In this tutorial, you will learn how to play with parametrized connections and how to change and evaluate them in Grasshopper.

SteelConnection designTutorialsConnection

Grasshopper API link - how to import and calculate parametric connection model (02) version 24

This article is also available in

In this tutorial, you will learn how to play with parametrized connections and how to change and evaluate them in Grasshopper. REMARK: This manual is valid for versions up to 24.1.2

Widget #NaN: support_center_article

Name: Grasshopper - Plugin Installation

ID: 6d5f0dc8-ee5a-4c50-aced-df94e3586763

Show Raw Data

{
  "title": {
    "name": "Main headline (H1)",
    "type": "text",
    "value": "Grasshopper - Plugin Installation"
  },
  "preview_image": {
    "name": "Preview image",
    "type": "asset",
    "value": [
      {
        "name": "E1-1.png",
        "description": null,
        "type": "image/png",
        "size": 68369,
        "url": "https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/28eac049-c8ed-00e2-220c-12142a968dff/fe255e56-8a4e-4dd5-8264-4c71f1dcb040/E1-1.png",
        "width": 782,
        "height": 692,
        "renditions": {}
      }
    ]
  },
  "post_date": {
    "name": "Post date",
    "type": "date_time",
    "value": null,
    "displayTimeZone": "Europe/Prague"
  },
  "perex_content": {
    "name": "Lead paragraph",
    "type": "text",
    "value": ""
  },
  "content": {
    "images": [
      {
        "description": null,
        "imageId": "210c0a21-6b2e-4cf8-96ca-37e82d4862fa",
        "url": "https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/28eac049-c8ed-00e2-220c-12142a968dff/79496c31-039f-4837-b79c-cb4138788fee/g-1.png",
        "height": 602,
        "width": 822
      },
      {
        "description": null,
        "imageId": "17b9256a-6aa1-42b7-8631-d3e7d4e045fa",
        "url": "https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/28eac049-c8ed-00e2-220c-12142a968dff/af466a09-7c9d-43da-aa86-ae8cf2e05680/g-2.png",
        "height": 265,
        "width": 492
      },
      {
        "description": null,
        "imageId": "2a7f156a-11b3-4615-bfa5-c5e91e966443",
        "url": "https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/28eac049-c8ed-00e2-220c-12142a968dff/992a6362-f26a-4ba4-9082-0da7868c65c5/E1-1.png",
        "height": 692,
        "width": 782
      },
      {
        "description": null,
        "imageId": "b957b01f-e69c-482c-841e-87a2cab6aca6",
        "url": "https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/28eac049-c8ed-00e2-220c-12142a968dff/71249ebe-9e05-4c66-bf72-1b3714c9decf/g-4.png",
        "height": 599,
        "width": 1077
      },
      {
        "description": null,
        "imageId": "8e7e6c80-c3e3-4d20-8aab-7481515ddf8d",
        "url": "https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/28eac049-c8ed-00e2-220c-12142a968dff/f0c189a8-203f-40ea-9248-7aaf4be667ec/grasshopper-idea.png",
        "height": 161,
        "width": 814
      }
    ],
    "linkedItemCodenames": [],
    "linkedItems": [],
    "links": [
      {
        "codename": "grasshopper___introduction_to_the_plugin_component",
        "linkId": "f2f373ad-9a22-499b-aced-f9520c80a37a",
        "urlSlug": "description-of-grasshopper-plugin-components",
        "type": "support_center_article"
      }
    ],
    "name": "Content",
    "type": "rich_text",
    "value": "<p>You can get a trial version of Rhino3d and Grasshopper from the <a href=\"https://www.rhino3d.com/download/\" data-new-window=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rhino3d</a> website. Run Rhinoceros and select the template with <strong>Meters</strong>:</p>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"210c0a21-6b2e-4cf8-96ca-37e82d4862fa\" data-image-id=\"210c0a21-6b2e-4cf8-96ca-37e82d4862fa\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/28eac049-c8ed-00e2-220c-12142a968dff/79496c31-039f-4837-b79c-cb4138788fee/g-1.png\" data-asset-id=\"210c0a21-6b2e-4cf8-96ca-37e82d4862fa\" data-image-id=\"210c0a21-6b2e-4cf8-96ca-37e82d4862fa\" alt=\"\"></figure>\n<p>In the Command line, please enter \"<strong>Package Manager</strong>\":</p>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"17b9256a-6aa1-42b7-8631-d3e7d4e045fa\" data-image-id=\"17b9256a-6aa1-42b7-8631-d3e7d4e045fa\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/28eac049-c8ed-00e2-220c-12142a968dff/af466a09-7c9d-43da-aa86-ae8cf2e05680/g-2.png\" data-asset-id=\"17b9256a-6aa1-42b7-8631-d3e7d4e045fa\" data-image-id=\"17b9256a-6aa1-42b7-8631-d3e7d4e045fa\" alt=\"\"></figure>\n<p>A new window appears; select IDEAStatiCa and click <strong>Install</strong>. The plugin will be downloaded and installed. To become active, a restart of Rhinoceros is necessary.</p>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"2a7f156a-11b3-4615-bfa5-c5e91e966443\" data-image-id=\"2a7f156a-11b3-4615-bfa5-c5e91e966443\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/28eac049-c8ed-00e2-220c-12142a968dff/992a6362-f26a-4ba4-9082-0da7868c65c5/E1-1.png\" data-asset-id=\"2a7f156a-11b3-4615-bfa5-c5e91e966443\" data-image-id=\"2a7f156a-11b3-4615-bfa5-c5e91e966443\" alt=\"\"></figure>\n<p>&nbsp;To start Grasshopper with the IDEA StatiCa plugin, select <strong>Tools / Grasshopper </strong>in the Rhihoceros tab.</p>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"b957b01f-e69c-482c-841e-87a2cab6aca6\" data-image-id=\"b957b01f-e69c-482c-841e-87a2cab6aca6\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/28eac049-c8ed-00e2-220c-12142a968dff/71249ebe-9e05-4c66-bf72-1b3714c9decf/g-4.png\" data-asset-id=\"b957b01f-e69c-482c-841e-87a2cab6aca6\" data-image-id=\"b957b01f-e69c-482c-841e-87a2cab6aca6\" alt=\"\"></figure>\n<p>As you can see, the plugin is already incorporated.</p>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"8e7e6c80-c3e3-4d20-8aab-7481515ddf8d\" data-image-id=\"8e7e6c80-c3e3-4d20-8aab-7481515ddf8d\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/28eac049-c8ed-00e2-220c-12142a968dff/f0c189a8-203f-40ea-9248-7aaf4be667ec/grasshopper-idea.png\" data-asset-id=\"8e7e6c80-c3e3-4d20-8aab-7481515ddf8d\" data-image-id=\"8e7e6c80-c3e3-4d20-8aab-7481515ddf8d\" alt=\"\"></figure>\n<p>Learn about the components and commands in the IDEA StatiCa plugin for Grasshopper in the article <a data-item-id=\"f2f373ad-9a22-499b-aced-f9520c80a37a\" href=\"\">Description of Grasshopper plugin components</a>.</p>"
  },
  "regions": {
    "name": "Region",
    "type": "taxonomy",
    "value": [
      {
        "name": "AMER",
        "codename": "amer"
      },
      {
        "name": "EMEA",
        "codename": "emea"
      },
      {
        "name": "APAC",
        "codename": "apac"
      }
    ],
    "taxonomyGroup": "region"
  },
  "product_groups": {
    "name": "Product group",
    "type": "taxonomy",
    "value": [
      {
        "name": "Steel",
        "codename": "steel"
      },
      {
        "name": "Connection design",
        "codename": "connection_design"
      }
    ],
    "taxonomyGroup": "product_group"
  },
  "support_center_article_types": {
    "name": "Support center article",
    "type": "taxonomy",
    "value": [
      {
        "name": "Tutorials",
        "codename": "tutorial"
      }
    ],
    "taxonomyGroup": "support_center_article"
  },
  "expertise_levels": {
    "name": "Expertise level",
    "type": "taxonomy",
    "value": [
      {
        "name": "Intermediate",
        "codename": "intermediate"
      },
      {
        "name": "Expert",
        "codename": "expert"
      }
    ],
    "taxonomyGroup": "expertise_level"
  },
  "labels": {
    "name": "Labels",
    "type": "taxonomy",
    "value": [
      {
        "name": "IDEA Open Model (API)",
        "codename": "idea_open_model__api_"
      },
      {
        "name": "Connection",
        "codename": "connection"
      }
    ],
    "taxonomyGroup": "labels"
  },
  "linked_items": {
    "name": "Linked items",
    "type": "modular_content",
    "value": [],
    "linkedItems": []
  },
  "attachments__files": {
    "name": "Attachments",
    "type": "asset",
    "value": []
  },
  "content_priority__value": {
    "name": "Content priority value",
    "type": "number",
    "value": null
  },
  "options": {
    "name": "Options",
    "type": "multiple_choice",
    "value": []
  },
  "url_slug": {
    "name": "Url slug",
    "type": "url_slug",
    "value": "grasshopper-plugin-installation"
  },
  "unique_url_slug": {
    "name": "Unique URL slug",
    "type": "custom",
    "value": "[\"grasshopper-plugin-installation\",\"[autogenerated]\"]"
  },
  "content_settings__sitemap": {
    "name": "Show in sitemap",
    "type": "multiple_choice",
    "value": []
  },
  "content_settings__robots": {
    "name": "Search engine indexing",
    "type": "multiple_choice",
    "value": []
  },
  "content_settings__is_hidden": {
    "name": "Hidden nested content",
    "type": "multiple_choice",
    "value": []
  },
  "content_settings__is_topped": {
    "name": "Topped",
    "type": "multiple_choice",
    "value": []
  },
  "metadata__page_title": {
    "name": "Page title",
    "type": "text",
    "value": ""
  },
  "metadata__page_description": {
    "name": "Page description",
    "type": "text",
    "value": ""
  },
  "metadata__page_keywords": {
    "name": "Page keywords",
    "type": "text",
    "value": ""
  },
  "metadata__canonical_url": {
    "name": "Canonical URL",
    "type": "text",
    "value": ""
  },
  "metadata__og_title": {
    "name": "OG:title",
    "type": "text",
    "value": ""
  },
  "metadata__og_description": {
    "name": "OG:description",
    "type": "text",
    "value": ""
  },
  "metadata__og_image": {
    "name": "OG:image",
    "type": "asset",
    "value": []
  },
  "translation__translation_connector": {
    "name": "Translation Connector",
    "type": "taxonomy",
    "value": [],
    "taxonomyGroup": "languages"
  },
  "translation__force_translation": {
    "name": "Force translation",
    "type": "multiple_choice",
    "value": []
  },
  "translation__last_translation": {
    "images": [],
    "linkedItemCodenames": [],
    "linkedItems": [],
    "links": [],
    "name": "Last translation",
    "type": "rich_text",
    "value": "<p><br></p>"
  },
  "translation__ai_translated": {
    "name": "AI translated",
    "type": "multiple_choice",
    "value": []
  },
  "page_tree_settings__page_label": {
    "name": "Page label",
    "type": "text",
    "value": ""
  },
  "page_tree_settings__path_segment": {
    "name": "Path segment",
    "type": "text",
    "value": ""
  },
  "page_tree_settings__breadcrumb_style": {
    "name": "Breadcrumb style",
    "type": "multiple_choice",
    "value": []
  },
  "page_tree_settings__hide_in_breadcrumbs": {
    "name": "Hide in breadcrumbs",
    "type": "multiple_choice",
    "value": []
  }
}

Colibri plugin

As Grasshopper can not work with loops, you have to install another plugin - COLIBRI, which you will use in this tutorial.

IDEA StatiCa Connection – Design of a joint and set parameters

For the example, you will create a simple moment connection using a template:

To be able to work with parameters, it is necessary to enable the Developer tab in Preferences / Advance Settings:

In the beginning, you have to set the loads according to the following picture:

Now, you have to set two parameters for this connection. The first one will be the thickness of the Endplate. Click on the plus button in the Developer tab and change the text according to the picture:

To connect this parameter with the appropriate Endplate thickness, click on the link button and select the property field as seen in the following picture:

As the second parameter, you will set the diameter of the bolts:

Remark: The expression is a text, so it is necessary to use apostrophes.

Connect this parameter with the corresponding operation:

Now, you can check the links in the tab Model properties:

As the goal is to play with the diameter of the bolts, we have to add the appropriate bolt assemblies to the file:

Finally, you can save this connection under the name Example2.ideaCon.

Grasshopper - Import the *ideaCon file and modify the parameters

Create a new document, select the tab Params in the upper ribbon, and place the component File Path on the Canvas.

Right-click on the component and select the file Example2.ideaCon we saved before.

Note: If you open the attached file, you must change this path accordingly.

Now, add the following components to the canvas and connect them as displayed in the picture.

Import File:

IDEA StatiCa / Connection / Reference Connection
IDEA StatiCa / Connection / Deconstruct Connection
IDEA StatiCa / Connection / Modify Connection

View Parameters:

IDEA StatiCa / Connection / Deconstruct Parameters

Here, you can add components Params / Input / Panel to see the values of our parameters.

Modify Parameters:

IDEA StatiCa / Connection / Modify Parameters (1)
IDEA StatiCa / Connection / Modify Parameters (2)
IDEA StatiCa / Connection / Modify Connection

For the modified file with different results, we set the Suffix _updated.

Calculation and Results:

IDEA StatiCa / Connection / Calculate Connection
IDEA StatiCa / Connection / Connection Results
IDEA StatiCa / Connection / Deconstruct Result Items

Here, again, you can add components Params / Input / Panel to see the values of the results.

Colibri Components to iterate combinations of parameters:

TTTollbox / Colibri Inputs
TTTollbox / Colibri Outputs
TTTollbox / Colibri Aggregator

For the Input, the first Value list contains 3 values (0.010, 0.015, 0.020) for the thickness of the End plate.
The second one contains three values (M12 8.8, M14 8.8, M16 8.8) for the bolt diameter.
The results are stored in the data.csv file. By default, it is stored in c:\Colibri; here, you should set the path to C:/IDEA. Please make sure you have authorized access.

Click the Colibri Inputs / Fly button to go through the whole iteration. After a while, the CSV file is created.

The straightforward results with True / False can be seen when opening it.

Interpretation of the results

For this specific connection, you will have satisfying results using either

Bolts M16 8.8 with Endplate thickness of 10 mm

Bolts M14 8.8 with Endplate thickness of 15 mm

More complex examples can be found on your PC in the directory

“%appdata%\McNeel\Rhinoceros\packages\7.0\IDEAStatiCa\0.1.1\Examples.zip”

Related recordings

Part 1 - set up of parameters in IDEA StatiCa Connection

Part 2 - upload of connection and display in Rhino

Part 3 - loop process over the parameters

Part 4 - results interpretation