3D Geometry and Parametric Design

This is an informal workshop experimenting with a method of generating 3D meshes from 2D images based on the RGB colour space and making this content viewable in low-fi VR headsets.

I have been making a piece of software using openFrameworks to explore creating generative 3D meshes and also the challenge of quickly and easily getting 3D models into a lo-fi VR environment. During the workshop I will introduce you to the some basic concepts of 3D modelling and explain how this software can be used as a tool to explain generative design. Below is a screenshot of the software:

Screenshot-2017-06-15-09.29.44.pngCode available here.

Aims

Pre-requisites

Concepts in 3D geometry

We will examine some of the fundamental principles of 3D geometry that allow the computational representation of three dimensional shapes and allow us to understand how these can be created programatically.

Public Domain 3D Cow

Glossary of Terms

3D Cartesian Coordinate

1-uniform_n11.svg.png 1-uniform_n5.svg.png 1-uniform_n1.svg.png
tessellation_texture_by_quipitory-d38nksj.png 5728579339_97f7895e02_b.jpg

Graphics cards on computers work only work with triangles so any 3D shape you see on screen will have been converted in triangles at some point by the software or by the graphics card itself.

uT6do.jpg

Read more about tessellation

Parametric Design

The ground of parametric design is the generation of geometry from the definition of a family of initial parameters and the design of the formal relations they keep with each other.

What is a parameter?

In maths it is the part of an equation that can be variable, creating change in the output/result. It follows this simple model:

INPUT (PARAMETER) > EQUATION > OUTPUT

In programming and computation writing an algorithm follows this pattern. When an input parameter is changed the rules of the equation or algorithm produce a variety of possible outcomes. If there are multiple input parameters then those possible outcomes increase exponentially.

Algorithms as a design partner

The project below is a study of algorithms on baroque and renaissance paintings. The artist, David Quayola, leaves behind the iconographic meaning of the pictures and uses the raw information (for example colour, shape and the relationships within these) to create new pieces. The informational nature of the pictures can be used in combination with algorithms to modify outputs. No doubt within the creative process there are ways to manually delve into the code to tweak parameters and therefore manipulate the possible outcomes.

Quayola - Iconographies source Quayola - Iconographies outcome

Parametric design is also used within architecture to functionally and creatively explore the possibilities in 3D spatial design. Combining formal rules (i.e. algorithms or equations) and making small variations to the input can produce huge and sometimes unexpected shifts in outcome.

berlin.jpg

As you can see from this Google search for parametric design (June, 2017) there is a recognisable style that is reminiscent of organic shapes and patterns. Without speculating on the functional or aesthetic value of this trajectory it is without doubt a function of designing with the aid of powerful computers that can model physical systems in nature that has enabled this. The relationship between parametric design and this type of outcome is that each of these designs would be partially determined by systems of rules in computation and part by the agency of designers, architects or artists. Google Image Search - Parametric Design

Characteristics of Parametric Design

  1. Creating Composition Systems
    As a designer you often construct systems or 'grammars' that help to guide an outcome. This is the principle of parametric design however formalised into code and software.
  2. Variation
    Variation to a single parameter of a system (i.e. equation or algorithm) can create change in the output that is proportionally larger to the scale of the input. Increasing the number of parameters can again increase the variations of output exponentially! The challenge then becomes how to capture these outputs and make choices between them.
  3. Complexity
    Simple rules create complex outcomes. Also incorporating randomness into systems can increase the the variation of outcomes.
  4. Modelling physical systems
    The speed of calculations in modern computers means that simulation or modelling of physical systems is entirely possible and in doing so can become part of system of parametric design.

The Software

  1. Download software
  2. Download images

How does the software work? Let's use it and find out.

Screenshot-2017-06-15-09.29.44.png

RGB Cube

If you want to recreate or learn from this yourself the code is available here and I would recommend following this tutorial for a grounding in 3D meshes in openFrameworks.


Further Reading / Watching:


Revision #21
Created 15 June 2017 15:33:33
Updated 20 June 2023 16:09:06