Generative Design Primer
  • Welcome
  • Introduction to Generative Design
    • Computational Design
    • Generative Design
      • What is Generative Design?
      • Why should I use Generative Design?
      • What goes into a Generative Design Process?
        • Anatomy of each stage
      • Examples of Generative Design
        • MaRs Innovation District of Toronto
        • Furniture Design
        • A Further Analogy
      • Anatomy of a Good Generative Design Process
    • Visual Programming
    • Dynamo
    • Generative Design for Revit and Dynamo
  • Deeper Dive to Generative Design
    • Algorithms
      • What are Algorithms?
      • Generators
      • Evaluators
      • Solvers
    • Optioneering
    • Optimization
      • What is Optimization?
      • Objective Function
      • Constraints
      • Data
      • Defining Goals
    • Genetic Algorithms
      • What is a Genetic Algorithm?
      • Initialization phase
      • Evaluation Phase
      • Selection Phase
      • Crossover Phase
      • Mutation Phase
    • Other Techniques
    • Genetic Algorithm Q&A
  • Hello Generative Design for Revit and Dynamo!
    • Installing Generative Design
    • Setting up a Graph for Generative Design
    • Running Generative Design
    • Visualizing Results in Generative Design
    • Refinery Toolkit
      • Installing the Refinery Toolkit from the Dynamo Package Manager
      • Using the Refinery Toolkit
    • Space Analysis for Dynamo
      • Installing the Space Analysis for Dynamo package from the Dynamo Package Manager
      • Using the Space Analysis Package
    • Using Revit alongside Generative Design
      • Using Data from Revit
      • Remember Node Inputs
      • How to Test Revit Data Capture
      • Detailed Example Workflow
      • Sharing Logic and Results
      • Current Limitations
      • Accessing Generative Design Directly From Revit
  • Sample Workflows
    • Getting Started Workflows
      • Highest Point of a Surface
      • Minimum Volume and Maximum Surface
    • Architectural Workflows
      • Building Mass Generator
      • Building Positioning based on Solar Analysis
      • Office Layout
      • Grid Object Placement in a Room
      • Entourage Placement Exploration
    • MEP Workflows
      • Distributing Spotlights in an Office Space
    • Structural Workflows
    • BIM Workflows
      • Placement of views on sheets
    • Community Examples
      • Guidelines
      • List Of Examples
  • Generative Design in Your Office
    • What Generative Design Can Be Used For?
    • What Generative Design Can’t Be Used For?
    • How to Convince Senior Stakeholders of Using Generative Design?
    • The Role of a Generative Designer
    • Hiring a Generative Designer
  • Next Steps
    • Machine Learning
      • What is Machine Learning?
      • Is Generative Design Machine Learning?
      • Can Machine Learning and Generative Design Work Together?
  • Appendix
    • Glossary
    • Reference Material
    • Need Professional Help?
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On this page
  • Grid view
  • List view
  • Scatterplot
  • Parallel Coordinates
  • Choosing the Right Visualization

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  1. Hello Generative Design for Revit and Dynamo!

Visualizing Results in Generative Design

PreviousRunning Generative DesignNextRefinery Toolkit

Last updated 8 months ago

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After running a generative process, the results will be displayed in the Explore Outcomes dialog in both geometric form and through a series of charts or tables. All of the resulting views are connected and selecting an option in one view will highlight it in the other displays.

Grid view

The grid view shows each option as a 3D geometrical thumbnail that can be individually rotated, zoomed, and panned to explore the design in more detail.

The order of the thumbnails can be sorted based on the inputs or outputs of the Dynamo script, with a toggle for both ascending and descending values.

List view

The list view is another option for viewing outcomes. When chosen, it lists each option in a table, with each column representing the values for the inputs and outputs.

Scatterplot

The first chart in the Explore Outcomes dialog that visualizes data is a scatterplot. This is a type of mathematical diagram that uses Cartesian coordinates to display values across a set of data.

Generative Design allows you to select which values are displayed along both the X- and Y-axes, as well as which ones drive the size and color of the circles in this 4D view. The values can be chosen from the inputs or outputs you defined in the Dynamo graph in the previous steps.

Selecting a circle from the graph space will also highlight the chosen option in grid or list view. This graph can be filtered by clicking and dragging on each axis.

Parallel Coordinates

The other chart available in Explore Outcomes is a parallel coordinates graph, which is the default option. This chart shows a set of vertical parallel lines, equally spaced, that represent the inputs and outputs of the graph. Each design option is represented as a polyline whose vertices sit on each parallel axis. The position of the polylines vertices on the axis corresponds to the value of the input or output.

The graph can be filtered by dragging the selection on each vertical axis.

Choosing the Right Visualization

The kind of visualization you choose for your project may vary depending on what kind of process you are running:

  • If you are running an optioneering process, it may be beneficial to visualize it using a parallel coordinates chart, as it will be easier to filter options after you run them to explore different goals.

If you are running a multi-objective optimization process, it may be beneficial to visualize it using a scatterplot chart, as it will make it easier to find the best trade-off between two objectives and see the Pareto front. For more information on multi-objective optimization and the pareto front refer to our section on the

objective function.
Grid view of outcomes in Generative Design
List view of outcomes in Generative Design
Scatterplot in Generative Design