NEW FIREFLY WEBSITE, EXAMPLES, & PRIMER

Jason K. Johnson and I are very excited to unveil the new home for all things Firefly!  Come find out the latest features, tutorials, photos, videos and much more at http://www.fireflyexperiments.com.  We are encouraged by the growing community of Firefly users and this website will be the destination for those individuals looking to bridge the gap between Grasshopper (a free plug-in for Rhino), the Arduino micro-controller, the internet, and beyond.  Come take a look and let us know what you think!

In addition to the public launch of our new website, we have also released a new Firefly Toolbar (version 1.003) and an updated Firefly Primer.  We have fixed a few minor bugs and added a few new features that were requested by you - the users.  A delay feature has been added to both Fader (one way and two way) components and the Data Log component has been completely re-written to enable greater flexibility.  Users can now simulate "Live Looping" techniques by using the Wrap feature on the Data Log component which also allows for direct data streaming to a file path of your choosing (.txt, .csv, or .dat).  Additionally, we have built a new Playback component which will return individual lines from a text file at a given frame rate(s).  The ability to control multiple frame rates will allow you to create some really amazing effects.

If that wasn't enough, there is a new Firefly Primer (a 37 page manual) which provides an in-depth look at each individual component and walks you through the entire process of using this powerful new tool-set (from installation to final output). It also includes some basic tutorials, links and references to get you up and running quickly.

Come join the Firefly community and find out what everyone is talking about.  Visit http://www.fireflyexperiments.com.  If you have suggestions or if you just have a question, feel free to email us at info@fireflyexperiments.com. 

GRASSHOPPER PRIMER SPANISH EDITION

After an arduous amount of work the digital publication of the Grasshopper Primer (Second edition) has been translated into Spanish.  The goal of this endeavoer was to bring this knowledge to all interested professionals and students from the Hispanic community.  Congrats to the team for this amazing effort!

Translator's team: Francisco Calvo - Katherine Cáceres, both Chilean architects specialists in Rhino, and also members of Digital Tectonics - www.tectonicasdigitales.com - a web platform based on research in advanced architecture and the impact of new digital technologies in areas such as parametric design and urban simulation models. 

Luego de una ardua tarea hemos finalizado la publicación digital del Manual de Grasshopper (Segunda edición) en su versión en español. Esperamos con esto, contribuir a la difusión acerca del manejo de este plugin para todos los profesionales y estudiantes de habla hispana interesados en el tema.

Grupo traductor: Francisco Calvo – Katherine Cáceres, ambos arquitectos Chilenos especialistas en Rhino, y miembros de Tectónicas Digitales – www.tectonicasdigitales.com - una plataforma web de investigación en base a la arquitectura avanzada y el impacto de las nuevas tecnologías digitales en temas como el diseño paramétrico y los modelos de simulación urbana.

Source Files:
The Grasshopper Primer_Spanish Edition.pdf (size: 13.3mb - right-click and select 'Save Link As' - adobe acrobat needed)

Primer Source Files (size: 193k - right-click and select 'Save Link As' - this is a collection of definitions and Rhino files needed to complete the examples in the primer.

GRASSHOPPER PRIMER CHINESE EDITION

A huge congratulations goes out to Wu Di (aka Woody) and his team of translators for taking on the arduous task of translating the entire 160 pages of the Grasshopper Primer (second edition) into the Chinese language.  Months of hard work went into this translation and it is our hope that this printing will help spread information about this powerful software plugin to mainland China and across the world.  Wu Di has graciously offered to answer any questions you may have about this edition and you can reach him by his email address wudiwudi1212@gmail.com or at the Chinese 3D forum websitehttp://g.shaper3d.cn.

Source Files:
The Grasshopper Primer_Chinese Edition.pdf (size: 6.3mb - right-click and select 'Save Link As' - adobe acrobat needed)

Primer Source Files (size: 193k - right-click and select 'Save Link As' - this is a collection of definitions and Rhino files needed to complete the examples in the primer)

GRASSHOPPER PRIMER JAPANESE EDITION

After a monumental effort from Rhino specialist Atsuo Nakajima, the Grasshopper Primer has been translated into Japanese.  The tutorials found in the Japanese edition have been written to work with plugin version 0.6.0012 and will match the first set of chapters in the second edition (English version).  These tutorials primarily deal with getting familiar with the plugin interface and will walk new users through the process of creating beginning and intermediate level definitions.  For now, the main difference between the two editions is that the advanced chapters dedicated to VB scripting and creating your own custom components can only be found in the English edition.  Personally, I am extremely excited about this release, as it is a fantastic addition to the growing community dedicated to helping people around the world help understand this amazing tool.  Should you have any questions about this version, please feel free to contact Atsuo at the address below.

Atsuo Nakajima
151-0063 Tomigaya 1-6-9 A-1 Bldg, 2F
Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
(tel) 81-3-5790-8431 (fax) 81-3-5790-8432
(email) nakajima@applicraft.com
URL:http//www.applicraft.com http//www.rhino3d.co.jp

Source Files:
The Grasshopper Primer_Japanese Edition.pdf (size: 8.44mb - right-click and select 'Save Link As' - adobe acrobat needed)

Primer Source Files (size: 193k - right-click and select 'Save Link As' - this is a collection of definitions and Rhino files needed to complete the examples in the primer) 

GRASSHOPPER PRIMER ENGLISH EDITION

The second edition of the Grasshopper Primer is out and it wouldn't have been possible without the tremendous contribution from Rajaa Issa.  Rajaa is a developer at Robert McNeel and Associates and is the author of several other Rhino plugins including ArchCut and the ever popular PanelingTools.  This revision provides a much more comprehensive guide than the first edition, weighing in at almost 160 pages with over 70 new pages dedicated to creating your own customized scripting components.

This printing coincides with two events; the first being the new release of Grasshopper version 0.6.0007 which proves to be a giant upgrade to the already robust Grasshopper platform. Existing users will find subtle, and some not so subtle changes to how data is stored in the current version; making some previous definitions outdated or even unusable.  It is the hope that this primer will help new and existing users navigate many of the changes to the software system. The second event that overlaps with this publication is the conference titled FLUX: Architecture in a Parametric Landscape that is being held at the California College of the Arts. The event explores contemporary architecture and design through its relationship with changes in design technologies such as parametric modeling, digital fabrication, and scripting. Among other things, the event will consist of an exhibition and a series of workshops dedicated to parametric software systems.

Source Files:
The Grasshopper Primer_Second Edition.pdf (size: 10.7mb - right-click and select 'Save Link As' - adobe acrobat needed)

Primer Source Files (size: 193k - right-click and select 'Save Link As' - this is a collection of definitions and Rhino files needed to complete the examples in the primer) 

FLUX WORKSHOPS

I will be teaching a two day workshop focusing on an Introduction to Grasshopper Modeling in Rhino for the FLUX event being held at the California College of the Arts on March 28-29.  I'm honored to be invited as there are some really good designers teaching the other workshops as well.  Here's a list of the other workshops being offered that weekend:

Associative Modeling and Formula Driven Geometry using Revit Architecture with Nancy Clark Brown

Beyond Parametric Modeling with solidThinking with Darren Chilton

Knowledge Patterns in Digital Project with Dr. David Jason Gerber

Introduction to Rhino Modeling with Pascal Golay

Advanced Grasshopper Modeling and VB.Net Scripting with Rajaa Issa and Gil Akos

Rhinoscripting with Marc Fornes

Costs are $50 for students, $100 for professionals and includes lunch on both days.  Some of the workshops are already sold out, so sign up quickly.  I am also helping out on the exhibition that will coincide with the event, but I'll release more information on that soon.