DIVA plug in for Grasshopper

This tutorial will walk through some of the • Visualization Radiance Imaging
basic DIVA options within Grasshopper. • Sun Path Diagram
One of the primary benefits of utilizing • Annual Daylighting Simulation
DIVA in Grasshopper as opposed • Dynamic Shading
to in Rhino is the flexibility of settings
all adjustable from the GH canvas. *These are just several of the many
Parametric modeling can be implemented simulations available for DIVA.
as well. Thermal analysis was not explored
with this tutorial.

Brad Ecklund || DIVA Plug-In for Grasshopper Tutorial || ARCH486 || Spring 2017
Inputs: Visualization Radiance Image

File Path Name Benefits Camera

Utilizing the DIVA plug-in within Grasshopper Sky
allows you quickly update, change, and view
Camera Tool visualization inputs, much faster than running
Cam - X and Y allow DIVA through Rhino. This example is using a Image Viewer
you to set pixel size of model based in the Rhino world. Visualization Tool
finished image. V is
either manual or Rhino
view port.

Object
Obj - Allows user to
set object defined
by Grasshopper for
analysis (if using Rhino
modeling this will not
be used).

Rhino Scene
Rh - If using Rhino
scene for analysis, this
needs to be toggled
“true”.

Sky
Sky - Allows user to set
type, location, and
date. Type dropdown
allows selection for
weather. Date is
dictated by sliders. Outputs: Pic
Indicates file location by hovering mouse over name (typ).
Qual Img
Quality - dictates Image - Indicates file location.
quality and speed of
rendering. FC
False Color - Indicates file location.
Run Image Viewer
Chaining button allows By chaining the image viewer tool to any of the above
analysis to run. outputs, you will get a snapshot of the Radiance mapping

DIVA Plug-In for Grasshopper Tutorial || ARCH486 || Spring 2017

 Sun Path Diagram
Benefits
Similar to the radiance, controlling
DIVA through Grasshopper allows quick
manipulation of sun path scenarios.
Sun Path

Step 1
Drag Sun Path tool into Grasshopper canvas.
This will automatically import a new view port
to Rhino which shows shadows. The first thing
to update will be location, click on the drop
down to set to desired location.

DIVA Plug-In for Grasshopper Tutorial || ARCH486 || Spring 2017

 Sun Path Diagram (cont.)

Sun Path

Step 2 - Center Point Step 3 - Radius

Pt - The default location for the Sun Path Diagram is at Rhino’s (0,0,0) R - If the extents of the sun path diagram are smaller than the
coordinates. To make the desired object the center of the Sun Path geometry, the radius can be manipulated with a set value (via a
diagram, drop in the area tool in GH canvas. In Rhino, select a floor plate panel component) or a number slider. The value is the same as the
then R click on G (Geometry) and “Set One Geometry”. Drop in the units that the Rhino model properties has been set to.
Project (“Project an object onto a plane”, this projects the Centroid of the
geometry to a desired plane) and chain this to the Center Point input. The
Sun Path diagram should relocate.

DIVA Plug-In for Grasshopper Tutorial || ARCH486 || Spring 2017

 Sun Path Diagram (cont)

Step 4
Add Month, Day, and Hour to Sun Path input with sliders. In order to view multiple hours at
once, enter a Multi-line Panel or a Series with the desired number of hours to view at once.
Shown is starting at 9 am and every hour until 4 pm. The Step (S) can allow viewing of hourly
or half hourly changes. These changes will update dynamically in the Rhino View port. The
Settings button allows adjustments of several other components (sun path, sun arc, sun
location, etc. that all change Viewing Settings in Rhino).

DIVA Plug-In for Grasshopper Tutorial || ARCH486 || Spring 2017

 Annual Daylighting Simulation

Annual Daylight
Daylighting Grid
Make sure:
DIVA materials are set within Rhino. Direction of modeled
elements are important (direction should be facing exterior in
Rhino - check with “dir” and flip if necessary).

Inputs:

Name
Provides file name for visualizations. “\” provides a subfolder
multiple tests.

Grid
Grid - Surface grid for analysis. Geometry can be set within
Rhino or from Grasshopper geometry.

Object
Obj - Custom object assignments.

Window
Win - this is where dynamic blinds can be built into analysis.

Rhino Scene
Rh - this is indicating that analysis is coming from Rhino scene.

Location
Loc - set location for analysis with drop down.

Quality
Qual - sets quality of rendering.

Run
Run - adding button panel allows analysis to be run.

DIVA Plug-In for Grasshopper Tutorial || ARCH486 || Spring 2017

 Annual Daylighting Simulation (cont.)

Grid Viewer
Outputs:

Out
File path directory.

sDA
Spatial Daylight Autonomy - Percentage of floor plan that is over 300 lux or higher
for 50% of the day on an annual basis.
Panel chained here is indicated as a percentage.

ASE
Annual Sunlight Exposure - Percentage of floor plan that is receiving direct sunlight
registering 1000 lux for more than 250 hours per year on an annual basis.

LEED
LEED credits with current scheme, based on sDA and ASE.

LE
Lighting Energy - lighting energy needed/used on an annual basis.

Open
Open Percentage - Avg percentage of total window area that is not covered by
blinds during occupied hours annually.

Win
Windows with shading schedules. This and Open command come into play with
dynamic shading systems.

Grid
Chain Grid Viewer to this output to view Daylighting in Rhino. Click “Preview” to
use or view other analysis of daylighting, for example Daylight Availaibilty which will
show areas that is over 3000 lux indicating shading will be required.

DIVA Plug-In for Grasshopper Tutorial || ARCH486 || Spring 2017

 Dynamic Shading
Benefits
The dynamic shading tool allows for analysis
based on several different kinds of shading
devices. Used here is the “roller shade” which
would be manually manipulated in a real Window Tool
world scenario. There are many options for the Scene Object Tool Window Viewer
desired shading device.

Note:
This dynamic shading analysis
will build off the previous set
tutorial. The addition will be the
“Win” component. This is running
a simulation with rolling window
shades, this can be changed on
Shade Material (hidden selection) on
the Win component.

Window Tool Component

Select windows and set multiple
geometries with Brep component.
After setting geometry, turn off
windows in Rhino scene. Confirm
Material (M) selection.
SC - Shade control. Manual or auto.
Manual allows you to adjust the
sensors. Auto will place one sensor
behind window.
SS - Spacing. This affects spacing
between sensors.
maxD1 - Maximum Depth. This will
allow you change the depth from
the window you’d like to be affected
by the shading.

Run the daylighting simulator.

Output:
Addition of Window Viewer from
previous tutorial. Window viewer will

DIVA Plug-In for Grasshopper Tutorial || ARCH486 || Spring 2017

 Output:
Addition of Window Viewer from
previous tutorial. Window viewer will
preview in Rhino space percentage
of the year that window rollers will
be open. The new analysis also
shows much more efficient lighting
conditions.

Visualization of the SS and maxD1 locations.

Visualization of the Window Viewer preview.

Visualization of daylighting analysis with dynamic shading

DIVA Plug-In for Grasshopper Tutorial || ARCH486 || Spring 2017