Geometry Gym connects Rhino 3D and Grasshopper with BIM authoring, structural analysis and model-exchange workflows. Its family of plugins helps architects, engineers and computational designers work with models that carry materials, properties and structural information alongside geometry.

The tools serve different applications and deliverables. IFC authoring and exchange, structural-analysis connectors and Tekla integrations each support a particular part of the workflow, allowing teams to choose the components relevant to their project rather than treating every model transfer as a purely geometric export.

Author and Exchange IFC Models

The ggRhinoIFC plugin provides tools for importing, manipulating, converting and exporting IFC files within Rhino. Existing IFC models can form a starting point for further work, while geometry developed in Rhino can be organised for exchange as classified building elements.

In Grasshopper, model structure, materials, properties and quantities can be developed alongside parametric geometry. This supports repeatable BIM-authoring definitions in which the information associated with an element is part of its creation, rather than a separate task at the end of modelling.

The practical aim is a model that communicates both form and meaning. Entity types, classifications and property sets need to match the project’s information requirements, with the exported result reviewed in the receiving application to confirm how geometry and data have been interpreted.

Build Structural Models From Parametric Definitions

Geometry Gym’s structural-analysis plugins support model creation, loading and load combinations, analysis operations and result retrieval through connected applications. Materials, section properties, nodes and curve, area or solid elements can form part of the structural definition.

This connects the geometry generated in Grasshopper with the analytical information required to study it. A change to the design can feed into a defined structural workflow, helping teams compare alternatives while retaining a clear relationship between the geometry, analysis assumptions and results.

The documentation covers connectors for applications including GSA, ETABS, LUSAS, Robot, SAP2000 and SPACE GASS. Functions vary by connector and application, so the useful starting point is the analysis package your team uses and the operations you want to automate.

Retrieve Results and Automate Repeated Studies

Solver and result-query components provide a route to running analysis operations and bringing results back into the Grasshopper workflow. The tools also support querying existing analysis models, extending their use beyond the creation of a new model from scratch.

For repeated design studies, this can connect geometry generation, model attributes and result review within one definition. The engineering value comes from consistent inputs and interpretation: units, supports, member properties, loads and connectivity still need to represent the intended structure.

Develop Analysis Geometry From BIM

Geometry Gym includes tools for structural-analysis detection from BIM, providing a route from IFC building elements towards an analytical model. The developer’s examples show IFC models from Revit, Tekla or other applications being converted and refined with Rhino and Grasshopper tools.

The distinction between a physical BIM model and an analytical model matters here. Model repair, connection review and restraint definition remain part of establishing a useful analysis representation. Automated detection supports that process while leaving the team in control of the assumptions used for calculation.

Connect Revit and Tekla Workflows

The wider Geometry Gym toolset includes Revit functions that extend IFC import and export and help link IFC parameters with Revit elements and projects. Documented workflows also include automated batch conversion of IFC files to Revit.

Tekla examples cover model definition, materials, section profiles and beam creation, with controls for orientation, offsets, cuts and user attributes. These provide ways to connect computational geometry with the more structured objects used for detailed modelling and project delivery.

Explore Geometry Gym

Follow the installation and 30-day trial guidance to evaluate the relevant plugins. Select a representative model exchange or structural study so you can assess the tools against the information your team needs to produce.

Geometry Gym forms part of the BIM and structural exchange toolset covered on this site. The Rhino 3D plugins guide by discipline sets out what each tool covers, which ones need their own Rhino licence, and how the options fit together.