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Excuse the dumb question

I'm using rhino on a mac and had a general modeling question.

I have a series of 'hairlike' curving lines running through my project which I ultimately want to have be 2'x2' elements (think curving steel hss's)

Since this is a loose thing I was wondering if there's a way, in rhino, to set these up in the general configuration I want, then easily edit them thereafter.

I've created the elements in rhino, but when i edit them the only thing I can change are the control points, but obviously when I pull those around it deforms the shape of the 2x2 section because it is keeping the orientation of original section from the sweep operation. what i'd want is for the original section to always stay perpendicular to the rail curve. I know revit does this correctly, but will only let you edit in one cplane, which is worthless for me.

I realize this question is confusing. Basically what I want is to find an easy way to create, and more importantly edit, one of those blue flexible curves you use to draft with (link) in rhino.

thanks


 
May 28, 09 11:01 am
kungapa

Grasshopper is your friend, young grasshopper.

http://grasshopper.rhino3d.com/

May 28, 09 11:19 am  · 
 · 
l3wis

Villan, I've installed and begun Rhino tuts on my mac - how did you personally learn it? What's the most efficient way to become capable enough with the program to use it in studio as a design tool?

May 28, 09 11:22 am  · 
 · 
alexstitt

damn kungpa, I had a feeling someone would mention grasshopper. While im super interested to learn it, I'm afraid it doesnt run on the Mac version of rhino.

any other suggestions?

Jk, I learned it during undergraduate studios. Just sort of crashed through it and learned what I had to to get desired results. I'd suggest the same thing: screw tutorials, think of a design problem (maybe a competition), and try to bend rhino into doing what you want. you learn very quickly/efficiently that way.

May 28, 09 11:26 am  · 
 · 
Cacaphonous Approval Bot

is record history still an option on yr version of rhino?

May 28, 09 3:03 pm  · 
 · 
alexstitt

i'm not sure, I'm not at my computer but I will check tonight. Would this opperation help me achieve what im looking for?

May 28, 09 3:04 pm  · 
 · 
fine line

Recored History should work (as long as you move the control points, not the line itself). It's a little box by the os snap etc... Click it so that it becomes bold, then do your loft.

jk3hl: There is a series of video tutorials on http://www.designalyze.com/ that show you how to build the Barcelona Pavillion, which is a good start. There are also more complex ones there, including using record history to build a deformable, twisting tower.

I've found that the best way to learn is just to jump in there! It's pretty intuitive - just type what you think you want to do and it'll probably come up. Then go to help if you need more info (lots of tasks have hidden depths and particular procedures). In regards to using it as a design tool, that's up to you. I would say that grasshopper massively increases it's capacity as a design tool so it might be worth installing bootcamp and running it on windows.

May 28, 09 6:35 pm  · 
 · 
alexstitt

yup, recorded history worked like a charm! thanks guys

in case anyone's interested I used the 'flow' command to blend a 500' long 2x2 tube along a spline, and now can move the whole "snake" just by moving the spline's cp's.

May 28, 09 11:00 pm  · 
 · 
blah

recorded history works on the Mac version?

May 29, 09 1:50 am  · 
 · 
alexstitt

yes, like fineline said, its just a check box in the lower right side of the interface next to the osnap box. friggin life saver right now.

I really wish GH was on mac, i'm excited to get into that program

May 29, 09 7:59 am  · 
 · 
l3wis

Agh, shit - 'fine line,' I searched all over designalyze.com for those tutorials... the website's organization is a little messy and I was unable to find them!

Do you have a link?

May 29, 09 11:24 am  · 
 · 
not_here

jk3hl, the key to learning a modeling program is to use it purposefully. grab a couple of household object and model them as closely as you can. then you can start getting original once you know how to use the basic modeling tools.

if you have a problem, go to the manual. keep it by your side. rhino is really nicely documented.

May 29, 09 12:43 pm  · 
 · 
harold

Just for the record. Our Beloved Grasshopper doesn't have PowerCopies. A must in any parametric software.

May 30, 09 4:49 am  · 
 · 
fine line

jk3hl: Sorry, wrong website... http://designreform.net/category/tutorials/rhino3d_modeling_tutorials/

May 30, 09 9:37 am  · 
 · 
BrentJWatanabe

you can make a parametric component harold....

Jun 2, 09 8:59 pm  · 
 · 

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