Kangaroo
Overview
Kangaroo
Kangaroo is a plug-in for Grasshopper, it embeds Physical behaviour directly within your Rhino3d Modelling environment it also allows interaction with the model live while any simulation is running. With Kangaroo you can participate in a virtual form finding process.
Some examples of where Kangaroo could be applied include:
- Planarizing a mesh to create flat rectangular panels for fabrication of flat panels instead of curved ones.
- Equalize the edges of a mesh to use the same modules everywhere instead of many different ones
- Minimize surface area of a mesh to simulate and create membrane roofs.
- Simulate catenary arches to create structurally sound arches and domes
- Simulate folds to create origami-like shapes that can expand and contract with flat panels.
- Check the impact of gravity on a truss system to visualise deflection.
- Check the impact of wind on a building.
- Simulate gears to check the mechanics behind an engine
- Simulate and Visualize how a panel would bend under pressure
- Simulate how objects would configure themselves if packed within a certain area
Forces to be tackled and future development plans include:
- 2D and 3D Geometric Constraints
- Mechanical Simulation
- Breakable Springs
- Air Resistance
- Shear
- And more..
Other Forces can also be added, feel free to forward any suggestions and we’ll put you in touch with the developer, Daniel Piker.
Kangaroo is covered within our Grasshopper Level 2 Scheduled class. We can also include the use of Kangaroo within any tailored or project specific class. Call us for details.
Key Features
Kangaroo Key Features
Kangaroo is a live physics engine for interactive simulation, optimization, and form-finding directly within Grasshopper.
Please refer to the draft Manual for Kangaroo for further information.
The following information is covered within that document:
- Getting Started / Installation
- What is a particle system ?
- Main Kangaroo Component
- Running the Simulation
- Conceptual background - Newton's Laws
- Discretization
- Springs
- Cut-offs
- Power Laws
- Combining Forces
- Bending
- Drag
- Outputs
Technical Details
Technical Details / System Requirements:
Kangaroo is a plug-ins for Rhino3d / Garasshopper, we would suggest looking at the standard hardware advice for Rhino 5:
There are also some sample build Windows Workstations for Rhino3d Workstations here:
Rhino3d & Rendering Workstations
Basic Specification Requirements:
Rhino 5 for Windows runs on ordinary Windows desktop and laptop computers, with:
Hardware:
- 1 GB RAM. 8 GB or more is recommended
- DVD drive or an Internet connection for installation
- 600 MB disk space
- OpenGL 2 capable video card recommended
- Note: Apple hardware is supported only with Bootcamp
Operating systems:
- Windows 7 or 8 - recommended
- Windows Vista
- Windows XP (32-bit only) Service Pack 3
- Note: Both 32- and 64-bit versions are installed on 64-bit Windows systems.
Internet:
- Service releases downloaded automatically
- License validation and product registration is simplified
Not supported:
- Linux
- Windows NT, 95, 98, ME, or 2000
- Windows XP 64-bit
- Mac OS X, but an OS X version is under development.
- Virtualization systems on OS X such as VMWare and Parallels