I like to create trees by calculating the shortest walk from the root to the tips through a set of random points. This works well, but the trees look more like shrubs. There is no central trunk. There are way too many branches. In nature, the amount of branches is kept in check in order to share loa…

Hello we had some discussions here [image] How to create an elevated root system? Grasshopper Hi all, My question is regarding how to create a branched root system that begins above ground from a stem as shown in Fig 1. (Image) Fig 2. (Plan view) Fig3. (Secti…

One tree I did some years ago, I took the approach of ‘cumulative’ cross sectional area. That is, ignoring bark, the sum of cross sectional areas of branches going into a node equals the cross sectional area of the trunk supporting that node. My observation from cutting firewood. For illustration, i…

[image] Laurent Delrieu: we had some discussions here Thank you! Some of that looks quite complex. But perhaps I can translate some of these concepts to 2D, which looks easier for prototyping. [image] markz: One tree I did some years ago, I took the approach of ‘cumulative’ cross section…

See below. I am attempting a new approach, but without success. This time it’s not about fusing branches, but about giving branches a more realistic length. Initially, the tree is built as before. It is pictured on the left side in the screenshot below. In a next step, the tree is simplified. All …

ConstantTension is not what you want here - try instead using Length with a rest length of zero: [image] (ConstantTension goals have quite specific and limited uses - certain types of cable nets and finding Steiner trees. For graphs like this where each internal node has 3 connected edges, the on…

Thank you. This works pretty nice, even without any weights applied. Below it is with weights applied as the strength. The value for Number is equal to the number of leaves that a branch segment supports. [Screenshot of the Grasshopper definition and the Rhino viewport] 2026-02-23+08_branches_2.…

I realize, I can dial in a non-zero length and get a better effect than when meddling with the strength. I can still make use of the computed weights, i.e. the number of leave connections for each branch segment. They can be used to vary the thickness as shown below and as discussed in a post above . …

With a trunk and roots: [Rhino viewport] 2026-02-24+08_branches_2.gh (38.6 KB)

[image] Fast way to pipe polylines? (with varying radius) I think that you should take a pencil, eraser and a pad of paper and head to the park and sketch a few trees. Sketch the tree from the side and from the top (you can’t fly, but you can note from which side of the trunk of the tree a branch…

[image] Volker Rakow: A comparison of your diagram in that thread to an improved schematic: Thank you for your suggestions! Those are certainly food for thought. Regarding your rules: Only one branching at a time: Enforcing this rule might add a fair bit of realism. However, how to enforc…

Fusing Branches to Make a Generated Tree Look More Realistic

Grasshopper

Volker_Rakow (Volker Rakow) February 27, 2026, 3:33am 10

A comparison of your diagram in that thread to an improved schematic:

Fast way to pipe polylines? (with varying radius)

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Fusing Branches to Make a Generated Tree Look More Realistic

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