Rhino Grasshopper Tips & Tricks

Unlock valuable insights with our Tips & Tricks page, where we share quick tips, clever techniques, and updates to enhance your Grasshopper and Rhino skills. From component-specific advice to techniques for mastering parametric design, and even the latest updates on Rhino 8, this page is designed to help computational designers elevate their knowledge and workflows. Perfect for anyone looking to stay ahead in the world of parametric design.

Examples

Transpose Surface (Rhino 8)

The Transpose Surface component, introduced in Grasshopper for Rhino 8, swaps the U and V parameters of the input surface.While this operation does not visually alter the surface, it changes its parameterization.

Cross Product

This component computes the cross product of two input vectors.But have you ever considered its practical use for parametric design?The resulting vector is always perpendicular to both input vectors.

Prune Tree

Prune Tree is a versatile yet often overlooked component for working with data trees.It allows you to remove branches from a tree based on the number of data items they contain.

Closest Object

The Curve Nearest Object component in Grasshopper offers a powerful and unique capability: it allows multiple data types (e.g., points, curves, surfaces, and meshes) to be connected simultaneously as inputs. The component then determines the closest object to the specified curve, regardless of its type, and outputs it seamlessly.

Smooth Number

Discover how to create seamless transitions between numerical values with the Smooth Number component.

Polar Sorting

The 'To Polar' component analyzes the polar position of points relative to a base plane. When working with a set of disordered points that you want to organize in polar order, you can use the Phi output from this component to sort them. Note that the sorting starts from the X-direction of the base plane, so ensure the plane is correctly oriented for your needs.  

Renumber Tree Branches

The Tree Branch component is a powerful tool for extracting specific branches from a data tree. It also includes a hidden feature in its component menu that allows you to renumber the output branches.

Loft vs Ruled Surface

Mathematically, the Loft and Ruled Surface components operate differently. Loft can process a list of curves, whereas Ruled Surface is limited to just two curves. However, when creating a surface between two curves, both components may yield valid results.

Trim Tree

Have you ever struggled with mismatched branch numbers when using components like Loft in Grasshopper? This common challenge can make

Normalized Parameters

For instance, a parameter value of 0.5 might not be halfway along the curve’s length – or even close to it. This happens because reparameterization redistributes the parameter values without considering the curve's physical dimensions.

Curve Seam

You can adjust the seam of a closed curve using the "Seam" component. As shown in the example, by changing the seam location of two rectangles, the connection of their division points (visualized as lines) also changes.

Custom Preview

The "Custom Preview" component includes an additional option to select specific target viewports. To access this feature, right-click on the component's icon to open its menu.

Stretch Component

The Stretch component can be used to extend or move a single-curved surface. This dual functionality makes it easy to create flexible design changes.

Weighted Average

How can you combine the effects of multiple attractor points with different logics in Grasshopper? In this example, the Weighted Average component demonstrates how to blend their influences and apply them simultaneously to geometry, unlocking new possibilities for dynamic and responsive designs.

Param Viewer (Rhino 8)

The Param Viewer component is a powerful tool for quickly reviewing the data tree structure in Grasshopper. In Rhino 8, this component has been enhanced with a preview feature, further extending its functionality.

Math Components

Many Grasshopper components in the Math tab accept a generic data parameter as input.

Simplify (Rhino 8)

A new feature called "Simplify Component" has been introduced in Grasshopper for Rhino 8. This feature allows components to shrink, simplifying their appearance on the Grasshopper canvas and resulting in cleaner, more organized definitions.

Number Slider Snap

Did you know you can define snap values for the Number Slider in Grasshopper? This handy feature allows you to restrict slider movement to specific intervals, ensuring precision in your parametric designs. A simple yet powerful way to enhance your workflows

Picking Components

You have surely tried picking GH components from the component's bar above the canvas. Did you know that Grasshopper has a feature for picking multiple components? By holding the "Shift" key on your keyboard and clicking on component icons, you can see a list of picked items. After that, click on the canvas multiple times to place the selected components in order. Alternatively, you can hold the Shift key while clicking on the canvas to place all selected components at once.

Kangaroo Mesh Extraction

When using Kangaroo 2, identifying the mesh output among other results can be challenging. Here are two effective solutions

Auto Swatch

The Metahopper plugin includes a special component called Auto Swatch, which generates a generic color swatch.

Quick Scribble

Scribble is a unique Grasshopper component used for adding quick notes to the canvas. Once a scribble is created, you can double-click it to enter your desired text.

Pipe Corner Clean

In Grasshopper, the Pipe component often struggles to create clean geometry at sharp angles, resulting in overlaps or messy intersections.

Clipped Remap

Ever wondered about the use case of the clipped output in the "Remap Numbers" component? It ensures that values outside the "Source" domain are clipped to the minimum and maximum limits of the "Target" domain.

Polyline Vertex

In this Grasshopper example, the Discontinuity and Explode Curve components are compared to demonstrate their differing outputs for a closed polyline.

Curve Evaluation

There are several ways to find the midpoint of a curve, but they may not work in exactly the same way. Below are four simple methods to evaluate a curve at a 0.5 ratio.

Interpolate Data

The Interpolate Data component is a powerful yet often overlooked tool among computational designers. It allows you to interpolate through a list of input data and supports various data types, including numbers, points, vectors, and colors. Additionally, you can select from four interpolation modes—Block, Linear, Cubic, and Catmull—via the component's menu.

Path Mapper

The Path Mapper is one of the most powerful components for modifying data trees in Grasshopper. However, it has a notable limitation when dealing with changes in branch paths.

Jump Component

Ever found yourself switching back and forth between two parts of your algorithm, struggling to locate sliders or inputs? The 'Jump' component in Grasshopper is here to help

Wrap List

The "Wrap List" component in the Metahopper plug-in converts a list of data into a single bundled object, simplifying wire management and ensuring all data types are handled seamlessly.

Automatic Make2D

The Make2D component generates a projection drawing from input geometry. However, unlike most Grasshopper components, it does not automatically calculate outputs.

Group Toggle

This is a special component from the Metahopper plugin—a simple button with no inputs or outputs. To use it, add the button to a group of components. Pressing the button enables or disables all other components in the group.