Introduction: Grasshopper - 2D Ornamental Pattern 3D Extrude

Goal:

  • Design a 2D ornamental pattern in Grasshopper and extrude it into a 3 dimensional form.
  • Use Grasshopper and a Python code editor component to generate a 2D grid of points using two input points from Rhino.
  • Using parameterized mathematical and logical inputs, modify the grid to produce a varying series of patterns, connected by lines.
  • Using the grasshopper pufferfish extension and surface and extrude components, convert your lines into a 2.5D form.
  • Bake the form and use a boolean operation to unify your form in Rhino. Ensure the design is 3D printable by checking its edges and slicing it in the Cura 3D software.

Step 1: 2D Ornamental Pattern

Following the guide provided to create a 2D ornamental pattern. Using Grasshopper and a Python code editor component to generate a 2D grid of points using two input points from Rhino.

Challenges:

I initially had difficulty avoiding errors holding up the python code. It seemed the block was not taking rx as an input. The problem was resolved by telling the python block the properties of each specific input for points and sliders (point3d and scalar).

Step 2: Adding Lines

Using parameterized mathematical and logical inputs, modify the grid to produce a varying series of patterns, connected by lines. I struggled to find a pattern that I liked, i specifically wanted something symmetrical with both curved and straight edges incorporated.

Step 3: Creating Surface & Extruding

Using the grasshopper pufferfish extension and surface and extrude components, convert your lines into a 2.5D form. I found that my laptop was struggling to perform the operation. I disconnected nodes to experiment with different patterns/shapes before continuing with the next steps.

Step 4: Boolean Operation & Baking

Bake the form and use a boolean operation to unify your form in Rhino. Ensure the design is 3D printable by checking its edges and slicing it in the Cura 3D software.

Step 5: Printing Possibilties

The design is printable in Ultimaker Cura. A square scaled to ~7cm face is estimated to take ~10 hours to print.