Since establishing Parametric Monkey, we’ve created countless fabrication models for a wide range of projects. While each material was different—sheet metal, stone, timber, etc.—they all shared common workflows that utilised Rhino and Grasshopper. The tips and tricks below are intended to serve as a best-practice guide for creating fabrication models. The aim is to assist the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry in developing design-to-fabrication workflows that enable faster construction, minimise resource use, and employ material-specific design solutions.
Key concepts
Before creating a digital fabrication model, several key concepts should first be understood: Detail versus accuracy, instances versus types, Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), and the digital pipeline. Each of these concepts is vital to the project’s success. As such, an accompanying…