Grasshopper is a graphical algorithm editor integrated within Rhino's 3D modelling tools. It requires no knowledge of programming or scripting, allowing designers to use generative algorithms within Rhino. The following information illustrates the key things learnt and the process undertaken. 

01 - Two curves were created in rhino and set in grasshopper. The Curve component acts as a single curve in the work space. The two curves were divided into segements by points using the DivideCurve component. Each point on the curve was connected using the Line component. 

02 - Using the Biarc component arcs were created at each point on the two curves. The biarc component is something that cannot be done using any Rhino command. It creates 2 arcs that are tangent at the centre  and constrained by a start and end tangent. Here the component takes two points (start and end) and a ratio. The ratio is a number between 0 and 1 that controls where 1 arc starts and the other ends. 0.5 generally gives the best results. The output gives arc 1 and 2 and the poly-curve which joins the two. 

03 - A surface was created using the arcs through the use of the Loft component. 

04 - A Domain2 and 2 Integer components were added to the grasshopper file along with Isotrim to subdivide the lofted surface into sub-surfaces.

05 - A Brep command can be set to any complex geometry and imports that geometry into grasshopper. A bounding box was created using the BoundingBox component. The Morph component was then used to deploy the reference component within the surface box.  

06 - This separate file is an example of how to make an 'attractor' within Grasshopper. A rectangular grid of circles was created using the RectangularGrid, Circle and Radial commands. An attractor point was created in Rhino and set using the Point command in Grasshopper. A Circle was created on the point and a number slider was use to control its size. The Distance component was added to calculate the distance of the attractor circle and the circle applied to the grid. The Minimum component allows us to compare the list of distances to the radius of the attractor circle. The circles on the grid were then Scaled in relation to their distance to the attractor. 

Advanced Display Properties

• Change viewport propoerties - Customise camera lens and change to wide angle (best for exterior and interior views).
• Make a copy of the render mode through display modes.
• Turn the background black in the viewport settings.
• Turn the grid off.
• Set the external geometry to wireframe. In the 'Surface Edge Settings' set the Edge colour to white. Explode the geometry. Select only the internal surfaces group them and hide them. Group the external geometry left visible. Use the 'SetObjectDisplayMode' command set the display to wireframe.
• Apply environment maps for dramatic effects.

Rhino for Visualisation (Vray)

• Open the Vray toolbar.
• Use the options panel to set the physical camera and exposure settings. Use the environment controls to adjust GI(skylight) and reflection/refraction settings.
• Adjust the output settings to set the size of the render.
• Indirect illumination - set the primary and secondary bounce settings for Vray to calculate even lighting for soft shadows and illumination.
• You can use Vray express tools to create a seamless backdrop within the render.
• Texture mapping can be applied to lighting and various lights are available from light fittings manufacturers.