This weeks lecture was an overview of different 2D/3D design software options (Open Source & commercial). The idea is to to experiment with the different design software to find the best option that fits the purpose of the designer. I tried to get comfortable with and combine an array of tools in which each excel at different things, to design and visualize my idea.
For the past week I have been digging for information about how to model soap.. I figured that Rhino+ grasshopper is my best option. I experimented with the software to try to simulate the expansion of bubbles and the structure they form upon intersection. I have looked into different design concepts such as sphere packing and voronoi.
First attempt, I used rhino to form the model and better visualize my idea. I then realized that I had to observe the behavior of bubbles when they inflate under boundary constraints so I started using grasshopper.
Second attempt, I created a hexagonal grid and placed spheres of equal size on the center of each hexagon. With the number slider, I tried to simulate the inflation of spheres to form the soap-like structure.
Third attempt, I used the same algorithm but added the random component to randomize the inflation ratio among the spheres..Which made it more interesting. I still have to do more research on the form finding (sphere packing) as the results I came up with are not satisfying.
Fourth attempt, I finally figured how to make a voronoi.
Learning Grasshopper is really challenging for me since I don't come from a design background and the concept of designing through algorithms is completely new to me. I'll hopefully be able to come up with the design I desire by the end of the program!
