Beginner Grasshopper Course Notes

Introduction

Starting Grasshopper
- Launch via tool icon or command.
- First launch presents a starter tutorial window.
- Suggest keeping tutorial browser ticked for beginners.
User Interface
- Understanding the ribbon, tabs, and modes.
- Descriptive icons and tabs based on functionality (Math, Surface, Intersections, etc.).
- Add-ons and plugins enhance the base.
- Using nodes to build scripts.
- Creating the first node (example with addition).
- Saving Grasshopper files.
- Multiple files handling in Grasshopper.
- Autosave feature.
- Node operations (inputs, outputs, greyed/colored states).
- Understanding nodes' color codes (white, orange, red, grey).
Important Tools
- Creating panels to display values.
- Connecting values between nodes.
- Shift key to add multiple inputs.
- Introduction to different types of nodes and changes they facilitate.
- Accessing and using math formulas, surface tools, intersection tools, etc.
- Example: Creating a circle with a defined center point and radius.

Types of Geometry Containers
- Point, Curve, Surface, Mesh, SubD.
- Geometry container for referencing all types.
Referencing Geometry/Meshes
- Selecting appropriate containers based on the dimension and type.
- Referencing geometry in grasshopper.
Primitives and Empty Containers
- Understanding geometry types and operating logic.
- Utility of parameters tab for operands.

Non-Geometric Operations
- Addition, division, power with basic UI example.
Geometric Operations
- Creating points and lines between points.
- Example: Polyline, Nervs curve, intersection tabs.
- Creating surface and extruding along axes.
- Node interplay and visualization.

Understanding Lists
- Lists of items (example with Divide Curve).
- Using panels to check lists and their points.
- Creating geometry automatically from lists.
- Random number generation and control.
Domains
- Definition and construction of domains.
- Mapping numbers with remap operation.
- Examples with distance remapping and applying to geometry (circles).
- Output values and directional vectors.

Vectors Basics
- Creating and visualizing vectors using display tools.
- Unit vectors, amplitude, and vector display nodes.
Planes Basics
- Creating planes using reference points.
- Example with standard/named planes.
- Intersection of geometries (example with mesh plane intersection).

Introduction to Meshes
- Mesh vertices, edges, faces.
Constructing Meshes
- Examples with polygons and triangular faces.
- Deconstructing meshes into vertices.
- Measuring areas and volumes.
- Boolean operations with meshes: difference, union, intersection.
Advanced Mesh Tools
- Using tools like 'Quad Remesh' and 'SubD Tools'
- Examples of surface fitting and simplification.
Generating Surfaces from Meshes
- Tools like 'surface from points' and planar surfaces.
- Example of defining geometry with evaluated points.

Introduction to NURBS
- Differences from meshes, examples of infinite resolution.
Creating and Manipulating NURBS Surfaces
- Tools and primitives for NURBS (boxes, spheres).
- Boolean operations.
- Iso trim, manipulation, and visualization.
Example Projects
- Complex geometries and interpolation.
- Generating structures/ facade systems using NURBS.

Using SubD Tools
- Introduction to SubD modeling and transition to NURBS.
- Tools for mesh manipulation and subdivision.
- Creating SubD forms and examples of geometry operations.

Translating, Moving, and Orienting Geometry
- Commands for movement, rotation, scaling.
- Using frames and anchor points for transformations.
- Morphing and projection.

Working with Text in Grasshopper
- Manipulating text entities and strings.
- Tools and operations for splitting, joining, and transforming text.
- Practical examples of text-based parametric operations.

Introduction to Custom Previews
- Tools for color and transparency.
- Using gradient and text tag nodes.
- Practical features for changing display settings and outputs.

Creating Forces and Vectors in Fields
- Point, line, and spin charges.
- Evaluating fields using points and vectors.
- Practical simulations of force fields and geometry transformations.

Understanding Data Trees
- Introduction to data structures in Grasshopper.
- Flattening, grafting, simplifying, and reversing trees.
Data Operations
- Using tools like flip matrix, combine, clean, and others for practical purposes.
Example Project
- Practical usage in complex definitions, operation synthesis.

Introduction to Kangaroo Plugin
- Setting physics goals and simulation engines.
- Creating tensile structures and mesh operations.
- Practical simulations and force applications in geometry.

Installing Plugins
- Steps to install through Package Manager and food4rhino.
Commonly Used Plugins
- Weaverbird, Cocoon, Animon tools and practical application.

Practical Applications and Further Learning
- Recommendations for continuous learning and simple project execution.
- Exploring community resources and example files for further mastery.

Data Dams
- Controlling heavy data flow in scripts for efficient processing.
Clustering and Grouping Nodes
- Simplifying complex definitions by grouping nodes and creating reusable clusters.