AI Audio Summary and Discussion
Want to learn about this topic in the background? Give this AI-generated audio summary a listen (created using NotebookLM).
LunchBox 2025.04.24 (and newer) includes a new “Shortest Walk” component that finds the shortest path between two points in a network of curves. The component is based on open-source code originally authored by Giulio Piacentino of McNeel and Associates.
Calculating the shortest distance between two points in a curve network is a handy tool for solving a variety of design challenges. Here are a few examples:
- Space and Layout Constraints: In dense or complex environments—like building interiors or urban plans—finding the shortest route ensures efficient space use while meeting design goals and code requirements.
- Occupant Experience: In certain building types, travel distance can be a critical design factor. In healthcare, for example, minimizing the steps staff take between nurse stations and patient rooms can directly impact operations and outcomes.
- Efficiency in Design and Construction: Shorter paths mean less material—whether it’s piping, wiring, or road surface—translating to lower construction costs and faster timelines.
- Structural Optimization: In systems like trusses or bridges, shorter paths can improve load distribution and reduce stress, resulting in more stable, efficient structures.
The example shown in this post finds the shortest walk across an undulating surface—a scenario common in landscape design. For master planning, optimizing path lengths can enhance the user experience (think efficient walking paths) and reduce costs related to grading, materials, and construction time.
Prerequisites
- Rhino 8 (Service Release 12 or newer) and Grasshopper
- LunchBox for Grasshopper, Version 2025.04.24.0 (Release date: 24 April 2025) or newer
Part 1: Network of Curves
To use the shortest walk component, you will need to supply a network of curves, a connected set of lines or curves that form possible paths between multiple points. If you are beginning with a surface element, like a terrain model or floor plate, you can use other Grasshopper components to create network of curves on the surface. For this example, we used LunchBox’s “Braced Grid 2D Structure” component to subdivide the surface into a grid with diagonal lines between each cell. The component creates Nodes at each intersection.
Part 2: Calculate the Shortest Walk
Next, you’ll supply the lines from the grid and a line from the starting point to the ending point into the “Shortest Walk” component. The component returns the Shortest Walk as a list of curves, which you can highlight with Grasshopper’s Preview components. You can add additional Starting/Ending lines to calculate the shortest distance between multiple nodes in the network.
This week’s post was short and sweet! Thanks for following along. Have questions? Reach out to our team at apps@provingground.io.