Digital Design - Module 02 Semester 1, 2019 Mingjia Shi
944560 Tony Yu Studio5
Critical Reading: Kolerevic B. 2003. Architecture in the Digital Age
Kolerevic described three fundamental types of fabrication techniques in the reading. Outline the three techniques and discuss the potential of Computer Numeric Controlled fabrication with parametric modelling. (150 words max)
According to reading, the three fabrication techniques are Subtractive Fabrication, Additive Fabrication, and Formative Fabrication. Subtractive Fabrication can remove a particular material volume from solids. The milling head has two translational motion axis which is the extension of two-dimensional cutting. By applying drill bits with different shapes, size and milled strategies, it could achieve the various model requirement. Additive Fabrication uses the method by adding material layer-by-layer to achieve incremental forming. It has several branches but all share the same principle which is slicing solid into two-dimensional layers. Formative Fabrication forms model through reshaping and deformation which influenced by mechanical forces, restricting forces, heat, and steam. Compared to the two fabrication techniques above, it is more adjustable and controllable. The Computer Numeric controlled fabrication could provide more detailed information accompanied by parametric modeling. It could help people to manipulate models in reality in an accurate way by digital parametric analysis.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation
Task A started with setting two surfaces in a 150*150*150mm bounding box which shown in the first and second list. The point attraction and offset grid were used to orient difference of grid and get ready for the later morph 3D. Here I explored the WDis of offset grid and tried to manipulate transparency of height which gradually decreases to one corner. By using this command, my latter pattern has more logical variation. Then, in terms of the pattern, I used morph 3D accompanied by dispatch to apply the different pattern, and Gene Pool to achieve one-by-one selection and control of each geometry applied on the surface.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation
Symmetrical surface connected by one corner
Rotating tendency surfaces
Symmetrical surface with corner rotated
Rotatinng unconnected surface
Here I tried to create a different surface with a various angle to figure out one of the best suitable ones. By selecting different points on the edge of the bounding box, and manipulating the location of them by using point on the curve. By testing different surface relation, from rotating with each other to more logical symmetry, I finally locked on the symmetry one which is the first surface above.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation
Using three gometries with one flatten opened surface
Begin to merge 2D pattern with 3D pattern
Using seven geometry with merged 2D pattern with opening
Delete opening on geometries
By applying the morph 3D and dispatch, I set several geometry patterns on each surface. Firstly, I used four geometry and use true and false to arrange the position list by list. Then I tried to create an idea of bionic paneled surface. So I mapped some geometry pattern firstly, in order to create a logical bionic symmetry pattern group. But considering the realizability of the physical model, especially after I made a test model for the third one, I turn to decrease the complexity of the middle spinal liked geometries.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Isometric View
For the final paneled surface, I chose the one with less complicated middle patterns but still could represent my idea of bionic geometry group. Like what I represented on page 5, I used seven patterns in this surface, by rotating and mirroring them to create the symmetrical and logical transparently changed paneling surface.
For the waffle structure, I still tried to apply the bionic concept. The sharp waffle fine is fish-bone liked the structure, which could provide more support for the panel surface, and increase the stability of the whole structure.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE
Panel unit for the larger surface
Laser Cutting
Waffle structure-Fine
In terms of panel unit laser cut, what limits me a lot is some kinds of geometry pattern cannot be enrolled or will have different kinds of the crash after unrolling. Thus, it needs to be fully considered for the feasibility of each geometry. I tried many times to figure out the most suitable way of ptunrollsrf, and I found out that there will only be three kinds of unrolled surface automatically created by rhino, and they influenced by the mesh. The more times a surface meshes, the more complex mesh it will get. So when there cannot get the suitable one, I have to rotate some part of the unroll linework by myself. But this kind of issue only appears when the geometry is too weird or the height of it is too low. So at this stage, I have to step back to refine some particular geometry. For the waffle structure, it goes much easier than panel when setting the final line for laser cut, but it has some issues when manipulating it in grasshopper like the offset loft surface does not show on some level. And it all just because of the data mistakes. The panel check is very important at this stage.
Waffle structure-Contour Panel unit for the smaller surface
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Exploded Isometric
Increase the amount of waffle structure in order to increase more
Due to some patterns have part
connected space with the paneled surface.
of flattening the surface, when dealing with the pattern connection, try to make flatten patterns connect with flattening patterns.
Due to the surface direction has changed, it is hard to show the bionic concept when only use dispatch with the true and false command to group arrange. Thus, the gene pool is used to achieve selection one by one and better control of the pattern.
Waffle structure gradually smaller until vanished is to create a gradually changing space in the middle of waffle. The shadow created by this structure could lead to people to experience light and shadow as a pavilion scale building. The central part is the enclosure and private space with a peaceful atmosphere.
The pattern height is controlled by an offset grid with WDis control. Point attraction is also used here. However, the influence of this attractore and grid is decreased due to the overall aesthetic appearance and the feasibility of the physical model. For the pattern connected with the ground, it could provide more private space compare to the inside larger space and outside public space.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Matrix and Possibilities
Lofts
1.1
1.2
{0,75,150}
{150,150,150}
1.3
{0,150,150}
{75,150,150} {150,0,0}
Attractor / Control Curves
{150,0,0}
{0,75,0}
{0,0,0}
{150,150,0}
{0,75,0} {150,75,0}
{150,75,0}
Symmetrical surface with corner
Paneling Grid & Attractor Point
2.2
{75,0,0}
{75,0,0}
{150,0,0}
2.1
Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z)
{150,0,150}
{150,75,0}
Rotatinng unconnected surfacerotated
{0,0,0}
{0,0,150}
{150,0,150}
{150,75,0}
{45,0,0}
{75,150,150} {0,0,150}
{150,75,150}
{75,0,150}
{0,0,0}
Key
1.4 {75,150,150}
Rotating tendency surfaces rotated
2.3
Symmetrical surface connected by one
Attractor / Control Curves
2.4
Grid Points Offset Grid Points
Offset grid grow higher from top to the bottom
Paneling
3.1
Using three gometries with one flatten opened surface
One side of offset grid grow from central to edge
3.2
Begin to merge 2D pattern with 3D pattern
One side of offset grid grow from bottom to top
3.3
Using seven geometry with merged 2D pattern with opening
Offset grid grow from top to bottom with lower height
3.4
Delete opening on geometries
Geometries above are used in the final paneled surface. By rotating and mirroring some of them, the bionic paneled surface is represented. In order to combine 2D and 3D model together, I did not separate them but merge them together. Thus, some geometries have part 2D surface and part 3D surface. And when they connected together, the 2D surface will construct a linear pattern to emphasize the vertical change.
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The matrix is divided into three sections, loft surface, attraction grids & offset grids and paneled surface. During exploring different articulations of two loft surfaces, the point is all chosen the middle point or end point of the bounding box. Even though the point on curve command can be used to select any point on any location, but in order to show the bionic concept, symmetry is employed more at this very beginning stage. 1.4 was chosen as the base surface. Then at the stage of attraction grid & offset grid, point attraction is used to influence the surface grid. The grid of surface did not follow the horizontal 5*5 grid but changed into 9 vertical lists. By setting two points at the corner, the area of the grid grows bigger from the center to edge in order to show an expanding tendency of the paneled surface. The offset grid still followed the rule of symmetry. But there is a transformation from the bottom to the top with the most observable transformation on the middle list. 2.4 was chosen as the point grids. During exploring which kind of pattern could express the concept, I found just only use one or two does not achieve what required. Thus, by setting seven basic geometry which has part connected by flatten the surface, then use dispatch and gene pool to arrange, the concept could be achieved better. 3.4 is the final paneled surface.
SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Photography of Model & Scale exploration
During the scale exploring, the pavilion scale is the most suitable one. The gradually smaller waffle horizontal contour could become steps and seats for people to stay, climb and explore.
Also, the surface with three corners connected to the ground has a more smooth slope and less height change. Thus, it could become an entertainment space for people to climb or sitting especially for young Kids.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Photography of Model & Scale exploration
The interesting part of my model is the shadow created by the six geometry on the flanks. With half opened and half closed geometry, it could provide a contrast between the space and surface. The symmetrical appearance of bionic concept has an expanding tendency. The patterns have a height increasing tendency from the top connected point to the bottom. Also, the symmetrical shadow created by light and model is another interesting part which determines the perspective of the photos.
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SOLID AND VOID
Visual Scripting of Parametric Model Isosurface of Milipede command is used here as the fundamental cube which would boolean difference with other more logical geometry groups later. The reason for having this kind of curved surface is it would create a curved transformation between the solid surface and soft void inside of it.
The ordinary 3*3*3 cellulate was replaced by Voronoi 3D under the control of population3D. The cell group created by this command is more easy to make the geometry unit to follow a particular routine.
Use list item to select some points of pop3D point grid, then create a curve by these points. By not just directly orienting the geometry into Use slides of thin cuboid grow along with a spiral routine and gradually smaller from the cen-
grids, making geometry growing along the curve created by some
ter to end. This is a more logical method of dealing with the curved surface compared with
points in the grid has more control and variation.
the isosurface. It could be better controlled and does correspond with the random surface. A contrast between the random and logic could be approved by this geometry.
Different command and strategies are used in this process. In terms of the cube grid, instead of setting cube grid directly I explored isosurface in millipede to get the connected surface which might create variable void change. Then use them as the base for the later boolean difference. The 3*3*3 point grids are replaced by populate 3D with 27 points, and the cellulate 3d cells are replaced by Voronoi 3d as the result of using pop3D in order to get the bionic cell connection.
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SOLID AND VOID Boolean Creation
Isosurface with less connections
Geometry with simple spiral following all the grid points
Isosurface with more connections
Isosurface with the most connections
Cuboid slides growing along a spiral routine following particular lines
Isosurface with the middle connections
Use line within cube to arrange cell
At the beginning stage, I tried to explore different isosurface and what outcome it will result in after boolean difference with 150*150*150 bounding box. Then I found the more complex surface I used to cut, the more interesting void and solid relation I would get. But it follows by harder for the computer to operate the surface. Thus for the final surface, I choose the one with the middle complex surface relation. Then I began to figure out which kind of geometry could correspond with the random surface created by isosurface. After tried many methods which include adding skeleton as the outline of each Voronoi cell to emphasize the geometry concept in order to contrast with curve surface which failed, at last, I figured out by setting logical changing slides as a single unit could achieve the concept the best.
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SOLID AND VOID Isometric Section view1
Because a grid number of voids are created inside of the cube, and the near enclosure, as well as tunnel, could increase the decibel of voice, people who get in this space could experience interesting voice exchange and voice circulation from void to void. When it is raining, the sound of rain could also be increased by these tunnels which could provide people a peaceful space.
The curved solid surface created by isosurface which is more random but can create more relation between space and void. This kind of curved surface could lead water flowing down to become stream or little falling water which would increase the interesting feeling of this solid and void as a large pavilion size
Geometry which constituted by slides growing along with a spiral routine. Use the scale to control the size of these groups by setting points and calculate the distance between the geometry and point. Because isosurface has a connection through each part of
Larger geometry could create a large gathering space with
it and acts as a whole surface, when the boolean difference
the opening to the outside. While small geometry could cre-
from the cube, some special void could be created. This kind
ate more private space for people to a short stay.
of void could be regarded as the corridor through the pavilion with the less curved ground surface which allow people to have a fun experience in it. Some of them with curved surface unable for people to climb up could also be regarded as an opening on the solid which could lead people’s view from one void to another.
As the reason for the geometry is step by step, the linear surface created by it could be regarded as stairs for people to Isometric Section Scale 1:2 @A4 0
20
40
explore and stepping up to get a higher level of the space.
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SOLID AND VOID Isometric section view2
The two section shown here is cut by different direction but both from corner to corner with 45 degree from cube surface. By using the middle complexity isosurface as the base, added with spiral geometry to boolean difference, it resulted in better interaction between natural surface and logical rational surface. This could show the concept of showing the contrast between human society and nature better than using other geometries to boolean.
The base surface represented as curved tendency could be regarded as a natural representation like the structure of karst cave. The spiral boolean geometry could be regarded as the symbol of human with a shape similar to the head of the drill carriage. The crash between both of them represents a concept of leading people to get connected with nature and rethinking the relation with nature.
The feature of the isosurface is having a connection through all the surface and act as a whole surface.
Cuboid slides grow along with a spiral line group as one geometry unit used as the boolean geometry.
Isometric Section Scale 1:2 @A4 0
20
40
60
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Thus, after boolean difference, the cube appeared many tunnel voids connected with the large opening on the outside surface which could address the idea of porosity. After booleaned the geometry group, more voids created on the base of isosurface but on a larger scale of space. Thus the permeability of the final model from the large smooth opening on the outside surface to the small but rational geometrical opening inside is represented. Both the idea of porosity and permeability in this solid and void would influence the visual and auditory circulation through the pavilion scaled model.
SOLID AND VOID
Isometric Iteration & Explorded Isometric
During the processing of getting the 3D printing part, several boolean is made in order to figure out the most suitable one which could merge the two surfaces together and represent the concept of contrast between human and nature.
Explored isometric to show the location of 50*50*50 cube and how it is boolean intersection from the original large cube.
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SOLID AND VOID
Isometric view of 50*50*50 part The surface inside the pavilion has two kinds of surface contract between smooth natural isosurface and rational linear surface.
The isosurface here could be regarded as a shelter and can provide a half enclosure void for people who staying under it.
High linear tight space is generated here as the result of part of the boolean geometry. It is closer than the other part of the pavilion, and the vertical element is a linear slide wall. Thus, an echo area will appear here
Stairs generated here is for people to sit and climb
which allow people to have more sensual pleasures
up. This allows different users through different ages
not just visual but also auditory experience.
and adds interesting circulation as it is connected with a smooth slight slope.
As a small scale pavilion, the threshold here could only be available for one to two people to get through.
A slight slope is created by isosurface could be used as an entertainment space which Isometric Section Scale 2:1 @A4
lead people from outside public space gradually into the inside private void. Also, the
0
water will gather here when and after rain, and it will naturally generate a small stream
5
10
15mm
flowing down to the ground.
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SOLID AND VOID Matrix and Possibilities
Isosurafce base
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Key Outsidestructural line Hidden structural line
{150,0,0}
Geometry strategies
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
Outside structural line Hidden structrual line
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Task B Matrix The matrix used here shows the combination between the isosurface base and boolean geometry. The top level is four base isosurface and the left list is the three geometry groups which are used to experiment. Then for each cube, it shows the result of the isosurface base on its list boolean difference with the geometry on its level. 12 kinds of boolean solid and void are created. At last, 4.4 chooses to be the final one as the reason for good interaction between the two surfaces and concept.
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SOLID AND VOID
3D printed boolean iterations
3D boolean element1
3D boolean element 2
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3D boolean element 3
SOLID AND VOID Photography of Model
The 3D printed parts show one part of my large 150*150*150 pavilion, but it is also a pavilion scale. People can sit on the steps or getting through from the triangular threshold at the edge of the cube. The part interested me a lot is the linear structure created by boolean geometry and how it reflects with the smooth surface. The shadow created by the model shows the spatial relation between surfaces. Because of trying to achieve a transformation from the skylight opening to the fundamental base element, isosurface is used here. Then, it has light in the center and gradually grows into shadow.
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SOLID AND VOID
Photograph of Model & Scale exploration
Middle pavilion scale
Middle pavilion scale
Smaller pavilion scale
Smallest pavilion scale
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Appendix
Process of Panelled surface
Step1. Setting the basic surface by selecting the point on the bounding box edge, then connect into line. Then loft the lines into surfaces. By selecting the different point on the bounding box edge, the various direction of the surface will appear. Change the surface direction from horizontal to vertical in order to get two reflective surfaces with one corner connected.
Step 2. Using point attraction and offset grid to great the base of the pattern on the surface and managing the height of the pattern with a variation from the top to the bottom. Exploring the WDis command in offset curve, more logical transformation could be seen.
Step3. Starting to set geometry by setting in rhino firstly. Creating symmetrical and mirror pattern in order to show the bionic concept. Using dispatch to arrange different geometries with different locations.
Step4. Finally starting to unroll surfaces. Use meshtonurb command to make mesh to surfaces. Then use ptunrollsrf to unroll surface. If the result does not suit for model making, then it should be corrected in rhino.
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Appendix
Process of exploring different pattern
Step 1. Using three geometries with dispatch only managing list by list.
Step 2. exploring the possibility of setting openings on the pattern to show the bionic paneled surface.
Step 3. Decreasing some of the openings and make a more complex pattern to experiment.
Step 4. After making a test print model, figure out that too complex model is impossible to make in reality. Thus, change the middle part to be more feasible but could still show the concept.
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Appendix
Process of waffle structure & Waffle scripting
Step 1. Setting surface for the waffle structure in the boundingbox.
Step 2. By setting gride on surface, then deconstruction brep to show the linwork. Preparing for the later loft.
Step 3. Using the offset curve to create double lines then loft them together to become contour and surface fine.
Step 4. Setting plan on each point of the surface grid, then setting little lines and extrude them to trim the connection.
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Appendix
Process of waffle model making
Step 1. Getting ready for the laser cut waffle structure. Use water to clean them up.
Step 2. Using a very little amount of glue to connect and lock contour with the fine.
Step 3. Try to make all the structure stable and clean the trace of glue.
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Appendix
Process of panelled surface model making
Step 1. Collecting laser cut of paneled surface and arrange them.
Step 3. Glue surface firstly then connect them with waffle later.
Step 2. Use PVA to glue themselves and connect with other units.
Step 4. Pay attention to deal with the connecting tabs between units.
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Step 5. Start to glue with waffle.
Appendix
Process of Boolean & Exploration of geometry
Step 1. Setting voronoi 3d cell to replace
Step 2. Using isosurface as the base cube to
Step 4. Using exoskeleton to develop a skeleton outside of the geometry unit. But when boolean back, the result did not show really good. Thus abandoned.
Step 3. Try to explore the possibility of geometry focus on making skeleton
Step 5. Trying a new method in order to input the concept of the rational surface.
Step 7. Finally boolean isosurface base with new geometry together. And using small cube to boolean intersection out.
Step 6. By using cull pattern to select Voronoi cell along curves, orient boolean geometry on it.
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Appendix
Makerbot interface
Selecting three parts to show process and ready for 3D prining.
Print more detailed for the final cube.
Total print time is 8h10min for three element using Digital design supporting setting.
Total print time is 2h11min for three element using Digital design supporting setting.
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