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Yuval Kahlon

So, you want to learn Grasshopper? Well, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re a student or a professional interested in Parametric Design, The Grasshopper Bible opens this world of possibilities for you. If you’ve tried to learn Grasshopper by yourself through examples which are available online, you might found it a bit difficult to understand the logic behind the software, and very difficult to build something on your own. This course was designed to solve this problem, and help to understand how Grasshopper works in a simple and fun way. When you understand how it works, you can feel free and independent to build whatever you want to build (and based on our rich experience of tutoring in this field, we know that anyone can do it).

Read more

So, you want to learn Grasshopper? Well, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re a student or a professional interested in Parametric Design, The Grasshopper Bible opens this world of possibilities for you. If you’ve tried to learn Grasshopper by yourself through examples which are available online, you might found it a bit difficult to understand the logic behind the software, and very difficult to build something on your own. This course was designed to solve this problem, and help to understand how Grasshopper works in a simple and fun way. When you understand how it works, you can feel free and independent to build whatever you want to build (and based on our rich experience of tutoring in this field, we know that anyone can do it).

This course is awesome because it is:

  • Simple: The explanations are given in a daily language which anybody can understand.
  • Efficient: The videos in the course are focused and concise (less than 5 minutes in average).
  • Comprehensive: Covering all the basic features, tools and functions you need to know to get going.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to understand not only how to use Grasshopper, but also how Parametric Design can help you to create flexible models for your designs. This will enable you to enter this new territory with great confidence, and a good set of skills to get you going.

Ready? Let’s get started.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Have a strong foundation of grasshopper
  • Be able to create parametric models from scratch
  • Clearly understand how grasshopper works
  • Be able to tackle problems while working in grasshopper
  • Be able to learn new material and functions independently
  • Understand how to go from and idea to a parametric model
  • Know the important tools and functions used in grasshopper

Syllabus

Install Grasshopper, understand its basic operation and Introduce its interface.
Welcome
Installation
Connection with Rhino
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation for beginners who want to learn Parametric Design
Designed to be easy to understand, with explanations given in a simple language
Taught by Yuval Kahlon, who is recognized for their work in Parametric Design
Covers all the basic features, tools and functions you need to know to get going with Grasshopper
Provides a comprehensive study of Grasshopper, making it suitable for students and professionals
This course is multi-modal and includes a mix of media, such as videos, examples, and quizzes

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Reviews summary

Grasshopper fundamentals: logic & practice

According to learners, this course is a highly effective start for anyone new to Grasshopper, particularly for understanding its underlying logic and principles. Many praised the instructor's clear explanations and the efficient, concise video lessons, often under five minutes, making complex topics digestible. The practical projects, such as the parametric tower and bracelet, are consistently highlighted as a strength, providing valuable hands-on application. While it offers a comprehensive foundation for beginners, a few reviewers noted that it may be too basic for intermediate users seeking advanced techniques or optimization. Overall, it successfully helps students confidently transition from basic understanding to independent parametric model creation.
The short video format is efficient, though some desire more in-depth explanations.
"The short videos are perfect for digestible learning."
"The videos in the course are focused and concise, often less than 5 minutes on average."
"Some videos felt a little *too* short, wishing for slightly more elaboration on certain topics."
"I often had to rewatch segments to fully grasp the concepts."
Real-world projects like the tower and bracelet provide valuable practical application.
"The projects really solidify my understanding."
"The examples are practical, and I now feel confident exploring on my own."
"I particularly enjoyed the hands-on projects like the tower and bracelet; they helped connect the theory to practical application."
"I now understand how to go from an idea to a parametric model."
Helps learners grasp the fundamental 'why' behind Grasshopper, not just the 'how'.
"I finally feel like I grasp the 'why' behind Grasshopper, not just the 'how'."
"This course truly breaks down the logic."
"I finally understand the underlying logic and can create my own designs."
"It clearly helped me understand how Grasshopper works."
The course excels at simplifying complex Grasshopper concepts for beginners.
"Absolutely fantastic for beginners! The instructor explains complex concepts in such a clear, step-by-step manner."
"The clear, concise explanations and bite-sized lessons make it incredibly easy to follow."
"I found the explanations truly simple and in daily language, making them easy to understand."
"The short videos are perfect for digestible learning."
The content is highly suitable for newcomers but less so for experienced users.
"As an intermediate user looking for optimization tips, this course was too basic for me."
"It's definitely for absolute beginners, which wasn't clear enough for me initially."
"I was already familiar with the software, so it didn't offer much for me beyond the fundamentals."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Grasshopper Bible: Fundamentals with these activities:
Review Basics of Rhino
Reviewing the basics of Rhino will help you build a stronger foundation for working with Grasshopper.
Browse courses on Rhino
Show steps
  • Look through Rhino's user guide.
  • Complete Rhino's beginner tutorials.
  • Practice creating simple 2D and 3D geometry in Rhino.
Refresh your understanding of basic geometry
This activity will help you recall the fundamentals of geometry, which will be essential for understanding Grasshopper's geometric operations.
Browse courses on Geometry
Show steps
  • Review the definitions of points, lines, and planes.
  • Practice constructing basic geometric shapes, such as triangles, squares, and circles.
  • Solve simple geometry problems involving angles, distances, and areas.
Practice Basic Grasshopper Tools
Practicing basic Grasshopper tools will help you become more comfortable with the software and its interface.
Show steps
  • Create a simple 2D shape using the Line, Circle, and Rectangle tools.
  • Create a simple 3D shape using the Sphere, Cylinder, and Box tools.
  • Use the Move, Rotate, and Scale tools to transform objects in Grasshopper.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Follow Grasshopper Tutorials
Following Grasshopper tutorials will help you learn more advanced techniques and expand your knowledge of the software.
Show steps
  • Find Grasshopper tutorials on YouTube or other online platforms.
  • Follow the steps in the tutorials to create your own Grasshopper models.
  • Experiment with different Grasshopper tools and techniques.
Develop a Grasshopper script for a specific design project
Applying Grasshopper to a real-world project will deepen your understanding of its capabilities and potential.
Show steps
  • Identify a design problem or challenge that can benefit from parametric modeling.
  • Sketch out your design concept and determine the parameters that will drive its form.
  • Develop a Grasshopper script that generates your design based on the defined parameters.
  • Refine and optimize your script to achieve the desired design outcome.
Design a Parametric Chair
Designing a parametric chair will help you apply your Grasshopper skills to a real-world project.
Browse courses on Parametric Design
Show steps
  • Sketch out a design for your chair.
  • Create a Grasshopper model of your chair.
  • 3D print your chair.

Career center

Learners who complete The Grasshopper Bible: Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Architectural Technologist
Architectural Technologists develop drawings for residential and commercial structures. The Grasshopper Bible course, with its emphasis on parametric modeling, can be helpful for Architectural Technologists. Parametric modeling enables the creation of flexible building designs that can adapt to changing requirements.
Architect
Architects design buildings and other structures, and ensure that they are safe and functional. The Grasshopper Bible course can be useful for Architects, as parametric modeling can help them to explore design options and optimize building performance.
Product Designer
Product Designers develop and create new products, from concept to production. The Grasshopper Bible course can be useful for Product Designers, as parametric modeling helps them to explore design options and create complex shapes.
Engineer
Engineers design, build, and maintain structures, machines, and systems. The Grasshopper Bible course may be useful for Engineers, as parametric modeling can help them to create realistic simulations and optimize designs.
Interior designer
Interior Designers create and design the interiors of buildings, including furniture, lighting, and finishes. The Grasshopper Bible course can be helpful for Interior Designers, as parametric modeling can help them to create custom furniture and optimize space planning.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure projects, such as bridges, roads, and water systems. The Grasshopper Bible course may be useful for Civil Engineers, as parametric modeling can help them to create realistic simulations and optimize designs.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers design and build machines and systems, such as engines, turbines, and robots. The Grasshopper Bible course may be useful for Mechanical Engineers, as parametric modeling can help them to optimize designs and create custom components.
Industrial Designer
Industrial Designers develop and create new products, from concept to production. The Grasshopper Bible course can be useful for Industrial Designers, as parametric modeling helps them to explore design options and create complex shapes.
Graphic Designer
Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. The Grasshopper Bible course may be useful for Graphic Designers, as parametric modeling can help them to create custom graphics and optimize layouts.
Web Designer
Web Designers create and design websites, including the layout, content, and overall user experience. The Grasshopper Bible course may be useful for Web Designers, as parametric modeling can help them to create custom website templates and optimize user interfaces.
Game Designer
Game Designers develop and create video games, including the gameplay, levels, and characters. The Grasshopper Bible course may be useful for Game Designers, as parametric modeling can help them to create custom game assets and optimize game performance.
3D Modeler
3D Modelers create and design 3D models for a variety of purposes, such as architecture, product design, and animation. The Grasshopper Bible course can be helpful for 3D Modelers, as parametric modeling helps them to create complex shapes and optimize models for different applications.
Animator
Animators create and design animated content, such as movies, TV shows, and video games. The Grasshopper Bible course may be useful for Animators, as parametric modeling can help them to create custom character rigs and optimize animations.
Fashion Designer
Fashion Designers design and create clothing and accessories. The Grasshopper Bible course may be useful for Fashion Designers, as parametric modeling can help them to create custom clothing patterns and optimize designs.
Landscape Architect
Landscape Architects design and create outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and urban plazas. The Grasshopper Bible course may be useful for Landscape Architects, as parametric modeling can help them to create custom landscape designs and optimize site planning.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Grasshopper Bible: Fundamentals.
Groundbreaking work on the use of digital technologies to create new forms. It great way to learn about the latest developments in generative design.
Comprehensive guide to parametric modeling with Grasshopper. It covers all the basics of Grasshopper, as well as more advanced topics such as data structures and custom components. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about parametric modeling with Grasshopper.
Comprehensive guide to Processing, which popular programming language for creative coding. It great way to learn how to use code to create generative designs.
Provides a comprehensive overview of parametric modeling in architecture. It covers the history of parametric modeling, as well as the different types of parametric modeling software that are available.
Great resource for learning how to use Grasshopper to create parametric models. It covers all the basics of Grasshopper, as well as some more advanced topics like data trees and custom components. It also includes many tutorials and examples that will help you learn how to use Grasshopper to create your own parametric models.
Great introduction to generative art, which type of art that is created using algorithms and code. It great way to learn how to use code to create beautiful and unique designs.
Classic work on the use of algorithms to create plant-like forms. It great way to learn about the mathematical principles behind generative design.
Great introduction to creative coding, which powerful tool for creating generative designs. It is written in a clear and concise style, with plenty of examples and exercises to help you learn.
Save
Comprehensive guide to shape grammars, which are a powerful tool for creating complex and unique designs. It is written in a clear and concise style, with plenty of examples and exercises to help you learn.

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