Grasshopper vs. Model Builder, grasshopper mostly wins

I am sitting here using "Model Builder" in ArcMap, a GIS software, and wishing I was using Grasshoper.

Model Builder allows you to automate the tools in ArcGIS. The interface has nothing on Grasshopper. Nothing. The attached image is a testament to David Rutten's amazing work on the Grasshopper interface. This is what Grasshopper should not have looked like.

The only things that Model Builder wins on are:
it has a lot of built-in capability for loops and other script-centric processes (but it only runs when you tell it to, no live interactivity)
you can output the entire "definition" or "model" as a python script

I intend to develop workflows between GIS and Grasshopper, so if anyone has any suggestions or ideas, let me know. For now my plan consists of a lot of dwg files and excel sheets.

Attachments:

model_builder_example.jpg, 341 KB

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Benjamin Golder on December 2, 2009 at 8:42pm

I should mention some of the terrible aspects of model builder:

it names each "component" based on the first input you connect it to. If you copy that component or connect it to anything else, the name stays the same.
You can't just name things whatever you want.
Every time you try to delete anything you get a pop up window. You have to delete connections by hand to remove them (you can't just drag a new one to replace it). So you get a pop up window every time you change a connection.

Permalink Reply by Benjamin Golder on December 2, 2009 at 8:45pm

oh yeah, and you have to click a toolbar button to zoom. you can't use the wheel on your mouse.

Permalink Reply by Scott Davidson on December 2, 2009 at 9:39pm

I know that Chris Wilkin's has doen some GIS work with Grasshopper. He may be able to help you.

http://www.grasshopper3d.com/profile/ChrisWilkins

Permalink Reply by Sameer Kumar on December 5, 2009 at 3:15pm

Shivang Patwa is also doing some great work with GIS and Grasshopper... see if you can get anything out of him!
http://grasshopper3d.ning.com/profile/ShivangPatwa

Permalink Reply by Benjamin Golder on December 5, 2009 at 3:50pm

Thanks Sameer! I actually worked with Shivang on the Local Code Project, and he's a friend of mine!

Permalink Reply by Sameer Kumar on December 5, 2009 at 3:52pm

Oh! Stupid me! I now recall him telling me about you! It all falls together...

I hope to see your work at some point. Heard great things about it. And say hi to Patwa!

Permalink Reply by Benjamin Golder on December 5, 2009 at 4:09pm

If I learn some Python, and Python can function with Rhino 5 (when it comes out) then it is very possible I might be able to make scripts that span between GIS and Rhino/Grasshopper.

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