5 STEPS TO LEARN

GRASSHOPPER

GUIDE FILLED WITH BOOKS, VIDEOS, TUTORIALS,

TRAININGS AND MORE COMPLETELY FOR FREE

Author:
Krzysztof Wojslaw
second edition 2020
 Parametric design  is constantly growing in popularity.
Not only architects but also other industries are
increasingly using it – starting from jewellery,
furniture and ship designers and ending with the
construction sector. The following guide will
describe  5 proven steps  how to learn one of the best
tools for parametric design without spending a
penny.

We will start with the basics which won't require

preparations or specialist knowledge. The next steps
will be more demanding, so each of you, regardless of
your level of initiation, will find something for
yourself.

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5 STEPS TO LEARN

GRASSHOPPER

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 STEP 1: SOFTWARE SELECTION

There are several noteworthy programs for parametric

modelling in our industry. Some of them compete to be
the most affordable and comprehensive. Each
software has something else to offer. If you are just
starting your adventure with parametric design,
choosing a program can be quite confusing.

However, Grasshopper (Rhinoceros 3D plugin) has

recently taken the lead. In my opinion, it is the best
choice for step into parametric world.

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 Why Grasshopper?

Versatility
The possibility to connect with many programs – unlike
others, Grasshopper is not limited to working with one
particular software. It connects with programs such as
Tekla, Archicad or SOFiSTiK. Additionally, thanks to Rhino
Inside it is additionally possible to run Grasshopper
in Revit, AutoCAD, Unity, and more!

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 Why Grasshopper?

Simple system operation

User-friendly interface, easy to operate and learn.
Creating algorithms becomes almost natural, and
choosing components comes intuitively.

Food4Rhino.com 
It is a free, large open source platform for
plugins, extensions and scripts databases

Open discussion forum

Access to a huge discussion forum
whose users are willing to help
tackle challenges in your projects

Easy script creation

No knowledge of programming languages is
required to create scripts. It may be an advantage
at the later stage but it is not necessary to begin
with.

Free license
Grasshopper, or actually Rhinoceros, may be
downloaded in a free 90 days license. DAYS

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 STEP 2: BOOKS AND GUIDES

The adventure with parametric modelling should start with

reading a few books. It is the first and one of the most
important step in your learning. These books will teach you
the basics of the program, the interface, and the functions of
individual components.

However, visual programming is more than learning a new

program - you need to learn parametric thinking as well.

Parametric thinking is a process of thinking focused

on defining problems and solving them in a way that
can be executed by a computer or a machine.

In other words, a way of thinking that does not focus on

looking for problems, but on solving the existing problems
using logic and algorithms. Something to cheer you up: You
don't have to be a programmer to learn parametric thinking!
Undoubtedly, it is a more difficult and time-consuming process
than mastering the program itself, but everyone can master
this way of thinking. Especially a brainiac like you!

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 In the following reads, you will find definitions
presented in an accessible way, explanation of the
components' functions and, above all, examples of
practical use:

First position, absolutely mandatory –  “Grasshopper Primer

V3.3”  – guide published by Modelab. A great book
presenting the entire interface and key components. It
contains both theory and many examples of practical
application of the program.

Download

After going through the 242 pages of the guide, it's time for
a little entertainment. Play a card game called
SudoHopper3D®. Besides learning Grasshopper
components, the game develops the skill of parametric
thinking. Mastering mathematical functions and algorithms
is the first step of learning. Players practice problem
solving skills using logic and basic knowledge of coding.
Highly recommended to everyone.

Download

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 After reviewing the program interface and
components, it is time to proceed to the more
advanced piece – “Essential Mathematics for
Computational Design”. Raja Issa from Robert McNeel and
Associates presents basic mathematical concepts such as
vectors, matrixes and parametric curves in the realm of
parametric modelling.

The book will refresh your knowledge of mathematics and

geometry acquired in high school and college. Just like
“Grasshopper Primer”, it's also a must-read! Also, you can
download Grasshopper files with sample algorithms used in
the book as part of the PDF version. Thus it is not just dry
theory, but also juicy practical examples, through which you
can go step by step and try your hand in the program.

Download

What should you pay special attention to while reading

the above mentioned books?

First of all, learn the lists and data trees. Mastering

PRO TIP creation and manipulation of tree structures is certainly
the key to understanding Grasshopper.

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 Another source worth recommending is a website created by
the Technical University of Delft. Presents condensed
knowledge about Grasshopper and discusses parametrical
issues in a clear and accessible way, adapted to  any level of
the user advancement.

Download

To learn principles of tree structures and how to

maniupulate them you should definitly go
throught book Essential Algorithms and Data
Structures. Rajaa Issa from Robert
McNeel&Associates has prepered also exercise
worth to make.

Download

Not all learning comes out of books!

Everybody knows that putting new knowledge and skills into

practice is one of the best ways to improve learning. Without
applying your programming skills in a few projects, you
PRO TIP wouldn’t even be considered as a parametric design geek.

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 STEP 3: VIDEO TRAINING

Several tutorials and training sessions on

Grasshopper are available online. However, it's
difficult to choose one that's right for you in terms
of advancement level, duration, and content of the
course.

Below you will find some interesting courses to go

through. We will start with the most basic ones to
consilidate the knowledge acquired in previous
steps. Then we will proceed to more difficult
tutorials presenting more advanced parametric
design techniques.

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 Basic tutorials
First of all, a course created by David Rutten, presenting the
absolute foundations of the program. 13 short episodes of the
course cover most of the main components of Grasshopper.

Next to consider is the Basics course at RWTH Aachen. This

time in slightly longer episodes, but exploring the problem of
parametric modelling a bit broader and deeper.

Once you are familiar with the basics of the program, we can
move on to more advanced courses.

Practice
Try to understand the underlying logic
behind described scripts instead of
PRO TIP blindly following it!

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Basic tutorials
Next one is a coherent collection of video tutorials and
definitions on architectural computing. Tutorial series was
developed and produced for Studio AIR at the University of
Melbourne, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning.
Content developed and presented by Gwyllim Jahn and Victor
Bunster

It is good to know software tips and tricks from the very start.
Knowing some of the shortcuts can save a lot of time for
creating your scripts. Knowing small tricks can make life easier
and make your work more fun. I have made a couple of videos
presenting tips and tricks for all Grasshopper users.

Keep Learning the same new things in different

ways

By learning in more than one way, you’re further

PRO TIP cementing the already acquired knowledge.
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 Advanced courses
Nick Senske is a professor at UNC Charlotte running his YT
channel. I recommend going through the course held in the
autumn term 2012 (Fall 2012). The content is presented with
great accuracy, therefore the average time of an episode is
almost one hour. However, it is worth every minute.

MODE LAB, the authors of the book “Grasshopper Premier”, also

run their channel on YouTube. The contents are presented in the
form of lectures with simultaneous building of a script. A large
selection of topics and difficulty levels, so that everyone will
find something for themselves.

If you want to reach a higher level of parametric programming

and learn other programs than Grasshopper, I recommend a
series of lectures called "Introduction to parametric design"
organized at Harvard University in Cambridge. Amazing
opportunity to become an auditor at one of the best and most
prestigious universities in the world! Huge dose of knowledge.

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 STEP 4: UNASSISTED WORK

Once the previous 3 steps are behind you, you can start
creating algorithms on your own and slowly implement
parametric design in your daily work. In fact, you will see the
effects of your learning only when you are left alone, face to
face with the program. Trial and error method works best. But
while running the scripts yourself, at some point you may
come up against a brick wall in programming. Sometimes what
you have learned yourself is not enough and you will need
help. The discussion forum with experts from all over the
world comes to the rescue.

There is always a person on the forum willing to devote their

time and share a piece advice. McNeel forum helps solving
problems which would have taken a few days of your life
otherwise.

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 BUILD YOUR FIRST PROJECT

Start small, but think big. Your project should involve the
skills you currently have in your toolbox. Do not start with
making a 3D model of the Olympic Stadium in Beijing. It is a
cool project, I know, but start with something simpler,
rectangular, and just jump into it. Learn by doing: Make a big
mess, try new ideas, get frustrated, troubleshoot, etc. There
are limitless ways to solve the same programming problem,
which invites your creative approaches. At the beginning for
sure, you will make weird scripts difficult to follow. But keep
making them in the way you understand them. Afterwards, you
will have more time to optimize your algorithms.

Try keep data structure as simple as possible!

At the beginning try to not create complicated data

trees. Focus on the simplification of the tree and
solve your problem for just one case. Afterwards,
you can develop your program in a way that the same
algorithm will solve several cases or work with many
data simultaneously.

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 STEP 5: TEAM WORK

You know what they say - the more the merrier. Collaborating
with other parametric design practitioners can significantly
improve your skills. While working with different people on a
project, you can peep into others' working patterns of creating
components and keyboard shortcuts. I encourage you to
connect (in pain and joy) with other users and establish
cooperation. Going through someone else’s script can be a
good way of learning as well.

Hackatons are design marathons intended in particular for

programmers, but not only. They don't last long and focus on
solving a specific design problem. Hackathons based on
parametric modeling are more and more frequent. It's a
fantastic initiative organized in various forms - sometimes as
collaborative designing, sometimes as contests with the
competition for awards.

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 SUMMARY

This guide aimed to bring together in one place the

proven, free sources of knowledge on
Grasshopper accessible for everyone. If you know
other interesting books or courses for learning
Rhino and Grasshopper, please share!

Send an email to [email protected]

WHAT'S NEXT?

At BIMcorner.com we regularly share tricks, create

tutorials and present case studies on parametric
design and BIM in general. Subscribe to our
Newsletter below and stay tuned!

Author of the guide

Krzysztof Wojsław
BIM and parametric modeling enthusiast.
Professionally absorbed in implementing
and developing model based design
method (zero drawing) with use of
parametric design.

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