AC-Grasshopper Connection User Guide

GrasshopperARCHICAD
LiveConnection1.6
UserGuide
forARCHICAD20
lastupdatedonAugust15,2016
GRAPHISOFT
VisittheGRAPHISOFTwebsiteatwww.graphisoft.comforlocaldistributorandproduct
availabilityinformation.
GrasshopperARCHICADLiveConnection
Copyright2016byGRAPHISOFT,allrightsreserved.Reproduction,paraphrasingortranslation
withoutexpresspriorwrittenpermissionisstrictlyprohibited.
Trademarks
ARCHICADisaregisteredtrademarkofGRAPHISOFT.
RhinocerosandGrasshopperareregisteredtrademarksofRobertMcNeel&Associates.
Allothertrademarksarethepropertyoftheirrespectiveholders.
Thistoolisavailablefree,fromGRAPHISOFTonly.Distributionofthistoolthroughanyother
channelisprohibited.
Contents
Contents
Introduction ______________________________________________________5
GettingStarted ____________________________________________________7
ARCHICADNodes _________________________________________________11
ARCHICADParameterNodes ......................................................13
TheSynchronizeParameter .......................................................17
TheSettingsParameterandSettingsNodes ..........................................18
ThePropertySettingsNode(ControllingMetadata) ...................................20
ARCHICADDocumentComponents.................................................23
ARCHICADDesignComponents ....................................................26
ARCHICADReshapeComponents ...................................................38
ARCHICADInputNodes ...........................................................39
WorkflowExamples _______________________________________________44
ImportantNotes __________________________________________________50
GrasshopperARCHICADLiveConnectionUserGuide
Contents
Introduction
Introduction
WhatisGrasshopper?
Grasshopper(GH)isanodebasedalgorithmeditorintegratedwithRhinomodelingtools.
Algorithmsareusedtodescribelogicalrelationshipsamongdesignparametersthatdefinethe
parametricmodel.Throughalgorithms,theuserisabletoestablishasetofrulesthatdefinethe
sequenceofoperations,thusaidingthedesignprocess.
WhatisthepurposeoftheGrasshopperARCHICADLiveConnection
tool?
TheGrasshopperARCHICADLiveConnectionoffersauniquedesignworkflow,usingalgorithms,
whichhelpsyouexplorealargenumberofdesignvariationsandcreateandfinetunebuilding
detailsandstructureswithoutexchangingfiles.
Keyfeaturesandbenefits
TranslatesimplegeometrycreatedinRhinointoBIMconstructionelements
Bidirectionalconnectionnoneedtoexport/importfilefordataexchange
Dynamic(live)connectionwhileediting
DirectandsimultaneousgraphicalfeedbackfrombothRhinoandARCHICAD
Supportedworkflows
ThissetoftoolsenablesRhino/Grasshopper(GH)andARCHICAD(AC)tocommunicatedirectly.
DesignersworkingineitherRhino/GrasshopperorARCHICADcanutilizeitsfunctionalitytotheir
advantage.Userscanstartthedesignprocessineitherworkenvironment(ACorRHorGH).In
eachcase,theuserwillselectanoriginalsetofreferencegeometriestobemanipulatedvia
Grasshopper,orcreateitfromscratchinGrasshopper.
Startwithpure3Dgeometryworkflow:Designersstartwiththedesigngeometryusing
RhinoandGrasshopper.WiththeGHACConnectiontool,theycandynamicallygeneratea
BIMmodelconsistingofARCHICADconstructionelements,andupdatetheresultingBIM
modeldirectlyfromGrasshopper.
Startwithintelligentbuildingelementsworkflow:Designersstartwiththedesignin
ARCHICADandextendtheirACtoolboxwithalgorithmicdesignmethodsappliedtoAC
elements.Inthisworkflow,inputreferencegeometries(referencepoints,curvesandother
parameters)aretakendirectlyfromARCHICADandusedinGrasshopper,withoutinteraction
inRhino.
Introduction
Scopeofthemanual
ThismanualisintendedtoexplainonlytheaddedfunctionalityofcreatingARCHICADelements
fromGrasshopper.ThegeneraldescriptionoffunctionalityofARCHICAD,GrasshopperorRhino
isnotinthescopeofthismanual.Toacquirethenecessarybasicknowledgeinthese
applications,pleasevisitthefollowingsites.
GrasshopperTrainingCenter:http://www.grasshopper3d.com/page/tutorials1
ARCHICADTrainingMaterials:http://www.graphisoft.com/learning/training_materials/
Rhinoceros3DLearningCenter:http://www.rhino3d.com/learn
GettingStarted
GettingStarted
InstallAddOns
ToachieveaconnectionbetweentheARCHICADandGrasshopperapplications,youmustinstall
aGRAPHISOFTextension:theGrasshopperARCHICADLiveConnection.
Important:ARCHICADGrasshopperConnectionisavailableforAC18,19and20.Youshouldinstall
theinstaller(MSIfile)whichcorrespondstoyourversionofARCHICAD.
Beforeinstallingit,makesurethatthelatestversionofRhinoceros(Version5SR1164bit)and
ARCHICAD(version18,19,or20)arebothinstalledonyourcomputer.
TolaunchtheSetupWizardoftheConnectionaddon,doubleclickonits.MSIfileandgo
throughthestepsasshownonthesetupscreens.
Note:ARCHICADGrasshopperConnectiononlyworkswiththe64bitversionofRhino5.
LaunchtheApplications
1. LaunchARCHICAD.
2. LaunchRhinoceros3D(Rhino).
GettingStarted
3. InRhino,typethewordGrasshopperintotheRhinoCommandLineandhitENTERto
launchGrasshopper.
Notes:
Onceallthreeapplicationsarerunning,itisrecommendedtoarrangethewindowssothattheydo
notoverlap.(Foreaseofuse,usemultiplescreens).
To receive notifications and information from the addons, turn on the Status bar palette in
ARCHICAD(Window>Palettes>Statusbar).
ItisrecommendedtosetthesameUnitsinbothRhinoandARCHICAD.Tosetunits:
InRhino:File>Properties>ModelUnits
InARCHICAD:Options>ProjectPreferences>Dimensions
StarttheConnection
InARCHICAD,gotoDesign>DesignExtras>GrasshopperConnection.
GettingStarted
AsmallfloatingpaletteappearswiththeStartConnectionbuttononit.Clicktostartthe
connection.
GrasshopperPaletteinARCHICAD
ToopentheGrasshopperpaletteinARCHICAD,gotoDesign>DesignExtras>Grasshopper
Connection.
Note:LikeanyotherpaletteinARCHICAD,theGrasshopperpaletteisalsoavailablefromWindow>
Palettes.
Thepalettecontains3buttons:
Start/BreakConnection:Clicktoturnon/turnofftheconnection
betweenGrasshopperandARCHICAD.
SendChanges:UpdatesGrasshopperaboutchangesmadein
ARCHICAD.ThisbuttonisactiveonlywhenyouareeditinganARCHICAD
elementreferredtobytheGrasshoppercodeviaaParameterNode(see
theParameterNodessectionbelow).
SelectinGH:InGrasshopper,selectsthenodeswhichgeneratedthe
elementscurrentlyselectedinARCHICAD.ThisbuttonisactiveonlyifthecurrentARCHICAD
selectionincludesatleastoneelementgeneratedbytheGrasshoppercode.
Notes:
If the green icon is spinning, this indicates that the connection with Grasshopper is live, and
ARCHICADisnowreadytosendandreceiveinformation.
The palette also tells you which currently opened Grasshopper document is connected to
ARCHICAD.
GettingStarted
NewARCHICADTabinGrasshopper
InGrasshopper,anewARCHICADtabhasappearedonGrasshopper'stabbar.Theiconsonthis
tabresemblethoseofARCHICADtools;theyrepresentcomponents,parametersandinput
nodes.
NewCommandinGrasshoppersFilemenu
InGrasshopper,anewcommandappearsintheFilemenu:ConnectDocumenttoARCHICAD.
Thiscommandopensadialogbox:amongthecurrentlyopenGrasshopperfiles,choosetheone
thatshouldcommunicatewithARCHICAD.
10
ARCHICADNodes
ARCHICADNodes
TheARCHICADtabpageinGrasshoppercontainsparameternodes,inputnodesandcomponent
nodes.Theparametersstoregeometricinformation;theinputnodesprovideaccesstocertain
ARCHICADvaluesets;thecomponentsperformtheoperationsthatgeneratedata.
ParameternodesrefertopointcoordinatesorexistinggeometryintheARCHICAD
project.UsingGrasshoppercomponents,thereferencedgeometrycanbe
transformedintheusualway,andcanalsobeusedastheinitialinputforGHcode.
Currently,theARCHICADtabcontainsthreeParameternodes:2DCurve,PointandSpline.
DesignComponentsgeneratenative3DelementsinARCHICAD:
Currently,thereare16DesignComponentsavailable:Beam,Column,
CurtainWall,CurtainWallBoundary,CurtainWallSegment,Door,
Mesh,Morph,Chair,Roof,ShellExtruded,ShellRevolved,Shell
Ruled,Slab,Wall,Window.
Atpresent,Grasshoppercomponentscannotinterprettheoutput
fromARCHICADcomponents.Forthisreason,Grasshopperoperations(suchastheMove
component)cannotbecarriedoutonthegeometrygeneratedbytheACcomponents.Thus,the
ACcomponentscanbeplaceddownstreamfromtheGHnodes,buttheGrasshopperdefinition
endsthere.
DocumentComponentsgeneratenative2Delementsina2Dviewpointofthe
ARCHICADprojectconnectedtotheGHcode.
Inthisversionoftheaddon,therearethreeDocumentComponentsavailable:
the2DCurve,FillandSpline.
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ARCHICADNodes
SettingsComponentsareavailableforeachDesignand
Documentcomponent.TheSettingscomponentdefinesthe
parametersoftheelementgeneratedinARCHICAD.Attacha
SettingscomponenttotheSettingsinputparameterofthe
datageneratingcomponent.
ReshapeComponentscanmodifyelementsproducedbysome
oftheARCHICADComponents(Fill,SlabandRoofComponent).Currentlythereare
twoReshapecomponents:theSubtractPolygonandtheAddPolygon.
Inputnodes:Aninputnodestoresalistofvaluesreceivedfrom
ARCHICAD.Theavailablevaluesarecontinuouslyrefreshed,sothat
theyalwayscorrespondtothesetofvaluescontainedinARCHICAD.
Atpresent,eleveninputnodesareavailable:2DViewpoint,
Composite,FillPattern,LineType,Profile,Surface,BuildingMaterial,
Favorite,Layer,PenandStoryPlane.
PlaceARCHICADNodes
TheARCHICAD(AC)nodesavailableonGrasshoppersARCHICADtabworkthesamewayas
othercomponentsorparametersinGrasshopper.Usethefamiliarmethodstoplacethemonthe
Grasshoppercanvas.Afterthenecessaryinputparametersarereceived,apreviewis
immediatelyvisibleintheRhinowindow.
12
ARCHICADNodes
ARCHICADParameterNodes
TheACParameternodesrefertopointsorexistingelementsintheARCHICADproject.AC
ParameternodesareanintegralpartoftheGrasshoppercode,becausetheGrasshoppercode
recognizesthemasGeometrytypeinputdata.
ACPointParameterNode
LikeGrasshoppersPointparameter,theARCHICADPoint
parameter(ACPoint)canstore3Dpointdata.Thisdatais
definedinARCHICAD,notinRhino.TheACPointparameter
canreferenceasingleormultiple3Dpoints.
Settingonepoint:
1. InGrasshopper,rightclickonthecenteroftheACPoint.
2. SelectSetOnePointinthecontextmenu.(TheRhino
andGHwindowsclose.InARCHICAD,noticethatthe
StatusBardisplaysthemessage:Clickapoint.)
3. ClickintheARCHICADwindowtodefinetheoriginofthe
ACPoint.(Ifthepointisselectedsuccessfully,theRhino
andGHwindowsappearagain,andtheparameternode
turnsfromyellowtogray,toindicatethatitisnotempty.)
4. NowcontinueworkingasneededinARCHICAD,orreturn
toGrasshopper.
Note:ThevaluestoredintheparameternodecanberedefinedatanytimeusingtheSetOnePoint
orSetMultiplePointscommands.
Settingmultiplepoints:
1.
2.
3.
4.
InGrasshopper,rightclickonthecenteroftheACPoint.
SelectSetMultiplePointsinthecontextmenu.
ClickseveraltimesintheARCHICADwindowtodefineacollectionofpoints.
PressESCAPEonthekeyboardtoexitinputmode.
13
ARCHICADNodes
Note: The AC Point component converts a point defined in ARCHICAD into a Grasshopper Point
parameter.Thus,theACPointparameternodecanbeassignedtoanyGHcomponentthatrequiresa
GHPointtypeinput.
TodefinetheoriginofanACPoint,youcanalsoclickonanyhotspotofaplacedARCHICAD
element.Inthiscase,theACPointwillremainassociatedtoitsparentelementinARCHICAD.
Forexample:
1. InGrasshopper,placetwoACPointparameternodes.
2. Todefinetheirorigins,gotoARCHICADandclicktheendpointsofanalreadyplacedBeam
element.
3. InARCHICAD,movetheBeamtoanewposition.
4. ClicktheSendChangesbuttonontheGrasshopperConnectionPalette:thecoordinates
storedintheACPointparametersaremodifiedtomatchtheBeamsnewposition.
2DCurveParameterNode
2DCurveParametercanreferenceoneormore2DelementsdrawninARCHICADwiththeLine,
PolylineorCircleTool.
Note:Youcanusethe2DCurveparametertoreferenceanyPolylineorCircleelementdrawnina2D
ARCHICADViewpoint.However,inGrasshopper,thenewplanarshapewillalwaysbedrawnintheXY
plane.
ReferencingapolylineinARCHICAD:
1. DrawapolylineinARCHICADwiththePolylineTool.
2. InGrasshopper,placeanAC2DCurveparameterandrightclickonitscenter.
3. SelectSetOne2DCurvefromthecontextmenu.(TheRhinoandGHwindowsclose.In
ARCHICAD,noticethattheStatusBardisplaysthemessage:Clickanelement.)
Note:IfanyARCHICADelementsareselectedatthetimeyouissuetheSetOne2DCurvecommand,
andifthesetofselectedelementsincludesoneelementdrawnwiththePolyline/Line/CircleTool,then
the parameter is automatically defined according to the selected element, and no further element
selection is needed. If the selection does not include a Polyline/Line/Circle element, or if there are
multipleselectedPolylines/Lines/Circles,thentheprogramwilldeselecttheelements,andpromptyou
toselectelementsinARCHICAD.
14
ARCHICADNodes
4. ClickonthepreviouslydrawnpolylineintheARCHICADwindow.The2DCurveparameteris
nowreferencingtheselectedARCHICADelement.
The2DCurveparameterremainsassociativetoitsparentelementinARCHICAD.Afterediting
thereferencedpolylineinARCHICAD,presstheSendChangesbuttonontheGrasshopper
ConnectionPalettetoupdatetheinformationstoredinthe2DCurveparameter.
Note:TheAC2DCurveparameteriscompatiblewiththeGHCurveparameter.Thus,itcanbeusedas
theinputforanyGHcomponentthatacceptstheGHcurvetypeasaninput.
Naturally,youcanusethe2DCurveparametertoreferencemultipleARCHICADPolyline,Lineor
Circleelements.Todothis,usetheSetMultiple2DCurvescommandfromthecontextmenu.
Note: If any ARCHICAD elements are selected at the time you issue the Set Multiple 2D Curves
command,andifthesetofselectedelementsincludesatleastoneelementdrawnwiththePolyline,
CircleorLineTool,thentheparameterisautomaticallydefinedaccordingtotheselectedelement,and
nofurtherelementselectionisneeded.
SplineParameterNode
Worksexactlylikethe2DCurveParameternode,butonlystoreselementscreatedwiththe
ARCHICADSplineTool.
ModifyInformationStoredbyParameterNodes
ThecontentofparameternodesinARCHICADcanberedefined,deletedorupdatedatanytime.
Toredefinethestoredvalue,usetheSetOnePointorSetMultiplePointscommandsfrom
thecontextmenu.
Tocleartheparametervaluesentirely,usetheClearValuescommandfromthecontext
menu.
15
ARCHICADNodes
16
Informationstoredbytheparameternodeisnotupdatedautomaticallyifthereferenced
elementhasbeenchangedinARCHICAD.ToupdatetheGHcodewithchangesmadein
ARCHICAD,clickSendChangesonARCHICADsGrasshopperpalette.
ARCHICADNodes
TheSynchronizeParameter
AllACComponentsexceptSettingsNodesincludeSynchronizeasaninputparameter.Itisa
BooleantypeparameterwhichenablescomponentstocommunicatewithARCHICAD.Ifa
componentsSynchronizeparameterissettobeTRUE,changesmadetothatcomponentwillbe
synchronizedwithARCHICADautomatically.
Note:SynchronizationworksonlyifARCHICADsGrasshopperConnectionison:thatis,thegreenicon
ontheGrasshopperConnectionPaletteisspinning.
17
ARCHICADNodes
TheSettingsParameterandSettingsNodes
EachDocumentandDesignComponent(whichgeneratenewelementsinARCHICAD)includesa
Settingsinputparameter.UsetheSettingscomponenttodefinetheparametersandattributesof
thenewARCHICADelement.YoucanattachtwotypesofnodestotheSettingsinputparameter:
IfyouwillcontrolallofthenewelementsparametersfromGrasshopper,attachtheFavorite
InputNodetotheSettingsinputparameter(seeInputNodeformoreinformation).
IfyouwanttocontrolonlycertainofthenewelementsparametersfromGrasshopper,then
attachtheSettingsnode(WallSettings,SlabSettings,etc.)thatcorrespondstothetypeof
generatedelementtotheSettingsinputparameter.
ItisnotnecessarytousetheSettingsinputparameter.Inthiscase,thenewlygeneratedelement
willusethecurrentDefaultSettingsofitscorrespondingtoolinARCHICAD.
EachARCHICADelementtypehasaSettingsNode.Eachinputparameterontheleftofthe
SettingsNodecorrespondstoaparameterintheARCHICADtoolsettingsdialogbox(although
therearefewerparametersintheSettingsNode).ItisnotnecessarytodefineanyoftheSettings
NodeinputparametersinGrasshopper.IfanyparameterisleftemptyinGrasshopper,the
generatedARCHICADelementwillusethedefaultvalueofthecorrespondingdefaultTool
Settingsdialogbox.
TherightsideoftheSettingsnodehasasingleoutputparameter,whichtransferstheinputdata
totheDesignorDocumentcomponent.
Formostelementtypes,theSettingsNodehasafixedsetofinputparameters.However,library
parts(GDLbasedWindows,Doors,Objects,etc.)haveauserdefinedsetofinputparameters
chosenfromtheparametersavailableinthelibrarypartsGDLdefinition.
Note: Geometric Description Language (GDL) is the programming language of ARCHICAD library
parts.Theselibraryparts,withfileformatGSM,canbeloadedintoyourARCHICADprojectthrough
theLibraryManager.Whenyouopenanewprojectwithadefaulttemplate,astandardARCHICAD
Libraryisautomaticallyloaded.
InmanySettingsNodes,youcanchangethetypeofthegeneratedelement,usingacontext
menucommand.Asaresult,thesetofinputparametersavailabletotheSettingsNodewill
change(thatis,newparametersappearontheleftsideofthenode,andothersareremoved).
Anyupstreamnodesthatwereformerlyconnectedtoaremovedparameterwillbe
disconnected.Disconnectingnodesisnotundoable.Therefore,theprogramdisplaysawarning
18
ARCHICADNodes
whenyouissueacommandthatwillremoveaninputparameter.Toavoiddisconnectingnodes,
youcanpressCancel.
19
ARCHICADNodes
ThePropertySettingsNode(Controlling
Metadata)
ThePropertySettingsNodeprovidesaccesstotheElementPropertiesdefinedforARCHICAD
constructionelements.Withthisnode,itispossibletodefineoroverwritetheseARCHICAD
propertyvaluesinGrasshopper.
Note:UseARCHICADPropertiestoaddoptionaldescriptivedatatoabuildingelement.InARCHICAD,
youcanlistandmanagethemintheInteractiveSchedule,displaytheminLabels,ZoneStamps,Door/
WindowMarkers,importandexportthemamongapplicationsortospreadsheets.UsetheProperty
Manager (Options > Property Manager) to create and delete properties and customize their
availability.EachelementsPropertiesareshownintheCategoriesandPropertiespanelofElement
Settings.
Whenfirstplaced,thePropertySettingsnodehasnoparameters.Toselectproperties,use
SelectARCHICADPropertiesfromthecomponentscontextmenu.Intheappearingdialog,first
chooseanElementClassification:thiswilldeterminewhichPropertiescanbeassignedtothe
generatedelement.
Note: Element Classification is used to precisely define the function of an element, so that the
ARCHICADmodelisinterpretedaccuratelywhenexchangingdatawithotherapplications,e.g.using
theIFCstandard.Eachelementhasadefaultclassificationthatcorrespondstothetooltype(e.g.an
elementcreatedwiththeSlabtoolhasadefaultclassificationofSlab),butthiscanbeoverriddenin
ARCHICADontheCategoriesandPropertiespanelofElementSettings.
OncetheElementClassificationisdefined,thedialoglistsonlythosePropertiesthatare
availableforassignment.ChecktheboxofthePropertiesyouwishtoassign,thenclickSelect.
20
ARCHICADNodes
TheselectedPropertiesnowappearasnewinputparametersontheleftsideoftheProperty
Settingsnode.
AnARCHICADPropertyhasoneofsixpossibleDataTypes:
General:Simpletext;correspondstoGrasshopperText
Integer:Awholenumber;correspondstoGrasshopperInteger
Number:Anyrealnumber;correspondstoGrasshopperNumber
True/False:Logicalvalue;correspondstoGrasshoppersBoolean
TagsList:Aseriesofwordsorphrases;usedtomakeiteasiertosearchforelementsthatuse
suchtags.InGrasshopper,thisisachievedbyassigningaseriesofTextsseparatedbysemi
colons.
OptionSet:Alistoftextvalues.Theusercanchooseoneormoreofthesedefinedoptions
(multichoice).InGrasshopper,thisisachievedbyenteringthenumberoftheoption(s)tobe
assignedtotheProperty,basedontheinfoshowninthetooltip.
Note:WhetheranOptionSetismultichoiceorsinglechoiceisdefinedbytheuserinARCHICAD,using
theDataTypeOptionSetupchoicesatOptions>PropertyManager.
IftheOptionSetismultichoice,theninGrasshopper,thePropertySettingsNodewillexpectmultiple
inputsintheformofIntegerasList.(Ifyouinputmultipleintegershere,thenmultiplevaluesare
assignedtotheProperty,andthePropertySettingsNodegeneratesoneoutput).IftheOptionSetis
singlechoice,thenthePropertySettingsNodegeneratesaseparateoutputforeachinputInteger.
21
ARCHICADNodes
Note:ItisnotpossibletocreateanewARCHICADPropertyinGrasshopper;youcanonlyassignvalues
to existing Properties. If you need a new Property, you can create it from ARCHICADs Options >
PropertyManagerdialog.Grasshopperisimmediatelyupdatedwiththisnewinformation:thenext
timeyouopentheSelectARCHICADPropertydialog,thenewlycreatedPropertywillbelisted.
ThePropertySettingsNodesfirstoutputparameterisPropertySettingstype.Youcanusethis
asaninputfortheSettingsnodesof3Delements.
ThesecondoutputparameterisElementClassification.UseittoaddaPanelnode,soyoucan
seethenameoftheElementClassificationchoseninthePropertySettingsnode.
22
ARCHICADNodes
ARCHICADDocumentComponents
Documentcomponentsgenerate2DdocumentationelementsinARCHICAD.Therearethree
Documentationelementssofar:the2DCurve,the2DFillandthe2DSplinecomponent.Allof
themhavetworequiredinputparameters:theCurveparameterdefinestheshapeofthenewly
createdplanarelement,whilethe2DViewpointparameterdeterminesthe2DViewpoint
(Section,FloorPlanetc.)ofARCHICADontowhichthenewelementwillbeplaced.Usetheinput
nodeentitled2DViewpointtochoosethedesiredViewpoint.Thisisaspecialinterfaceitem
whichcontainsacontinuallyupdatedlistofplanarViewpointsinthecurrentARCHICADproject.
Note:ARCHICADsdocumentationelementssuchasthosecreatedbytheFill,Line,Circle,Splineand
Polylinetoolsarenotvisiblein3Dviews,onlyin2Dviews(FloorPlan,Section,Elevation,Interior
Elevation,etc.).Therefore,only2Dviewpointscanbeusedastheinputparameterforthe2DCurve
and2DSplineComponents.
ChoosingtheViewpoint:
1. Placea2DViewpointinputnode,thenconnectittothe2DViewpointinputparameterof
the2DCurveortheFillcomponent.
2. Clickontherightsideoftheinputnode.Atreestructureappears,correspondingtothe
ARCHICADprojectsProjectMap.
3. ChoosethedesiredViewpoint,thenclickSelect.
Note:The2DCurveandFillcomponentswillacceptonlycurveslyingonasingleplaneasinputs.The
input curves defined in Grasshopper can also be planar splines, but ARCHICAD will segment these,
creatingsegmentedPolylines.
Atpresent,itisnotpossibletoattachadditionalGHcomponentstotherightsideofthe
Documentcomponents(e.g.,youcannottransformthemwiththeMovecomponent),because
thedataoutputbytheDocumentcomponentsarenotrecognizedbytheGHcomponents.
However,FilltypedatacreatedwiththeFillcomponentcanbeusedasinputbyReshape
components(Add/SubtractPolygon).
23
ARCHICADNodes
2DCurveComponent
Thiscomponentgeneratescurves(definedinGrasshopper)inaselected2DViewpointofthe
ARCHICADproject.ThecurvescreatedinARCHICADwillbePolylines.Ifyouwanttodefinethe
ARCHICADLayer,theLinePenorLineTypeofthesePolylines,attachaPolylineSettings
componenttotheinputparametertothe2DCurveComponentSettings.
2DSplineComponent
Thiscomponentworksthesameasthe2DPolylineComponent,exceptthatitgeneratesSpline
elementsinARCHICAD.TheSplineSettingsnode,inadditiontoPenandLayeroptions,includes
twoBoolean(TRUE/FALSE)options:youcanchoosetogenerateanormalvs.Bziercurve,or
Openvs.ClosedendedSpline.
2DFillComponent
TheFillcomponentwillcreateFillelements(thatis,2Dhatches)inARCHICAD.Likethe2DCurve
component,theFillcomponenthastworequiredinputparameters:aCurveanda2DViewpoint.
24
ARCHICADNodes
UsetheFillSettingsNodetodefinetheattributesofthegeneratedelement(usethePen,Line
TypeandFillPatterninputnodes),itsLayer(usetheLayerInputNode),and/ortoshowitsArea
Text.
Note:RightclicktheFillSettingscomponent
to open the context menu, where you can
definetheFillcategoryofthenewlycreated
Fill element. If you choose Cut Building
Material, then you can use the Building
Material Input Node (instead of the Fill
Pattern) to define the pattern of the Fill
elementtobecreatedinARCHICAD.
25
ARCHICADNodes
ARCHICADDesignComponents
TheDesigncomponentsgeneratenative3DelementsinARCHICAD.Theirinputparametersmust
begeometricinformation(point,curve,etc.)whichdefinethenewelementsposition.Mostof
themhaveasingleoutputparameterwhichstoresgeometricinformation.
TheoutputsofACDesigncomponentscurrentlycannotbeusedasinputsforthetransforming
componentsinGH(suchasMove).Forsomecomponents,however,theoutputdatacanbere
usedasinputsforotherACelements(forexample,theWindowcomponentrequiresaWalltype
input,theReshapeComponentsacceptFill,SlabandRooftypeinputs).
Important:IfaGrasshoppercomponent(e.g.Slab)isassignedmultiplecurvesasinputparameters,
thenARCHICADwillgenerateacorrespondingnumberofSlabs,eachofwhichisseparatelyeditablein
ARCHICAD
Torefinethecomponentgeometryorcontrolattributes,youcanattachthecorresponding
SettingsNodetotheSettingsinputparameteroftheDesignComponent.Bydefault,parameters
oftheSettingsNodesinitiallyinheritthevaluessetinARCHICAD,intheToolDefaultSettings
dialogofthecorrespondingtool.UsefamiliarmethodstooverridedefaultvaluesinGrasshopper
(e.g.attachaNumberSlidercomponent).
26
ARCHICADNodes
Note:ManyARCHICADbasedparametersofdesignelementsarenotyetavailableforGrasshoppers
AC components. The value of these parameters, at the time the component is first generated, will
equalthecurrentdefaultvaluesetforthecorrespondingtoolinARCHICAD.
ColumnComponent
TheACColumncomponentrequirestwopointsasinputparameters.Basedonthese,
GrasshopperwillgenerateARCHICADcolumnsalongthedefinedsegments(whichserveasthe
columnaxes).
AttachaColumnSettingsNodetotheSettingsInputoftheColumnComponenttocontrolthe
BuildingMaterial,Layerandadditionalgeometricparametersofthegeneratedelements.
ThroughthecontextmenuoftheSettingsNode,
youcandefinethecolumnprofile(Rectangular,
CircularorComplexProfile).
Notes:
YoucanalsoattachanACPointparametertothe
input parameter of an AC Column component,
because AC Point data is compatible with GH
Pointdata.
DefiningtheendpointoftheColumnisoptional.
If you leave it undefined, you will get a straight
columnwithdefaultheight(thecurrentheightset
in the Column Default Settings dialog in
ARCHICAD).
SlabComponent
TheACSlabcomponentgeneratesanARCHICADSlabelement.Therequiredinputparameteris
oneormoreclosedcurves.BecauseARCHICADcaninterpretonlyhorizontalslabs,theinput
curve(s)mustbeintheXYorparallelplane.
Theinputgeometrymaybe:
aGrasshopperCurveparameterreferencingoneormoreselectedclosedcurvesinRhino,
anycomponentontheGrasshopperCurvetabthatgeneratesaclosedcurve,
27
ARCHICADNodes
a2DCurveparameterreferencingaclosedARCHICADpolylineelement.
Important:InRhino,youcanselectacurvedsplineastheinputparameterfortheACSlabcomponent,
buttheoutlineofthecorrespondingSlabgeneratedinARCHICADwillbesegmented.
UsetheSlabSettingsNodetoaccessadditionalparameters.Openthecontextmenuofthe
SettingsNodetodefinetheStructure(BasicorComposite)ofthegeneratedSlabelements;the
setofavailableinputparameterswillchangeaccordingly.
28
ARCHICADNodes
WallComponent
TheACWallcomponentgeneratesARCHICADWallelement(s),basedononeormorelines,
polylines,oropenorclosedcurves.TheinputgeometriesmustbeintheXYoraparallelplane.
Important:IfyouselectaRhinosplineasinputcurveparameterfortheACWallcomponent,thenthe
resultingelementinARCHICADwillnotbeasinglecurvedWall,butratherachainofWalls,whose
segmentscorrespondtothesplinesegmentation.
ToaccessadditionalparameterssuchasLayer,HeightorBuildingMaterialconnectaWall
SettingsNodetotheSettingsinputparameteroftheWallComponent.
TheStructure(Basic,CompositeorComplex
Profile)andGeometryMethod(Straightor
Trapezoid)ofthegeneratedWallelementscanbe
setthroughitscontextmenu.TheStructureand
GeometryMethodvaluesinfluencetheavailable
setofinputparametersintheSettingsNode.
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ARCHICADNodes
BeamComponent
TheACBeamcomponentgeneratesARCHICADBeamelement(s)alongoneormorelines,
polylines,oropenorclosedcurves.Thesecurvesmaybein3Dspace.
Important:3DcurveswillbesegmentedinARCHICAD.Therefore,thegeometrygeneratedbytheAC
BeamcomponentwillproducenotasinglecurvedBeam,butratherachainofbeamsegmentsstuck
together.
AttachaBeamSettingsNodeandopenitscontext
menutodecidewhatkindofcrosssectionthe
generatedBeamelementsshouldhave
(RectangularorComplexProfile).
Accordingtothischoice,theSettingsNodewill
containfurtherparameters,suchasProfile
Rotation,AxisOffset,andBuildingMaterial.
30
ARCHICADNodes
MorphComponent
TheMorphcomponenttransformsCurveandMeshtypegeometriesintoMorphtypes.Each
andeveryCurveorMeshelementusedasinputwillbetransformedintoaseparateMorph
elementinARCHICAD.
WiththehelpoftheMorphSettingsNode,youcanassignaBuildingMaterialtoyournewly
generatedMorphelement,andyoucandecidewhichARCHICADlayeritshouldappearon.
Note:InGrasshopper,youcanalsouseBox,Surface,orBREPtypevaluesasMeshinputsforaMorph
since these values are converted into the Mesh type automatically. When using BREPs, it is
recommendedtoalsousetheMeshBrepconvertingcomponentinGH,tohelpkeeppolygoncount
undercontrol.
Note:TheWeldEdgeinformationisstoredintheMorphcomponent.Thus,theWeldEdgeinformation
appliedtotheinputMeshwillalsobeappliedtotheMorphelementgeneratedinARCHICAD.
31
ARCHICADNodes
RoofComponent
TheRoofcomponentrequiresasingleCurvetypeinputparameterforgeneratinganARCHICAD
Roof.Thisinputcurvecanlieinanyplane,thusdefiningnotonlytheroofcontourbutalsoits
pitchandelevation.
YoucandeterminetheStructuretype(BasicorComposite)oftheelementthroughthecontext
menuofanattachedRoofSettingsnode.DependingontheselectedStructurevalue,the
SettingsnodewillincludeCompositeorBuildingMaterialasinputparameter.
Note:ThepolygonusedfortheCurveinputdefinesthe3DlocationandplaneoftheRoofelement
generatedbytheRoofcomponent.Thus,theOffsetfromHomeStoryandRoofPitchparametervalues
(storedintheFavoritesoftheRoofSettingsinput)havenoeffect.
32
ARCHICADNodes
ShellComponents
TheARCHICADShelltoolhasthreeGeometryMethodsRevolved,Extruded,andRuled.TheAC
ConnectionAddOnprovidesaseparatecomponentforeachofthese.Eachcomponenthastwo
requiredinputparameters,whosetypeiseitherCurve,VectororAxis.
EachofthethreeGeometryMethodshasitsownSettingsNode.UsetheSettingsNodecontext
menutodefinethegeneratedelementsstructure:BasicorComposite.Inaddition,youcanuse
theSettingsNodeparameterstofinetunetheShellgeometryordefineitsBuildingMaterial/
Compositeattribute.
MeshComponent
ThiscomponentgeneratesanARCHICADMeshelementbasedonthe3Dcoordinatesetit
receivesasinput.Theinputmustconsistofasetofatleastthreepoints.
33
ARCHICADNodes
UsetheMeshSettingsnodetodefineBuildingMaterial,Height,andLayer.UsetheStructure
inputtosettheMeshdisplayaseitherSolidorSurfaceonly.
CurtainWallComponents
TogenerateaCurtainWallelementfromGrasshopper,youcanusethreedifferentcomponents.
CurtainWallcomponent:GeneratesaCurtainWallbyanextrusionofthereferenceline
(definedbytheCurveinput).TheextrusionisperpendiculartotheplaneoftheCurveinput.
TheheightofthegeneratedCurtainWallisdefinedintheDomaininput,anditsexternalside
isdefinedbythepointinputvalueofthesamename.
Note:UsetheConstructDomainGrasshoppercomponenttodefinetheDomaininputparameter.If
theDomainStartparametervalueisnegative,thentheextrusionwillalsoextendbelowthereference
line(inthenegativeZdirection).Example:IftheDomainvalueis2to3,thenthegeneratedCurtain
Wallwillbe5metersinheight,andwillbeginatapointtwometersbelowthereferenceline.
34
CurtainWallSegmentcomponent:WorkssimilarlytotheCurtainWallcomponent,buthere
youcanonlycreateasingleCurtainWallsegment(itsinputreferencelineisaLine,rather
thanaCurve).ThecomponentalsorequiresaPlanePointinputparameter.Theextrusion
takesplaceperpendiculartothereferenceplanedefinedbytheLineandPlanePointinputs.
ThePlanePointalsodefinestheCurtainWallExternalSide.
ARCHICADNodes
CurtainWallBoundarycomponent:GeneratesaCurtainWallelementwithaBoundaryofa
freelydefinedshape.Itsplaneandshapeisdefinedbytheclosedpolygongivenasthe
Boundaryinputparameter.Here,too,aninputpointdefinestheExternalSide.
TheCWSettingscomponentcanbeattachedtoanyofthethreeCWcomponents.Additional
Settingscomponentscanbeattachedtotheseinturn,asneeded.
UsetheSchemeSettingscomponenttodefinethegridpatternoftheCurtainWallElement.
35
ARCHICADNodes
UsetheCWFrameSettingscomponenttosetparametersforMullion,Transomand
Boundaryframes.
UsetheCWPanelSettingscomponenttosetparametersfortheMainandDistinctpanels.
ObjectComponent
ACObjectcomponentsrequireasingleinputparameter:anchorpoint.ThedefaultLibraryPart
typedependsonwhatissetinObjectDefaultSettings.Toplaceadifferentobject,attachan
ObjectSettingsNodetotheObjectComponent,anduseSelectLibraryPartfromthecontext
menu.
Ontheleftsideoftheappearingdialogbox,chooseamongtheprojectsloadedlibraryparts.On
therightside,theselectedobjectsGDLparametersaredisplayed.Everyparameterthatyou
checkherewill(afteryouclickSelectinthedialogbox)appearasaninputparameterontheleft
sideoftheObjectSettingsNode.Fromthispointon,youcandefinetheseGDLparameters,too,
inGrasshopper.
36
ARCHICADNodes
WindowandDoorComponent
Door/WindowelementsinARCHICADcanonlybeplacedintoexistingWallstheycannotfloat
independentlyofaWall.Thus,DoorandWindowcomponentsalsorequireaWalltypeinput.In
addition,theinputdatamustalsodefinethedistancebetweentheDoor/Windowinsertion
pointandtheWallsendpoint,alongtheWallreferenceline.UsingAdvancedInputOptions,you
canalsodefinetheopeningsverticalpositionfromtheWallbasethatis,theSillHeight.
AsdescribedintheObjectcomponent,attachaDoor/WindowSettingsNodetotheSettings
inputparameteroftheDoororWindowcomponent,thenopentheSelectARCHICADLibrary
Partdialog.AfterselectingtherequiredLibraryPartontheleftside,checktheGDLparameters
youwishtocontrolthroughGrasshopperontheright.
37
ARCHICADNodes
ARCHICADReshapeComponents
SubtractPolygonComponent
ThiscomponentisusedtocutaholeofanyshapeintoanexistingFill,SlaborRoofelement.
First,connecttheelementtobemodifiedtotheGeometryinputparameter.Next,usingthe
Curveinputparameter,definethecontouroftheholeasprojectedtothehorizontalplane.
TheoutputwillbeanelementofthetypedefinedintheGeometryinputparameter,withahole
init.
Notes:
TheCurveinputdefinesthecontouroftheholeasprojectedontothehorizontalplane.Therefore,
onaslantedRoof,theholeiscreatedbyintersectingtheRoofwiththestraightprismdefinedby
theCurveinput.
If you input a Curve that falls outside of the element in which the hole is to be cut, then the
Subtract Polygon componentwill resultinanother copy ofthe element tobecut, inunchanged
form(nohole).
AddPolygonComponent
ThiscomponentworksjustliketheSubtractPolygoncomponent,exceptthatitaddstothe
contouroftheFill,SlaborRoof,insteadofsubtractingfromit.
38
ARCHICADNodes
ARCHICADInputNodes
InputNodesarespecialinterfaceelementsthatreferencecertaindatafromtheARCHICAD
project,makingthesedataavailabletoGrasshopper.Thereferenceddataarecontinuously
updated.InputNodescanbeattachedtoSettingsNodestocontrolattributessuchasBuilding
Material,Composite,Penetc.orthedestinationLayerofthegeneratedelements.Anexception
istheFavoriteInputNode,whichcanbeattached(insteadofaSettingsNode)tothemainDesign
orDocumentcomponent.
AnInputNodeisdividedintotwoparts:clickonitsleftsidetoselecttheNodeitself;clickonits
rightsidetomodifyitsstoreddata.
LayerInputNode
UsetheLayerInputNodetobringuptheARCHICADlayer
setinGrasshopper,todefinethelayerwhereelements
generatedbyGrasshoppershouldbeplaced.TheLayer
selectionpalettealsoincludesthelayersstatus(show/
hide,lock/unlockand3Ddisplaymode).Sortthelayerlist
asneeded(clickthetopofanylistcolumn)tomakelayer
selectioneasier.
NearlyallSettingsNodesincludeaLayertypeinput
(excepttheSettingsNodesofCWPanelandCWFrame).
FillPatternInputNode
ThroughthisNode,theFillTypeattributesofthecurrentARCHICADprojectaremadeavailable
toGrasshopper.ThisNodeprovidesARCHICADFillPatterntypedata.Atpresent,onlytheFill
SettingsNodecanusethistypeofinput.UseittocontroltheFillpatternofelementsgenerated
bytheFillcomponent.
39
ARCHICADNodes
Note:TheFillPatternInputNodecanbeattachedtotheFillcomponentonlyifyouhaveselectedother
than the Cut Fill Building Material category from the Fill components context menu. For more
informationonFillcategories,seehelpcenter.graphisoft.com.
PenInputNode
AccessesthePenattributesetoftheconnected
ARCHICADproject.Currently,thisInputNodeis
availablefortheFill,PolylineandSplineSettings
Nodes.
LineTypeInputNode
ListstheLineTypeattributesoftheARCHICAD
project.Currently,theFill,PolylineandSplineSettingsNodesacceptthistypeofdata.
SurfaceInputNode
AccessestheSurfaceattributesetfromtheconnectedARCHICADproject.Currently,thisInput
NodeisavailableforonlytheCWFrameSettingsandCWPanelSettingscomponents.
BuildingMaterialInputNode
ListstheBuildingMaterialattributesof
theARCHICADproject.
MostSettingsnodesof3Delements
includesthistypeofinput.Elementsthat
canhavecompositeorprofilestructures
(Wall,Slab,Shell,Roof,Beam,etc.)will
includetheBuildingMaterialInputNode
onlyiftheStructurevalueissettoBasic.
IftheStructurevalueissettoComposite
orComplexProfile,thentheProfileor
40
ARCHICADNodes
CompositeInputNodewillbeavailableinstead,fordefiningthematerialofthegenerated
element.
ProfileInputNode
ListstheComplexProfilesdefinedintheARCHICADproject.Useittodefinethecrosssectionofa
Wall,Beam,orColumnelementthathasaComplexProfilestructure.
ClicktherightsideoftheProfileInputNodetoopenthe
selectionpalette.Filterthelistbyusingtheelementtype
buttonsatthetopleftcornerofthispalette.
Clickthebuttonatthebottomlefttodisplaythelistby
eitherIconorListformat.
Note:Ifallthreeelementfilterbuttonsareactiveattopleft,
thenyouwillseethefulllistofprofiles.IfonlytheWallbutton
isactive,thenonlytheprofilesavailableforWallsarelisted.
41
ARCHICADNodes
CompositeInputNode
ListstheCompositeattributesoftheARCHICADproject.Thisinputparameterisavailableinthe
SettingsnodesofWalls,Shells,RoofsandSlabswhoseStructureisset(intheircontextmenu)to
Composite.
2DViewpointInputNode
Usethe2DViewpointInputNodetoaccesstheViewpointsofthecurrentARCHICADProject.By
attachingthisnodetotheDocumentcomponents(2DCurve,2DFill,2DSpline),youcancontrol
the2DViewpointinwhichthe2DelementsshouldbegeneratedintheARCHICADproject.Open
theNodespalettetoaccessatreestructurecorrespondingtotheARCHICADProjectMap.Note
thatonlythe2Dviewsareavailable(Section/Elevation,FloorPlan,etc.);no3Dviewsare
available.
StoryPlaneInputNode
Produceshorizontalplanes(paralleltotheXYplane)basedontheStoryheightsofthe
ARCHICADproject.Usetheseplanestodefinethereferenceinputcurvesoftheelement
generatingcomponents:thisway,theelements(e.g.Wall,Slab,Beam)willbegeneratedin
ARCHICADatthecorrectelevations.
42
ARCHICADNodes
FavoriteInputNode
ListsthesetofFavoritesoftheARCHICADproject.
Note:InARCHICAD,theFavoritesfeatureallowsyoutosavesetsofconfiguredtoolsettingsbyname.
Formoreinformation,visithelpcenter.graphisoft.com.
Unliketheotherinputnodes,theFavoritesInputNodeisattachednottotheSettingsNode,but
directlytotheDocumentorDesignComponent(Settingsinputnode)whichgeneratesthe
element.ByattachingtheFavoriteNode(insteadofaSettingsnode)totheSettingsinputnode,
youaretherebydefiningallparametersofthegeneratedelementinonestep.
Note: The 3D position of elements generatedby Grasshopper (such as the Offset from Home Story
parameter in the Settings dialog) are defined in the mandatory input data of the Document and
Designcomponents,whichgeneratetheelement.(Forexample,theelevationofageneratedSlabis
determined by the Curve input parameter of the Slab component.) The Settings parameters which
definesuchmandatoryinputdataarenotaffectedbyFavoritesettings.
43
WorkflowExamples
WorkflowExamples
Example1:UseRhinotoCreateFreeformShadingSystem
Inthisworkflow,wecreatethegeometryusingRhinosfreeformmodelingcapabilities,while
alsotakingadvantageofARCHICADsBIMcapabilities.Thetaskistodesignashadingsystemthat
extendsbetweentwocurvedsplines.
1. BegininRhino:createthe3Dcurvedsplines.
2. InGrasshopper,usethesefreeformgeometriesastheinputparameter.
3. UsetheDivideComponenttogeneratethedivisionpointsneededfortheshadingsystem.
SplinesdrawninRhinowiththeCurvecommand
44
WorkflowExamples
4. Ateachdivisionpoint,placeanACColumncomponent;ateachspline,placeanACBeam
component.
GeneratedBIMmodelinARCHICADbasedon3DRhinocurves
5. YoucanfinetunethegeometryinRhinobyadjustingtheoriginalsplinegeometry(usethe
PointsOncommand).
6. TodefinetheBuildingMaterialattributeorCoreDimensionsofthegeneratedColumns,
attachaColumnSettingsnodetothecorrespondinginputparameteroftheColumn
Component.
45
WorkflowExamples
Example2:UseARCHICADInputtoBuildaParametricTower
Inthisworkflow,parametricdesignisbasedonanexistingARCHICADproject,usinginputthat
originatesinARCHICAD.
Thetaskistocreateamassmodelofahighriseatopasixsidedbase,whichhasalreadybeen
definedinARCHICAD.
1. InGrasshopper,usethe2DCurveparameternodetoreferencethesixsidedgeometryinthe
ARCHICADproject.
2. Createanarrayofthepolylinetodrawtheoutlineoftheslabsoneachstory.
ThecrosssectionofthetowerisdefinedinARCHICAD
3. Applyarotationtransformationtothearrayofpolygonstocreateamorecomplexshape.
4. UsetherotatedcollectionofpolygonsastheinputparameterforanACSlabcomponentto
createslabsoneachstory,whichcanbeadjustedasneededusingthetransformation
features.
46
WorkflowExamples
5. Createdivisionpointsalongtheslaboutlines:thesewillconstitute3Dcurves.
SlabsofthetowergeneratedinARCHICAD
47
WorkflowExamples
6. UsethesecurvesasinputparametersforACBeamcomponentstomodelthebuildings
twistingframe.
Thedivisionpointsalongtheslaboutlinesdefine3Dcurves.
ACBeamcomponentsattachedtothesepointscreatethetwistedframeinARCHICAD.
7. Atanytime,youcanedittheoriginalsixsidedpolylineinARCHICAD,therebymodifyingthe
crosssectionoftheentirehighrise:the2DCurveparameter,thebasisfortheGrasshopper
code,remainsassociatedtoitsparentelementinARCHICAD.
48
WorkflowExamples
IfyouedittheoriginalpolygoninARCHICAD,andthenpresstheSendChangesbuttononthe
GrasshopperConnectionPalette,themodelsentiregeometryismodifiedaccordingly:the2D
Curveparameterisassociativetoitsparentelement.
8. TochangethecrosssectionofaBeam,attachaBeamSettingsNodetotheBeam
componentsBeamSettingsinput.Fromthenodescontextmenu,clickonStructureof
ARCHICADBeam,andselectComplexProfile.Asaresult,thesetofinputparametersofthe
BeamSettingsinputismodifiedandnowincludestheProfileparameterontheleftside.
9. AttachaProfileInputNodetotheProfileparameter.ClickontherightsideoftheInputNode
tobringuptheProfileSelectionpalette,whichlistsalltheprofilesdefinedintheARCHICAD
project.Intheupperleftofthispalette,deselecttheWallandColumnelements,sothatonly
profilesdefinedforBeamsarevisible,makingiteasiertochoosetherightone.
49
ImportantNotes
ImportantNotes
ParametricBehaviorofGeneratedElements
50
UnlikegeometrythatisembeddedusingRhinosBakecommand,elementsgeneratedin
ARCHICADremainassociatedtotheirgeneratingcode.GrasshopperusesanIDbased
methodtoretainitsconnectiontoelementsplacedinARCHICAD.IftheGrasshopperfileis
modified,theARCHICADGrasshopperConnectionToolwillupdatethecorresponding
elementsinARCHICAD.
ElementsgeneratedbyDesignorDocumentComponentsinARCHICADarenotjustpreviews:
theyarereal,editableARCHICADelements.WhenGrasshoppercreatestheseelements,their
statusislocked.Afteryouunlockthem(Edit>Locking>Unlock),youcanopentheirSettings
dialoginARCHICADintheusualway,andmodifytheirparameters.Youcanalsoeditthe
elementsgraphically.
ThelockedstatusofelementsgeneratedbytheGrasshoppercodeissimilartothepreview
statusinRhino.Parametersoflockedelementscanbemodifiedonlythroughthe
Grasshoppercode.Aftertheelementsareunlocked,theirparameterscanbemodifiedin
ARCHICAD.
Bydefault,ageneratedACelementsparameterswhicharenotcontrolledbytheGHcode
willhavethesamesettingsastheDefaultSettingsofthecorrespondingtoolinARCHICADat
thetimetheelementwasgenerated.
ImportantNotes
CertainparametersofgeneratedACelements(thosewhichareusedinthenodeofthe
generatingcomponentortheirSettingsnodes)canbeeditedinGrasshopper,aswellasin
ARCHICADaftertheelementsareunlocked.However,theGrasshopperbasedparameter
controltakespriorityoverthatinARCHICADaslongastheGHACConnectionisactive.Ifa
parameterofanACcomponentinGrasshopperisassignedavalue(e.g.youaddaNumber
Slider),thenthatvaluewillbeappliedeverytimetheGrasshoppercodeisexecuted.Ifyou
previouslyassignedacustomvaluetothatelementparameterinARCHICAD,thenthat
customvalue,too,willbeoverriddenwhentheGrasshoppercodeisexecuted.
IfyoumodifytheparameterofageneratedelementinARCHICADusingtheelements
Settingsdialogbox,andifthatparameterisnotcontrolledinGrasshopper(eitherbecause
theparameterisnotavailableinthegeneratingcomponentorbecausetheparameterhasno
assignedvalueinGH),thenyourmodificationremainsineffect,eveniftheGrasshoppercode
isexecuted.
IftheGHACConnectionisnotactive,thentheGHcodehasnoeffectontheARCHICAD
project.YoucanthenfreelymodifyeventhoseelementsoriginallygeneratedbyGrasshopper
code.However,onceyoureactivatetheGHACConnection,theGHcodeagaintakes
precedenceintermsofcontrollingtheparameters.
ItisnotrecommendedtousecopypastetoreplicateelementsinARCHICADwhichwere
generatedfromGHcode,becausethenexttimetheGHcodeisexecuted,theelements
createdbycopypastewillbedeleted.Thereasonisthatcopiedelementhasthesame
specialIDthatwasassignedtotheoriginalelementintheGHcode.Grasshopperwilldetect
suchduplicateelementsanddeletethem.
FileHandling
ElementsgeneratedbytheGrasshoppercodearefullyfunctional,nativeARCHICADelements
thatremainintheprojecteveniftheGHcodeisnotavailable.Thus,anARCHICADproject
thatincludeselementsgeneratedfromGHcoderequiresnoadditionalmanagement.Itcan
besavedasusualtoanyoftheavailableformats.Youcanreopentheprojectwithoutany
problemeveniftheoriginalGrasshoppercodeisnotavailable(theelementsgeneratedfrom
GHcodewillbestillbepresentintheproject).
IncontrasttoARCHICAD,Grasshoppercanhaveseveralprojects(GHdefinitions)running
simultaneouslyinasingleinstanceoftheapplication.However,onlyoneofthesefilescan
communicatewithARCHICADatatime.TodefinewhichoftherunningGrasshopperfiles
shouldbeconnectedtoARCHICAD,usetheConnectDocumenttoARCHICADdialogbox,
availablefromGrasshoppersFilemenu.
51
ImportantNotes
Thepathofthecurrentlyactivedocumentisshowninbold.
ThegreeniconindicateswhichdefinitioniscurrentlyconnectedtoARCHICAD.
52
IfyouconnectanARCHICADPLNprojecttothe.GHfilewhichcontainstheelementsorigin
code,thetwofilesrecognizeeachother,andyoucancontinueyourparametricdesign.For
thisreason,itisrecommendedtosavethesefilepairstoasinglefolder,andtouserelated
filenames.
ItiscurrentlynotpossibletousetheARCHICADGrasshopperConnectioninaTeamwork
setup(thatis,withARCHICADandRhinoinstalledondifferentcomputers).AnARCHICADfile
thatcontainselementsgeneratedfromGHcodecanbesharedasaTeamworkfile,likeany
otherARCHICADproject,iftheGHACConnectionisdisabled.

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