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?
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • Description
  • Static inputs
  • Constraints
  • Variable inputs
  • Functions
  • Visualization
  • Evaluation
  • Results
  • A More Organic Random Using Gaussian Distribution
  • Video Tutorial

Was this helpful?

  1. Sample Workflows
  2. Architectural Workflows

Entourage Placement Exploration

PreviousGrid Object Placement in a RoomNextMEP Workflows

Last updated 25 days ago

Was this helpful?

Description

This graph will generate a series of scenes with different entourage elements. Entourage elements are placed in clusters that imitate the organic positioning of random elements within a space.

Begin by selecting a space/room, then the entourage elements (people, trees, etc). After that, set your different cluster constraints, and finally review the metrics related to how these elements relate to each other.

This workflow is intended to be used with the 'Randomize' mode. Because of this, no optimization criteria is needed however some outputs are provided to give a better view of (some of) the attributes of each scene.

With this workflow you can save time by quickly generating multiple scenes without having to manually place each element.

Static inputs

Name

Description

Room

Room in which the entourage will be placed

Families for entourage

Family instance for each element you want to include in your entourage

Constraints

Name

Description

Minimum /Maximum cluster count (u)

Range for number of clusters

Minimum /Maximum spacing per cluster (m)

Range of spacing per each cluster

Minimum /Maximum elements per cluster (u)

Range of number of elements per cluster

Variable inputs

Name

Description

Seed cluster count

Determines amount of clusters

Seed cluster Us/Vs

Determines UV position of each cluster

Seed spacing in cluster

Determines spacing for each cluster

Seed elements per cluster

Determines amount of elements in each cluster

Seed element location

Determines element location per cluster

Functions

The script is made up of a series of functions, which are divided into groups inside the graph. Each group has a name and a short description. The name indicates the type of function being run and the description explains the process in more detail.

The script will begin by extracting the surface of a room. This room will be used for placing the entourage elements. Then, it'll continue to create a series of clusters of elements. After that, it'll filter and place only the elements that are inside the designated room, before continuing by randomly assigning a family instance to each point. Metrics will be calculated relating the new family instances and the point of interest.

Visualization

The results in Explore Outcomes will display the surface of the room selected, the point of interest and the entourage elements as lines. We suggest you combine this with the 3d view used so that you get results as you export them to Revit.

Evaluation

There is no optimization in this example, however some metrics will provide information on the scenes you've created.

Name

Description

Number of elements (u)

Number of elements created in the scene

Overall spacing (mm)

Distance between elements in the scene

Results

Once generation has completed, the results can be explored through the tables and graphs in the Explore Outcomes dialog.

The image below shows an example output from a randomized study based on 40 solutions.

A More Organic Random Using Gaussian Distribution

One of the key elements to understand when placing elements randomly is Gaussian distribution.

By using Gaussian normal distribution instead of the regular, randomized method you can control the clustering of elements so that your placement will feel more organic.

For further reading on this, please refer to the following website:

Video Tutorial

Workflow files for Revit 2023
Workflow files for Revit 2024
Workflow files for Revit 2025
Workflow files for Revit 2026
https://natureofcode.com/book/introduction/
Architectural Workflows