1.10 - Computational Groups with Dynamo

In this chapter, we will leverage the computational power of Dynamo to place and modify flexible groups that are tied to OOTB Dynamo Graphs Samples.

If you did not complete the last section, download and open the 1.10 – Computational Groups with Dynamo.axm file from the FormIt Primer Part 1 Datasets.

You can learn more here about how FormIt and Dynamo work together for computational design workflows.

Create Lower Terrace Stairs

1 - Make sure the Lower Terrace, Main Building Floor, and Plan Image layers are turned on, since that is where we are going to add the stairs.

2 - To place a stair group tied to one of the OOTB Dynamo Samples:

1. Open the Dynamo Palette in the Palette Bar. You should see a few built-in Dynamo objects in the Dynamo Samples directory

2. Single-click the Stairs Dynamo sample to bring it to the model space. FormIt will run the graph behind-the-scenes and generate the stair geometry from this graph.

3. Move your cursor over the canvas, and once the stair is loaded, a ghosted preview of the stair geometry will now be moving alongside your mouse. Move your cursor over the canvas, near the terrace, and click to place the stair. Press Esc to clear the selection. Note that after placing the stairs the Properties Palette will automatically open.

Note: You can also link local directories containing Dynamo graphs, and run your own local Dynamo graphs just like these samples.

3 - To update the stairs dimensions:

1. With the stair group selected, modify the inputs available under the Dynamo INPUTS section at the bottom of the Properties Palette to match as shown below. Most groups created via Dynamo Scrips will have a Dynamo section included in their properties when selected.

   • Add Top Landing = False

   • Add Middle Landing = False

   • Add Bottom Landing = False

   • Floor-to-Floor Height = 2.6

   • Stair Width = 12

   • Riser Height = 0.6

   • Tread Length = 1.25

   • Tread Overlap = 0.25

   • Tread Thickness = 0.25

   • Height Between Middle Landings = (not relevant since no middle landing is being created)

   • Middle Landing Length = (not relevant since no middle landing is being created)

   • Top/Bottom Landing Length = (not relevant since no landing is being created)

2. Click on the Run button to re-run the Dynamo script using the updated input values.

3. Move the group as needed to place the stair in the correct location accordingly to the Plan Image. Take care not to change the elevation of the stair group at all as you move it. Refer to previous chapters to learn more about tricks and techniques when moving model elements.

‌Note: The Floor-to-Floor Height input is an approximation of the stair’s total height. The Riser Height is the parameter that actually defines the height of the stairs. In this example we set the Floor-to-Floor Height as 2.6’ but the final stair height is 3.0’ (0.6’ (Riser Height) x 5 (number of risers)). Since the span between the ground and the terrace top of floor is 3’-2”, the remaining 2” is contained in the upper riser.

Create Main Building Stairs

In the previous steps we created a stair with no landings. Now we will create a stair that uses an upper landing that aligns with the Main Building Floor.

1 - Start by making a copy of the stairs we just made:

1. Select the existing stair and then click anywhere on the Plan Image to start a move command. This will cause FormIt to use the elevation of the Plan Image as the starting reference height for place our new copy. Press Ctrl to make a quick copy.

2. Move the cursor over closer to the main building above the terrace. Note that now the terrace’s top face is the new reference plane. Click to place the group.

Note: Since the Plan Image is at the Ground Level plane, the Move Tool will use that plane as a reference for its start point. Note the On Face tooltip in the above image, indicating that the Plan Image face is selected as the starting reference, and the top face of the Lower Terrace Floor is selected as the ending reference.

2 - Use the Make Unique (MU) tool so that when we change this stair’s Dynamo inputs it will not affect the lower stair. Reposition the group as needed so that it is close to its final location – we will fine tune this later. You can toggle the Lower Terrace layer visibility to see the plan below to help position it, but again be careful not to change the new stair’s elevation as you move it.

3 - In the Properties Palette update the Dynamo Inputs as shown below and run the script once more.

• Add Top Landing = True

• Floor-to-Floor Height = 2.333

• Riser Height = 0.466

• Tread Length = 1.5

• Top/Bottom Landing Length = 2.5

Note: If you set Add Bottom Landing to true and re-run the script, the bottom landing’s top face should align with the Lower Terrace Floor’s top face. This is happening because – differently from the previous stairs - we adjusted the Riser Height to match the Floor-to-Floor Height to the true height we want (2’-4” or 2.333’).

2 - Reposition the group again to its final position. The top landing should be flush with the Main Building Floor.

3 - To finalize the stairs, add the Stone - Travertine material to it to match the floors. To learn more about how to apply materials, see previous chapters.