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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  • About
  • Why Make a Primer?
  • Open-Source
  • Contact
  • License

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Welcome

NextIntroduction to Generative Design

Last updated 3 months ago

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Welcome to the Generative Design Primer, which aims to introduce AEC practitioners of all experience levels to an exciting new approach to design using generative design workflows.

About

This primer will help you:

  • understand what generative design is by defining the base concepts and terminology you need to know.

  • explore how these techniques can be used to solve practical challenges commonly found in AEC design projects.

  • learn how to use Autodesk’s newest generative design tools such as Generative Design for Revit and Dynamo, through practical workflows.

Why Make a Primer?

Autodesk is working to democratize technologies that can help designers in the AEC industry automate the creation of design options and optimise those designs to achieve better outcomes.

Using these technologies requires new skills and new ways to think about design. We created this primer to explain the terminology, ideas, and methods you will need to understand to begin using generative design workflows and tools that support this new approach to design.

Note: there are many different applications of generative design/art, and this primer does not aim to cover them all. This primer is focused on AEC methodologies and how these apply to both Generative Design/Dynamo

matterlab was commissioned to kick-start the development of this primer, we thank them for all their efforts in establishing this valuable resource.

Open-Source

This primer is an open source project initiated by the Computational Design and Automation team at Autodesk and we are dedicated to providing high-quality content on generative design in this primer.

Contributions are of course welcomed. You can contribute to the primer in the following ways:

Contact

Let us know about any issues with this document.

License

Copyright © 2021 Autodesk

Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at the following link:

Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.

You can report any issue you may have found on our .

If you’d like to improve, clarify, or add content to the Primer, please head over to our .

Have an example workflow of generative design? Head over to our and see how you can add it to the Community examples section.

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