Grasshopper Axolotl

AXOLOTL provides a set of components for volumetric modeling in Rhino Grasshopper. They work based on the principle of signed distance functions (SDF). In boundary representations (BRep), objects are defined by vertices connected by edges and faces. In function representations (FRep), objects are defined by a function f that maps any point (x,y,z) to a real value d, the distance to the objects: f(x,y,z)=d

Related Lessons & Examples

3D Sine Iso Surface

In this grasshopper definition you can create a 3d sine iso surface by using the Axolotl Plugin.

Axolotl Random Cube

In this Grasshopper Example File, you can model a voxelized mesh cube with random holes using the Ax...

Gyroid Shell

In this Grasshoper script, you can use the Axolotl plugin to create a parametric gyroid shell.

Gyroid Table

In this grasshopper example file, you can design a parametric table with a Gyroid pattern by using t...

Intersecting Patterns

In this Grasshoper example file, you can use the Axolotl Plugin to generate Intersecting 3d Patterns...

Lattice Dress

In this Grasshopper example file, you can create a lattice pattern on a dress by using the Axolotl p...

Lattice Pattern

In this Grasshopper example file You can use the Axolotl plugin to generate a parametric lattice pat...

Parametric Isosurface

In this Grasshopper Tutorial,we will take a look at an example file which you can learn how to model...

Volumetric Lattice

In this grasshopper example file you can create many different voxelized lattice structures by using...

Voxelized Nodes

In this grasshopper definition, you can create a parametric voxelized node by using the AXOLOTL plug...

Voxelized Ramp

In this grasshopper example file, you can model a a parametric ramp by using the AXOLOTL plugin. You...

Download Axolotl Plugin

Download Axolotl

Axolotl Official Link

Axolotl Plugin

The components are organized in groups. A typical workflow is to choose objects from PRIMITIVES, combine them using e.g. Boolean operations from COMBINATIONS, add further MODIFICATIONS as necessary and finally visualize the distance object using a component from the MESHING tab. Furthermore, there are different kinds of LATTICES, some MATH functions, components to convert Rhino GEOMETRY into an SDF and some utilities to ANALYSE the SDF.

Installation

*** NEW: Install AXOLOTL via the Rhino Package Manager! ***

alternatively:

Download and unpack the zip-Archive
There will be two files, a hidden file starting with ._ You only need the other file, Axolotl.gha
unblock the Axolotl.gha file
open the components folder: In Grasshopper go to File > Special Folders > Components Folder
copy the file Axolotl.gha in there
you might need to restart Rhino

Documentation

Check the component overview and description page here: grasshopperdocs.com/addons/axolotl.html (Thanks, Robin Fernandes!)

Usage

Example definitions showing the use of the AXOLOTL components can be found in the download section. (Thanks, Rémy Clemente!)

Join the AXOLOTL group on grasshopper3d.com to see some examples and share your creations.

Keywords: volumetric modeling, signed distance function (SDF), voxel space, function representation (FRep), constructive solid geometry (CSG), implicit surface

Background

More about the research on volumetric modeling can be found here: dbt.arch.ethz.ch/research-stream/volumetric-modelling/

We wrote a paper about many of the concepts involved, called Volumetric Modelling for 3D Printed Architecture. And another one on some possible applications called Performative Porosity – adaptive infills for architectural elements.

Please consider citing it, if you find Axolotl useful. Thank you 🙂

An older (Python) version of the components can be found here: github.com/dbt-ethz/Axolotl

Authors

Mathias Bernhard, Benjamin Dillenburger and Rémy Clémente
involved labs:
DBT – Digital Building Technologies / Institute of Technology in Architecture / ETH Zurich
PSL – Polyhedral Structures Laboratory / Weitzman School of Design / University of Pennsylvania
LDM – Media and Design Laboratory / Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne / EPFL
Mathias Bernhard / [email protected] / github: worbit