User’s Guide

The SOFiSTiK Rhinoceros Interface is an extension to the 3D NURBS modeler Rhinoceros by Robert McNeel & Associates (Rhino), providing functionality to create a finite element model for structural analysis in SOFiSTiK directly from a CAD model defined in Rhinoceros. Properties for structural analysis like material, cross-sections or boundary conditions can be assiged to geometric entities in Rhino like points, curves or surfaces. Generating the finite element model can be directly started from within Rhino through the SOFiSTiK toolbar, which provides also access to SOFiSTiK programs like SSD, Animator, Wingraf or Teddy.

With the installation of the SOFiSTiK Rhinoceros Interface, Rhino will be available as additional preprocessor within the SOFiSTiK analysis environment (SOFiSTiK Structural Desktop).

System Requirements, Licensing and Installation

Grasshopper

The SOFiSTiK Rhino Interface also provides an interface for Grasshopper, the visual programming editor integrated in Rhino. The interface, called gh_sofistik provides visual components to define cross-sections, structural elements and loads within Grasshopper as well as components to parametrically define bridge models based on the SOFiSTiK CABD concept. See here for a detailed description:

Command Reference

The SOFiSTiK Rhino Interface provides within the command-line a set of additional SOFiSTiK-specific commands. All SOFiSTiK commands are preceded by _sof. So, by typing simply _sof in the command-line all commands available by the SOFiSTiK interface will be shown by autocomplete. A complete command reference can be found here:

Workflow Tutorials

The following tutorials, descriptions and videos will provide you a hands-on guide into the SOFiSTiK extension of Rhino.