Grasshopper BIM. Session 11. Jon Mirtschin, Geometry Gym Pty Ltd. Class Description

Transcription

1 Session 11 Grasshopper BIM Pty Ltd Class Description Introduction to Grasshopper as a graphical programming environment and how it can be used to author BIM data for software such as Revit. Case studies will be demonstrated on Grasshopper plugins including Chameleon, Geometry Gym, Grevit, Hummingbird and Lyrebird. About the Speaker: Jon Mirtschin, received his Bachelor of Engineering/Science from the University of Melbourne in He worked as a structural engineer for Connell Wagner and Expedition Engineering before starting Geometry Gym Pty Ltd, specializing in Computational Geometry and BIM software tools, particularly for model exchange between different software platforms.

2 Grasshopper BIM Note that the comparisons/observations/links are current at the time of preparation, April Features and capability can change dramatically if a new version is subsequently released so please review if you are using this guide to check for accuracy. Grasshopper has emerged as a very popular graphical programming environment for architects and engineers. With a powerful geometry kernel and an ability to generate and assess a multitude of options, it is a powerful tool particularly in the conceptual and early design phases of a project development. However Rhino/Grasshopper are not so strong in required functionality for later stages of design in terms of scheduling and technical drawing production. So it is natural that many designers are looking to exchange their model data from Grasshopper to software such as Revit for performing these tasks. The demand for Grasshopper to Revit has motivated several users to develop plugins to enable and automate this process. This paper should assist users in determining which of these offerings might best suit their needs. Factors to consider include: Purchase Cost Nearly all are free, some require payment. OpenSource Some are opensource, permitting the opportunity for external customization or participation in improvements Improvement activity and bug fix response One project appears to be abounded, a few are done as hobbies or based on in-house requirements and it is unlikely and unreasonable to expect support and rapid response in this case. Others are developed and sold with support. You get what you pay for is an old saying, but not to say that the free versions aren t an economic choice if functionality is as needed. Versions Some plugins will only support or update the latest versions of Grasshopper/Revit, others will support (with active improvements) to older versions Operation time Some plugins are a (near) one click exchange, others require user management and intervention. For firms the time cost of staff can quickly make the commercial alternatives a money saving investment. Page 2 of 19

3 Operation Some plugins send the data from Grasshopper to Revit using API pipelines or TCP/IP traffic, others use interim file saving measure. On large models locking up a computer, rhino license and revit license for the duration could be problematic. Also the process is reported to be temperamental with some of the tools causing crashes. Some plugins use text files or file saving which also has a benefit of a record of the exchange conducted. Updating Revisions Plugins have varying ability to update/replace/delete previous model objects when subsequent exchanges are conducted. Some will require manual intervention. I ve tried to compile this handout with an unbiased point of view, but you should certainly seek the opinions of others (also considering any bias they might have). Here s some links Page 3 of 19

4 Lyrebird lmn architects Status Active Latest Update - November 2014 Download - Revit Versions Supported 2016, 2015 and 2014 Development - Open Source Operation Sends data directly from Grasshopper to corresponding Revit plugin. Hummingbird Tim Meador and Mario Guttman Status Active Latest Update - April 2015 Download - Revit Versions Supported and 2014 Development Private released to public at no cost Operation Exports grasshopper to csv (comma separated value) file which is then imported into Revit. Grevit Maximilian Thumfart Status - Active Latest Update December 2014 Download Revit Versions Supported 2015, 2014 Development Private released to public at no cost Operation - Sends data directly from Grasshopper to corresponding Revit plugin. ggrhinoifc and ggrevitifc - Geometry Gym Status - Active Latest Update - April 2015 Download Revit Versions Supported 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 Development Commercial, Free access for Academic Use Operation Utilizes openbim file format IFC as an intermediate file exchange. Page 4 of 19

5 Chameleon Hiroshi Jacobs Status - Inactive Latest Update - June 2013 Download Link Inactive Revit Versions Supported 2014, 2013 Development Private released to public at no cost Operation - Sends data directly from Grasshopper to corresponding Revit plugin. CASE Tools CASE Status - Active Latest Update not known Download not known Revit Versions Supported not known Development Commercial Operation Understood it uploads data to server which can then be downloaded to Revit. Page 5 of 19

6 Functionality Provided A quick summary of plugin evident components and functionality is now outlined. Lyrebird Lyrebird has a single component that can take as inputs location point, Adaptive Component point locations, Curves, Orientation Vectors and Face relative orientation vectors. Hummingbird Page 6 of 19

7 Hummingbird has grasshopper components to generate : Adaptive Components, Floors, Grids, Levels, Walls, Beams, Columns, Families, Lines, Loft Forms, Mass Families, Rooms/Areas, TopoSuface Grevit Grevit has grasshopper components to generate: Adaptive Components, Columns, Curves, Extrusions, Family Instance Placement, Grids, Hatches, Levels, Walls, Rooms, Floors, Text Notes, Topography points and Parameters. It seems to have place holders for Structural objects which are not apparently developed yet. Page 7 of 19

8 Geometry Gym The Geometry Gym Revit components are able to generate: Grids, Levels, Materials, Material Layers, Profiles including Regional Catalogue and standard shapes, Architectural and Structural Generic Model Family Types, Column Types, Floor Types, Structural Framing Types, Wall Types, Direct Shape Instances, Adaptive Components, Family Instance Placements, Columns, Floors, Structural Framing and Walls. Also parameters of types Text, Integer, Number, True/False, Length, Area and Volume. Chameleon Page 8 of 19

9 Chameleon has primarily one component to generate Revit Adaptive Components, one to set Parameters and two others to extract data from Revit. Case Unfortunately at the time of compiling this handout I was not able to get access to the Case plugin, and thus have not been able to test it. From details on the blog of a Case staff member, it seems it has components to generate Grids, Levels, Adaptive Components, Floors, Hosted Objects, Family Instance Placement and ability to set parameter values. It is presumed this plugin would perform very well as a comparison to the others included. Page 9 of 19

10 Adaptive Components Generation of adaptive components is one common capability of all the plugins considered and thus is a good place to start comparisons. Lyrebird Page 10 of 19

11 Hummingbird Grevit Page 11 of 19

12 Geometry Gym Chameleon All work successfully at generating the adaptive component elements except Grevit. In this test case Page 12 of 19

13 Floors Floors have more complexity to them and I tested a range of inputs for this, including a polyline outline, a polyline outline with an internal opening, a polycurve (arc) segment perimeter and a nurbs perimeter. Note Revit doesn t accept a single closed perimeter curve so either the plugin or user must split the curve into at least two in this case. Note also that Revit really only accepts degree 3 curves so it s possible a rebuild is required in this case. Lyrebird Lyrebird won t create floor objects, but it does have an input to create model curves for the user to manually use. Unfortunately I couldn t successfully create the model curves with my attempts to use this. Page 13 of 19

14 Hummingbird I had partial success with Hummingbird with my test cases. It created the polyline perimeter floor fine, it did not create an internal opening. The polycurve test worked great. To achieve a nurbs perimeter I had to split it in grasshopper prior. Grevit Grevit created a polyline perimeter floor, but errors caused the process to abort for all other tests. The floor was at an incorrect scale meaning geometry should be manually scaled prior to feeding into Grevit. Page 14 of 19

15 Geometry Gym Page 15 of 19

16 Columns Generating Columns was tested in the plugins offering that functionality. The lack of preview in hummingbird and grevit can make checking and trouble shooting a more difficult process in elaborate setouts. Hummingbird Hummingbird seemed to fail to generate structural columns, but can place architectural columns. Also no apparent ability to generate a sloping column. Calculation of orientation angles required by the user. Page 16 of 19

17 Grevit Grevit creates the structural columns, but has no ability to orientate them. Geometry Gym Works well with orientation. Ability to use the catalogue profile with different revit naming convention would require user adjustment. Page 17 of 19

18 Pros and Cons Lyrebird Grasshopper Component Revit version isn t sticky and has to be manually nominated each session. Not much feedback about failure to create objects. Hummingbird Tracks objects created but can t update changes to existing. Cancel button is provided to abort Revit generation which is not found in other plugins. Can be a little tedious to generate lots of different nature objects as each generates a separate file which needs to be manually picked for import in Revit. CSV (comma separated value) file provides ability to record what was sent. Revit and Grasshopper can be used in isolation by independent users. Revit undo only removes one element at a time. Grevit Offers a lot of functionality. A single error seems to abort the generation of all elements. Having to scale geometry inputs to feet isn t ideal in terms of managing this and risk of mistakes. Geometry Gym Offers a lot of functionality. Page 18 of 19

19 A log of model transferred can be stored in the openbim IFC file. Can also be used to exchange to other software including Tekla and Archicad. Offers preview of objects in view port, but requires families etc to be defined in Grasshopper (it is expected that importing families from a Revit project/template will be provided soon). Revit and Grasshopper can be used in isolation by independent users. Chameleon Seems to be an abandoned project and doesn t load beyond Revit Conclusion Hopefully this handout with lab data can help inform those considering Grasshopper to Revit work flows about the differing functionality and operation the alternative plugin developers are offering. It is by no means a comprehensive or exhaustive comparison, but every single user is likely to have a near unique set of requirements and expectations. If a free plugin offers exactly the functionality needed then that a great result. The commercial plugins are likely to offer more comprehensive functionality with superior access to support and improvements. Page 19 of 19