10 Essential parametric plugins.

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Parametric design is a process based on algorithmic thinking that enables the expression of parameters and rules that, together, define, encode and clarify the relationship between design intent and design response. The most important feature of parametric modeling is the attributes that are interlinked automatically change their features. And the key advantage of parametric modeling is while setting up a 3D model, there is absolutely no need for redrawing if the dimensions are changed or modified to create any other geometrical shape. On the other hand, it refers to the use of parameters such as constraints, the relationships between geometric entities, dimensions, the shape and size of the entities, etc. And the parametric design is by far one of the best modeling processes that is in use.

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Below mentioned are the ten essential parametric plugins:

1. Grasshopper 3D

Grasshopper 3D is a graphical parametric form generating tool, integrated into Rhinoceros 3D. It allows the architects & designers to generate complex parametric forms.

2. Ladybug

This parametric plugin “Ladybug” is used to support further environmental analysis inside the Rhinoceros/Grasshopper. Ladybug imports standard “Energy Plus Weather” files (.EPW) into Grasshopper 3D and brings with it, a wide variety of 2D and 3D interactive graphics to conduct accurate environmental studies for the form generation of the building

3. Honeybee

Honeybee is the parametric plugin for Grasshopper which connects Grasshopper3D to “EnergyPlus”, “Radiance”, “Daysim” and “OpenStudio”, for building energy consumption & daylighting simulation

4. Geco

Geco allows one to export and actively collaborate effectively with another software called Ecotect, in order to evaluate one’s design with various performance data, which Geco again makes possible to import the results as feedback, back into Grasshopper.

5. Heliotrope-Solar

It the Grasshopper plug-in for manipulating geometry based on the dynamic position of the Sun. This tool has the capability to calculate the apparent position of the sun at specified dates and times of the day and uses this data to compute and provide a variety of components for parametrically manipulating the design based on the position of the sun on those specified dates.

6. Kangaroo

Structural Engineers use the Kangaroo Physics plugin inside Grasshopper for interactive real simulation, generating form, optimization, and analysis of structural components and constraint introspection.

7. Karamba

Karamba defines new horizons in the field of structural engineering. It is an interactive structural analysis plugin in the parametric environment of Grasshopper 3D. This plugin makes it extremely simple to combine parameterized complex geometric forms, load calculations, finite element analysis, etc. It provides accurate analysis of spatial trusses, frames, and shells at the early design stage.

8. BullAnt

This is a Grasshopper3D plug-in, primarily for Architects and Engineers. It features unique tools that enhance and extend the capabilities of the parent program. It features an array of commands including mesh relaxation & inflation, automation in symmetry, tessellation, structural analysis (modeling and sketching), and parametric generation in Grasshopper. It also features geodesic dome & curve network processing.

9. Hummingbird

This plugin expands Grasshopper's capabilities by adding a set of components that help in the conversion and creation of Revit files which contain supported geometric algorithms for the Rhino modeled file

10. Mantis

This plugin for grasshopper directly links Rhinoceros and Mathematica. Mathematica is a tool for technical computing, used by mathematicians, engineers, and analysts. It is renowned as the world’s best application for computations.

(Source of info: arch20.com)