More people see the benefits of an automated workflow in FEM-Design. Because of this, we recently held a workshop on visual programming in Grasshopper using the FEM-Design API. The participants also got to practice the newly acquired knowledge to solve tasks and present the results to each other. It was an appreciated workshop that increased their understanding of automation.
The interest in creating more efficient workflows is growing. Because of this, we held a workshop in May to increase our customer’s knowledge about how to create an automated process using FEM-Design API and Grasshopper.
The purpose was for the participants to learn the basics of visual programming in order to then be able to write their own scripts and workflows, says Johanna Riad who held the workshop together with Alexander Radne.
We did not set any knowledge requirements to participate. The workshop was open to everyone, both beginners and those who have started to learn more about programming.
Apply the knowledge directly to solve pre-defined issues
During a full day, attending engineers learned more in this workshop. It took place physically in Gothenburg, Sweden, which is now possible in post covid times. The day started with a short introduction to Grasshopper and the FEM-Design API. After this, the participants applied the knowledge to solve three different tasks. Then, in smaller groups of two-three persons, the participants discussed possible solutions while getting help and input from Johanna and Alexander.
One pre-defined task was to solve a geometric problem using visual programming and FEM-Designs API. The participants then presented their solutions and discussed them with each other.
It was important because we wanted to promote the exchange of knowledge between the participants, says Johanna. The task could be solved in different ways, and we wanted to show this to the participants when they presented their results.
It was an appreciated full day on the importance of automation in daily project work.
Hello Sofia, how was your experience during the workshop?
Sofia Elwin Dahlström, a structural engineer at VBK, wants to have more time left over by reducing repetitive tasks using a more automated way of working.
Why did you choose to attend the course, Sofia?
Because I was curious and wanted to learn more to make my job easier and more fun.What did you think of the agenda of the workshop?
It was very good to get a chance to try myself and see how you work with Grasshopper and FEM-Designs API, says Sofia. Because of this, I got more out of the day, and I thought it was good that we got to sit in pairs and discuss how to solve it. The content was at a suitable difficulty level, and it was easy to keep up.What new knowledge did you acquire?
I got a better understanding of how this new technology works in the programs and the connection, how it works and how I can take advantage of this in our projects. Got tips on continuing building on my knowledge from the examples that can be downloaded from FEM-Designs Wiki page for API and Grasshopper.How will you use this new knowledge at work?
It will be easier to perform my day-to-day design work with these techniques, says Sofia. To minimize the repetitive tasks with an automated workflow so that I can spend more time on what I find more fun and exciting, for example working with the analysis of the complex geometry of the whole building instead of just filling in data in different fields.
Hello Klas, what did you think of the workshop?
Another participant was Klas Falck, a structural engineer at ELU Konsult who sees new possibilities with programming after the workshop.
Why did you choose to attend, Klas?
It is important to have knowledge about the technology and how it contributes to a faster workflow. You must know this, I think.What did you think of the agenda?
Great! To practice my new knowledge, get to discuss ideas for solutions and see how others have solved the same thing. It gave me an increased understanding of Grasshopper and its methodology.What new knowledge did you acquire?
How everything works with the connection between Grasshopper and FEM-Designs API. That Grasshopper is very self-explanatory and logically structured and how the work is done in practice to build the script in Grasshopper which then generates the model in FEM-Design.How will you use this new knowledge at work?
I already see the benefits of simplifying the workflows, says Klas. If I were to encounter challenges in the projects, I think that Grasshopper and API could be a way to solve the problem and move forward in the project. I also looking to learn more about programming.
