3ds Max - Wire Parameters
This is a simple tutorial covering the basics of how to set up and use wire parameters as well as use expression controllers in 3ds Max.
Rhino - Exponential Curve with Explicit History (Grasshopper)
In this tutorial we cover how to make an exponential curve with with Explicit History. This is an intro into using the scalar parameters to begin driving our geometry with math. The next few videos I post will try to isolate these tools in an effort to see what they do individually. As my general philosophy I try to break software down into it’s simplest commands then begin to combine them to get more complex results.
Revit - Missing Grids in Elevation
So…. Have you ever had the problem where your grid lines will NOT show up in elevations?!?!?! This is of course after you have checked your VG settings and maximized 3d extents, still NOTHING! Chances are the elevation view is not perpendicular to the grid lines. In most cases this makes sense, how is the program going to know where you want to intersect the infinite planes of the grid lines. In this Revit tutorial I establish the point of intersection as the siteboundary and grid line intersect.
Rhino Explicit History (Grasshopper) with Implicit History
This Rhino 3d Video Tutorial covers how to use Explicit History modeling techniques on top of geometry created with implicit history. The bridge or walkway that I am modeling comes from a 3ds Max tutorial that I do to explain how one builds the hierarchy of modeling procedures while maintaining associative relationships.
Revit 2009 - New Feature Sweep Blend
Revit Architecture 2009 is out and has some pretty cool new features. The first one I’m posting about is Sweep Blend. I cant think of a better way to explain it than saying imagine taking the blend tool and combining it with the sweep tool. It’s pretty much just that. Like in the blend you pick to shapes “profiles” to blend between except now you can do it along a path. This video covers the basics of how it works.
It’s coming…. AutoCAD on a Mac!?!?!
So based on a few articles i just saw (links below) it looks like Autodesk is officially annoucing AutoCAD for Macs. I think this is going to get A LOT of architects to switch.
Virginia Tech lumenHAUS wins international Solar Decathlon in Madrid
Virginia Tech’s lumenHAUS has won the Solar Decathlon Europe competition.
Rhino Grasshopper Webinar
Tomorrow (6/11) at 1:30 p.m. EST, DesignReform will be hosting our first ever live training webinar. David Fano will be presenting a tutorial on Data Trees using Grasshopper for Rhino, and will be available for live questions afterward, so stop by with all of your Grasshopper questions.
WHObyYOU Relaunch (Win an iPad)
We’ve (David, Steve and Fed of CASE
You can use WHObyYOU to find the best local businesses and service providers recommended by YOUR friends, colleagues and favorite local experts. Recommend things like model making supplier and 3d printers, or even who you used on that project to make you those window frames that you really liked, your structural engineer or steel supplier…
Here we go….. Check out WHObyYOU - Local, Social Search
This is the local, social search service that we (CASE) have been working on for a little over a year now and we wanted to share with DesignReform readers, please check it out.
Chile Earthquake Reconstruction Fund
One of the most basic needs post-earthquake is the inspection of structures post earthquake. Inspections are critical in determining the usability of the remaining infrastructure, which will allow the government to determine who can return to their homes, and who needs to be temporarily housed. Architects from all over have volunteered for these tasks, but getting to these areas and supporting these efforts still takes resources.
2 New Jobs on jobs.DesignReform
Positions available at KPF and Johnson Service Group are looking to fill BIM positions
lumenHAUS on Exhibit in Times Square
lumenHAUS – Virginia Tech Project 2009 – DOE Solar Decathlon (1.0 AIA CES) will be on exhibit in Times Square from January 27-31.
goBim Launches iPhone App
goBim has launched an iPhone App that offers mobile navigation to 3D BIM models!
SmartGeometry 2010 Barcelona: Application Deadline Extended!
The application deadline for the 2010 SmartGeometry Workshop in Barcelona has been extended to January 24th! Read up on the conference here and apply today!
Meet Up at Autodesk University
Autodesk University is coming up (December 1 - 3 in Las Vegas) and I will be all over the place!
I will be teaching two classes, one that will show anyone interested in parametric design the powerful new Conceptual Design Tools in Revit Architecture 2010 (Class ID: DV9210-2) and another on Parametric Design Modeling with Autodesk 3ds Max (Class ID: AB114-4). I will also be presenting at the Pecha Kucha event - a fast-paced visual conversation where a diverse group of creative thinkers show 20 compelling images for 20 seconds each - and will be a judge at the Cut&Paste Design Slam.
If you’d like too meet up and grab a drink or some dinner please shoot me an email at d.fano@case-inc.com. Hope to see you at AU!
Useful Revit Blogs
Useful blogs and resources discovered while researching Revit related issues over the past six months.
EVENT - Pike Loop, a Robot-Built Installation in NYC
In September 2009, Storefront for Art and Architecture will inaugurate an exhibition of the work of Swiss architects Gramazio & Kohler, Architecture and Digital Fabrication, ETH Zurich and, in conjunction with NYC Department of Transportation’s Urban Art Program, Storefront will present the first architecture project to be digitally fabricated on site, at 1:1 scale, in the US.
(from avc.com) Donors Choose Bloggers Challenge: Going For The Threepeat
So.. This is a bit off topic but not really 
A blog that I read regularly (www.avc.com) posted this today last week (draft was started last week): http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2009/10/donors-choose-bloggers-challenge-going-for-the-threepeat.html and this is a link to Fred’s giving page.
All of the causes that Fred picked help young students learn with the assistance of technology. I just donated to Making Math Colorful Through Technology. besides a donation, I was thinking about proposing visual math with grasshopper. If simplified enough, do you think 5th graders would benefit from seeing simple math visually. I could imagine setting up sliders with integers that drive a simple series that makes boxes. If you know a teacher in the NYC area (or North East US) please let me know if this is something they would be interested in. I would really like to collaborate with them to see if we can use some of these visual techniques to teach simple concepts. This week I’ll post a video testing this out.
CASE’s Autodesk Curriculum has been published online!
CASE recently wrote a Conceptual Design Curriculum for Autodesk, discussing concepts, techniques and strategies most beneficial to users for creating conceptual designs using such platforms as 3DS Max, Maya, and Revit. This curriculum is now available to download from Autodesk’s website.
Creative Commons
DesignReform.net by David Fano is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at designreform.net.
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