MAT 238_COMPFAB_Week1

Assignment 01 for MAT 238_ Computational Fabrication Class of MAT@UCSB

Design of a 2D Ornamental pattern in Grasshopper and extrude it into a 3D form.

I followed the main instructions provided by the instructor to get the Python script editor to work with the the 2 input points from Rhino. At first, the Python script didn't seem to recognize the input parameters, but the problem was resolved when I specified the type of input for every new input parameter. (point3d for the 2 points and int or float for the other parameters).

While having the parametrized module to work, I experimented with various patterns and designs and different offset values and extrusions. At first, most of my preferences were on simple and clean patterns without being extremely complicated thinking about the printing results. I wasn't satisfied with the ending edges with the pattern, so I used the extra two input parameters that Pufferfish Offset curve was providing (Kinks and Cap Type). Also, I wanted to control the extrusion height through the Extrude node in Grasshopper so, I set the axis Z as a direction and a float slider to change the value (in mm).

When I finally made up my mind with a design that I liked, I added the Union Boolean in Grasshopper, that didn't seem to work. I baked the model, and I tried doing it manually from Rhino and it was still giving me an error. I tried joining the geometry in small groups, but it was not successful. I exported the geometry as a .stl file in order to import it to Cura.

I wanted my object to be 50*50*3 mm, because it would look more elegant, I wanted to have thin line but not thin enough that they would break. This size was also helpful for a faster printing with less material.

This is my final result! I am quite happy about it. I didn't have a lot of problems with the Assignment, only the times that Grasshopper was freezing, and I would like to have the boolean union working so I could have a simple file with not so many polygons and smaller size in mb.

Thank you :)