for the Structural Plug-ins for Rhino created by Geometry Gym.
These tools provide efficient means for manipulating and generating 3d models of structure, particularly useful for Stadia, Bridges, Long Span Structures and Atria, where the form and shape are fundamental to the performance and appearance of the project.
These tools allow rapid development and exploration of structural modes, automating many manual repetive tasks and allowing designers to explore further options with greater accuracy. Reduced risk of design coordination failures is enabled by allowing exchange and overlay of models, and design savings in modelling hours are achieved by reducing the number/extent of digital represenations of projects.
These tools are in use in offices of many leading designers around the globe, on projects of varying scale including the 2012 velodrome.
Trial downloads, examples and further explanation can be found on this wiki, and on the developers blog at http://geometrygym.blogspot.com
TOOLS BEING DEVELOPED
Rhino plug-ins for Designers (Architects and Engineers) and Detailers to allow exchange and manipulation of models of innovative and complex geometry.
StructDrawRhino contains a structural section catalogue of profiles that can be added to a Rhino document in the form of extruded beams, or cross section shapes. It also has utilities for modifying points (including moving to curve division, movement in single quadrant echoed/applied to symmetrical quadrants) and layer utilities (including contour sub layer colours).
Also available are interpreting/exporting plug-ins that allows data transfer between Rhino and Structural Analysis programs (currently Oasys GSA, Sofistik and Space Gass). Tools are being developed that will convert rhino curves and surfaces into structral model data. Generic ISO format CIS/2 (and IFC) plugins are under development that will allow interaction with many other programs including REVIT, Tekla, Bentley and RISA amongst others.
Please contact me if you wish to see "actual" projects taking advantage of these tools, and we can arrange an online or personal demonstration.
PARAMETRIC MODELLING
If you haven't tried Grasshopper in Rhino for parametric modelling, then I'm sure you soon will. This video shows a parametric mini-gherkin, with the GWA data being streamed to a text file.
Tansformed gsa node positions in Rhino can then be used to update the original GSA file.
NOTE THIS IS A BETA-RELEASE, please note the this plugin is work in progress with known limitations and improvements to be made. Please use with careful checking and pass on suggestions and report errors that you discover…..
Advantages of using SSI
- Typical Structure model exports do not readily lend themselves to ready "3d" printing for reasons listed below, SSI will reduce manual alterations required to prepare for 3d printing.
- Rhino can quickly produce quality renders (including penguin sketches) of the structure with greater flexibility and control.
- All elements generated in Rhino are identifiable with element numbers, node numbers, time and date generated, model generated from, member properties
- All elements are native Rhino3d polysurfaces that don't restrict or limit futher maniupulation or alteration conducted in Rhino.
- Structural models subdivide (mesh) members for many reasons (intersection/connection with adjacent structure). SSI will interpret and join sequential elements of the same property (unless exception flagged).
- Structural models typically deal with straight (linear) elements, curved members are segmented with divisions. SSI can interpret flagged members to loft the intended arc if desired.
- Underlap/overlap of usual 3d exported segemented members can be avoided by flagging mitre connections for sequential members.
- For many purposes, SSI helps reduce maintaining "simultaneous" maintenance of a CAD and structure model. This can be extremely useful for rapidly producing multiple schemes and quickly adapting to changes.
- Structural elements in analysis models typically have a constant cross-section over entire length. Tapered (or varying) members are split into smaller elements to approximate this (which generates steps in outer appearance). SSI can interpret this situation back into a single element by using the loft flag.
- Layers can be grouped (using the GSA element list), useful for managing models with lots of layers. Layers will inherit parent layer propertys when new layers are created.
- Lists and filters are also interpreted into the Rhino Model, improving user control and allowing scenes such as Construction Sequences to be generated.
Improvements to be addressed with Priority
- Most but not all Library sections (ie UB, UC, EA) are generated. Further library expansions coming soon.
Improvements to be addressed in the short term
- Ability to specify element relocation.
- Split elements/members (at node, by length)
- Standard material applied for new layers with standard steel, wood, glass, concrete materials.
- Access to functions for Scripting
Improvements to be addressed in the short-medium term
- Extend interpreter to read multiple structural model formats (ie CIS/2, MIDAS, RAM, STAAD, Microstran, Prokon, Robot, R-STAB, RISA, all the others I haven't even heard of, bespoke formats). This is easily achieved, I just need a request and reason to add particular packages so please let me know.
Other limitations to be addressed in the long term (ie next version release)
- Ability to manually do operations that conducted by interpreter. (Drawing tools for structural elements will be availability).
- Increased functionality to manipulate/generate structural models from Rhino.
- Any suggestions?
