Hello everyone, I hope you’re doing well.
I was chatting with a member and decided to come here to ask users of Archicad, Grasshopper, and Blender for some thoughts about workflows, ideas, and related topics. I currently use Speckle a lot in my workflow, and these are my thoughts:
For interoperability, I currently use the Archicad-Grasshopper connector, Mesh Sync for Blender-Grasshopper connection, and Speckle for everything. My workflow consists of these steps:
- If I need a large topography, I use Blender and its addons (BlenderGIS) to get the site geometry. Then, I export it to Grasshopper (via Speckle) so I can convert it to Archicad’s meshes (using the Archicad-Grasshopper connector). I finish the site modeling in Archicad by modeling the streets, blocks, and nearby houses.
- For initial concepts, I use Archicad for program sectorization and Blender to create some nice curve-like forms through subdivision modeling.
- For parametric modeling, I export Blender meshes to Grasshopper using the Mesh Sync addon. This way, I can add information to Blender’s vertex groups, like comfort analysis. While Speckle doesn’t yet support this functionality, i think Speckle Team are working on it (are they?). Then, I return to Blender and use the Tissue addon for additional parametric features.
- When I’m satisfied with my concept, I export everything to Grasshopper (via Speckle) for detailing and paneling the geometry, then export the geometry with all the information to Archicad’s objects, classifications, and properties.
- I finalize the project in Archicad, completing all the drafting and details. Then, I export to Blender (via Speckle) for rendering.
- When I need to create detailed furniture in Blender, I export it directly to Archicad with Speckle, ensuring high-quality representation.
Some notes:
- My entire workflow relies on using these 3 programs simultaneously, which showcases the beauty of interoperability.
- I barelly use other programs, like Photoshop or Illustrator.
- I also use Grasshopper for structural simulation analysis with Karamba. Sometimes I handle the entire structure there, and other times I use Blender meshes and export them to Grasshopper.
- Inside Grasshopper, Speckle is really nice for storing information inside geometry and export it to the web. I think this is the best part of it.
- Occasionally, I’m uncertain whether to use the default Archicad-Grasshopper connection or Speckle. I aim to explore more about Speckle’s possibilities and eventually phase out the other.
- When i have to render the project on Blender and occasionally have multiple changes, the creation of multiple data-blocks may be a bit anoying. If there is a chance of getting an “update” button, it would be incredible.
- This workflow is promising but still in the testing phase.
Feel free to share some of your thoughts and workflows. Speckle is indeed a game-changing feature, and even though I use it a lot in my everyday work, I still feel I underuse its functionalities.
