Getting Started with Grasshopper 3D - BEGINNERS START HERE!

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help beginners get started with Grasshopper 3D, an algorithmic design tool integrated into Rhino 3D. By following these steps, you'll learn how to navigate the interface, use components, and create your first algorithmic shapes.

Step 1: Access Grasshopper in Rhino

• Open Rhino 3D on your computer.
• To access Grasshopper, type Grasshopper into the command line and hit Enter.
• The Grasshopper workspace will appear, providing you with a blank canvas to start creating.

Step 2: Explore the Grasshopper Workspace

Familiarize yourself with the workspace layout

• Canvas: The main area where you will create your designs.
• Components Palette: A menu on the left that contains various components you can drag onto the canvas.
• Tabs: Organize components by function (e.g., Math, Sets, Vectors).

Step 3: Understanding Grasshopper Commands with Components

• Components are the building blocks of Grasshopper.
• Drag components onto the canvas to start your design.
• Each component has inputs (where you provide data) and outputs (where you receive results).

Step 4: Chaining Components Together

• To create more complex shapes, connect the outputs of one component to the inputs of another.
• Click on the output of a component and drag a wire to the input of another component.

Step 5: Finding Help for Components

• Hover over any component to see a tooltip with a brief explanation.
• You can also right-click on a component to access more detailed information or options.

Step 6: Draw Full Names of Inputs

• For clarity, label your inputs with full names. This helps you remember the function of each input when revisiting your project.

Step 7: Utilize Resources for Rhino Components

• The best resource for learning about Rhino components is the official Rhino documentation and forums. Bookmark these for quick access.

Step 8: Generate Shapes with Grasshopper

• Start simple by creating basic shapes. Use components like "Circle," "Rectangle," or "Polygon" to familiarize yourself with shape creation.

Step 9: Use the Search Function

• To quickly find components, use the search bar at the top of the components palette. Type in the name of the desired component to add it to your workspace.

Step 10: Link Items in Rhino to Grasshopper

• You can link points or curves from your Rhino model directly into Grasshopper.
• Use the "Params" tab to find components like "Point" or "Curve" that can reference existing Rhino geometry.

Step 11: Bake Grasshopper Items to Rhino Geometry

• To convert your Grasshopper shapes into Rhino geometry, right-click on the output of the final component and select "Bake."
• Choose the layer and settings for your new geometry.

Step 12: Save Grasshopper Files

• Regularly save your work by clicking on the save icon or by using File > Save.
• Grasshopper files have the extension .gh.

Step 13: Combine Components for Complex Shapes

• Experiment with combining multiple components to create intricate designs.
• For instance, use different mathematical functions to manipulate the shapes you create.

Step 14: Divide Lines into Points

• Use the "Divide Curve" component to split a line into equal segments, creating points along the curve.
• Connect the line to this component's input to generate the points.

Step 15: Add Polygons at Points

• Use the "Polygon" component and connect it to the points generated in the previous step.
• Adjust parameters to change the size and orientation of the polygons.

Step 16: Loft a Surface Over Polygons

• Use the "Loft" component to create a smooth surface over the polygons.
• Connect the output of the polygons to the loft component's input.

Step 17: Randomize Your Surface

• Add randomness to your design by using the "Random" component to alter heights or positions of vertices.
• Connect it to relevant inputs to see how it affects your surface.

Step 18: Disconnect Nodes

• To modify your design, you can disconnect components by clicking on the wire and pressing the delete key.
• This allows you to experiment freely without losing your previous work.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned the foundational steps to get started with Grasshopper 3D, including accessing the workspace, using components, and creating shapes. As you continue to explore, practice combining various components to develop your skills further. Don’t forget to refer to resources and documentation to deepen your understanding of Grasshopper and Rhino. Happy designing!