5 ms·

Bit of a tangent but I also predict an explosive demand for parametric AI-first design and simulation software. OpenSCAD works right now in the sense that the

by v7n 4y ago

Bit of a tangent but I also predict an explosive demand for parametric AI-first design and simulation software. OpenSCAD works right now in the sense that the produced source is valid, but asking for even something well documented e.g. an AR-15 lower receiver does not impress.

TaylorAlexander 4y ago
I did not realize it could do that. I asked it to generate a cube with a hole through the center and it really struggled to succeed. Interesting concept though!
- martyvis 4y ago
  ChatGPT has a pretty good handle on G-code (the machine code to drive CNC and 3D printers). A machinist friend of mine and myself got it to write G-code to create a shape from a block of material, adding holes and arrises and so on. To top it off it wrote some decent poetry about 2 mates discussing G-code over a few beers.
fnordpiglet 4y ago
Fusion 360 has a generative AI design extension already. Never used it, I’m too much a poor to use something like that.
- ewalk153 4y ago
  There is a free hobby plan for Fusion 360 that I use for my personal projects.
  - fnordpiglet 4y ago
    I thought it doesn’t have the generative AI extension? When I looked at the plan comparison it was a part of the commercial.
samplatt 4y ago
My previous boss (we were in the civil construction industry) has been saying for years that we are on the cusp of an industry-shattering breakthrough with generative engineering. We should be able to, by now, input terrain maps, account for local water ways & rainfall, and Autodesk's Brobdingnagian suite of tools should be able to spit out a whole new suburban package, engineered to local country/city engineering standards. The main thing that's holding is back is the complexity of engineering standards, and its implementation in the software. But all that'll take is time & money.
- brutusborn 4y ago
  I'm about to start work in this space. Some companies are getting close to full building automation, Augmenta seems to me to be closest / have the best approach. [0] Although the complexity of building standards is a challenge, the speed and quality of various generative algorithms are still major limitations. [0] https://www.augmenta.ai/ https://www.augmenta.ai/
  - yarbas89 4y ago
    Thanks for linking augmenta. I was wondering if you know of other similar companies? I'm an experienced structural engineer who's just completed an MSc in Comp.Sci. I want to combine the two disciplines and so far I've only been looking for consultants who utilise parametric design (Rhino + Grasshopper).
    - brutusborn 4y ago
      No problem! I don’t know of any other multidiscipline generative design companies, but for process plant design there is OptiPlant and PipeStream. There are a lot in the architecture space but these are mostly for high level conceptual design. In my experience many structural engineers code and use simple parametric models. Finding a company using actual generative design algorithms is still rare but there are definitely engineering teams out there who value comp.sci skills.

by v7n 4y ago

TaylorAlexander 4y ago

I did not realize it could do that. I asked it to generate a cube with a hole through the center and it really struggled to succeed. Interesting concept though!

martyvis 4y ago
ChatGPT has a pretty good handle on G-code (the machine code to drive CNC and 3D printers). A machinist friend of mine and myself got it to write G-code to create a shape from a block of material, adding holes and arrises and so on. To top it off it wrote some decent poetry about 2 mates discussing G-code over a few beers.

fnordpiglet 4y ago

Fusion 360 has a generative AI design extension already. Never used it, I’m too much a poor to use something like that.

ewalk153 4y ago
There is a free hobby plan for Fusion 360 that I use for my personal projects.
- fnordpiglet 4y ago
  I thought it doesn’t have the generative AI extension? When I looked at the plan comparison it was a part of the commercial.

samplatt 4y ago

My previous boss (we were in the civil construction industry) has been saying for years that we are on the cusp of an industry-shattering breakthrough with generative engineering. We should be able to, by now, input terrain maps, account for local water ways & rainfall, and Autodesk's Brobdingnagian suite of tools should be able to spit out a whole new suburban package, engineered to local country/city engineering standards. The main thing that's holding is back is the complexity of engineering standards, and its implementation in the software. But all that'll take is time & money.

brutusborn 4y ago
I'm about to start work in this space. Some companies are getting close to full building automation, Augmenta seems to me to be closest / have the best approach. [0] Although the complexity of building standards is a challenge, the speed and quality of various generative algorithms are still major limitations. [0] https://www.augmenta.ai/ https://www.augmenta.ai/
- yarbas89 4y ago
  Thanks for linking augmenta. I was wondering if you know of other similar companies? I'm an experienced structural engineer who's just completed an MSc in Comp.Sci. I want to combine the two disciplines and so far I've only been looking for consultants who utilise parametric design (Rhino + Grasshopper).
  - brutusborn 4y ago
    No problem! I don’t know of any other multidiscipline generative design companies, but for process plant design there is OptiPlant and PipeStream. There are a lot in the architecture space but these are mostly for high level conceptual design. In my experience many structural engineers code and use simple parametric models. Finding a company using actual generative design algorithms is still rare but there are definitely engineering teams out there who value comp.sci skills.