Nodi released as public beta version

https://nodi3d.com

I have released a public beta version of Nodi, a tool that I have been making since last spring.

[embed]Nodi: An Online Node-based Geometry Design Tool and Platform nodi3d.com

You can see what kind of tool on the Web,

• Modeling tool using node-based programming that runs on the Web
• Can be developed on the browser, and data can be easily accessed and shared
• Data can be exported in various model formats and drawing formats

A simple explanation for those familiar with CG tools is that modeling tools such as Grasshopper and Dynamo can be used on the Web.

Editor screen in Nodi

Background of development

Originally, I was interested in developing modeling tools. So far, I have made a Unity version of Teddy developed by Professor Takeo Igarashi of the University of Tokyo, created NSKR in collaboration with architect Akinori Hamada, and made several collaborations. While taking the opportunity to develop tools used in various fields.

NSKR (left) Unity version of Teddy (right)

Among them, through the NSKR project, I was particularly interested in tools used in the areas of architecture and product design, and I became involved in a project of a company called VUILD in the wake of the development of NSKR.

VUILD is an architectural startup and has a wide range of businesses, led by architect Koki Akiyoshi, and developing fabrication services for architectural design and consumers.

While working as a programmer on a VUILD fabrication service project, I sometimes developed features that worked with Grasshopper.

I was developing a mechanism to analyze the file of Grasshopper and reproduce the same behavior on the Web in collaboration with architectural programmer Junichiro Horikawa. While creating this mechanism, I decided to make a tool for node-based programming editor x procedural modeling, and started making it as a hobby.

Working with the graph editor in Nodi

Because of the desire to make the tools usable in the architectural domain and the needs of the VUILD project, I decided to start with a Web version of Grasshopper.

Therefore, the types and data structures of the nodes in Nodi are very similar to Grasshopper.

Purpose of Nodi

Nodi wants to make use of the characteristics of the Web to realize a function that seamlessly connects “make” and “use”.

This “use” has two meanings,

• Share created graph data with others to make it easier to reuse
• Materialize the created geometry data so that it can be used as furniture and buildings

Share created graph data with others

With Nodi, all data creation and editing is done on the browser, so the data being edited can be shared with others via a URL, etc., so that feedback can be easily obtained and collaborative editing can be performed. In addition, the viewer screen can be embedded in an external site, and the process of generating the geometry by changing the parameters in the node graph can be reproduced not only on Nodi but also on various sites.

The viewer on the right side of the screen can be embedded on an external site like YouTube

Materialize the created geometry data

I think that what is needed as a modeling tool that can be used in the areas of architecture and product design is a function intended for materialization. It is not the end of creating geometry such as meshes and curves, but it is important to be able to 3D print or cut it. Nodi wants to be able to complete the necessary processes for materializing such geometry on the tool, and plans to support export to various models and drawing formats, structural calculation by API linkage, and so on.

Object actually materialized using Nodi Created & Shot by VUILD

Nodi wants to make it a tool that can smoothly connect these “use in two senses” and “make”.

Conclusion

Nodi is still in the process of being developed and I expect to see critical changes in the future. However, I want to make it more convenient by making it public and receiving feedback.

If you are interested, please use it.

[embed]Nodi: An Online Node-based Geometry Design Tool and Platformnodi3d.com

I also welcome specific project consultations to make Nodi a more practical tool.

• Nodi: https://nodi3d.com
• Feedback: https://forum.nodi3d.com
• Contact: contact@nodi3d.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattatz