Parametric Shelf Algorithm COMPLETE!!
After several weeks, I have FINALLY finished my parametric shelf design. It took several tries to figure out the right way to build the algorithm into one that created a logical form. Below I have broken down exactly what I did.
POLES
First I began by creating lines that rotated randomly around a single point. I made their lengths random as well. I took the end points of those lines, and used them as the centre points of the poles. The heights were also randomized.
This section gives the poles their form using circles with random radii that are extruded and capped.
SHELVES
At the top of each pole, using its end point, I created another line on the XY plane. Each one has a random length and a rotation. I used the end points of these lines as the centre points of the shelves.
The shelves are all made from circles with random radii. The all have the same thickness. By tweaking the range of radii as well as the range for the length of the line used for the centre point, I made sure the each shelf would overlap the pole it's attached to.
To create the second layer of pole, I used the rules that created the line for the centre point of the shelves. I used the centre points as a starting point for the lines and this gave the second layer of poles a spot on the shelf. This line allowed me to make sure the poles remain on their shelf. I then copied the rules from the first set of poles and adjusted their height range and radii range.
From here I simply copied over the shelf definition from before and attached it to the centre points of the second layer of poles. Everything was then unioned together.
BASE
I decided to create a base that would help keep the shelf sturdy.
Now that the algorithm is complete, I need to set up the files in order to fabricate 3 scale models of the shelf. I want everything to be separate pieces so that the model can also be a 3D puzzle. In theory, this should work because each pole and shelf is a different size. Stay tuned!
SECOND SET OF POLES
To create the second layer of pole, I used the rules that created the line for the centre point of the shelves. I used the centre points as a starting point for the lines and this gave the second layer of poles a spot on the shelf. This line allowed me to make sure the poles remain on their shelf. I then copied the rules from the first set of poles and adjusted their height range and radii range. 
SECOND LAYER OF SHELVES
From here I simply copied over the shelf definition from before and attached it to the centre points of the second layer of poles. Everything was then unioned together.
Here is the full definition. It allows me to easily change the number of shelves while ensuring their is a pole attached to each one.
BASE
I decided to create a base that would help keep the shelf sturdy.
Now that the algorithm is complete, I need to set up the files in order to fabricate 3 scale models of the shelf. I want everything to be separate pieces so that the model can also be a 3D puzzle. In theory, this should work because each pole and shelf is a different size. Stay tuned!
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