I have a python3 script (that performs a simulation using the external software ngspice), that is used in a Galapagos optimization. Rhino crashes after a couple of minutes, without a crash report.
I have tried the opossum solver, same behavior here. I have a try - except block for the main function that is called but it is not catching anything.
From what I can tell:
- There is no memory issue
- There is no infinite loop
Here’s my system info:
Rhino 8 SR28 2026-2-10 (Rhino 8, 8.28.26041.11001, Git hash:master @ b7874a05a6982d0419fcc4f6009b510b48a09cb3)
License type: Commercial, build 2026-02-10
License details: Cloud Zoo
Windows 11 (10.0.26200 SR0.0) or greater (Physical RAM: 64GB)
.NET 8.0.14
Computer platform: DESKTOP
Standard graphics configuration.
Primary display and OpenGL: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (NVidia) Memory: 24GB, Driver date: 12-30-2025 (M-D-Y). OpenGL Ver: 4.6.0 NVIDIA 591.74
> Accelerated graphics device with 4 adapter port(s)
- Secondary monitor attached to adapter port #0
- Windows Main Display attached to adapter port #1
Secondary graphics devices.
Intel(R) UHD Graphics 770 (Intel) Memory: 2GB, Driver date: 12-1-2025 (M-D-Y).
> Integrated graphics device with 4 adapter port(s)
- There are no monitors attached to this device!
OpenGL Settings
Safe mode: Off
Use accelerated hardware modes: On
GPU Tessellation is: On
Redraw scene when viewports are exposed: On
Graphics level being used: OpenGL 4.6 (primary GPU’s maximum)
Anti-alias mode: 4x
Mip Map Filtering: Linear
Anisotropic Filtering Mode: High
Vendor Name: NVIDIA Corporation
Render version: 4.6
Shading Language: 4.60 NVIDIA
Driver Date: 12-30-2025
Driver Version: 32.0.15.9174
Maximum Texture size: 32768 x 32768
Z-Buffer depth: 24 bits
Maximum Viewport size: 32768 x 32768
Total Video Memory: 24564 MB
Rhino plugins that do not ship with Rhino
Rhino plugins that ship with Rhino
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\Commands.rhp “Commands” 8.28.26041.11001
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\rdk.rhp “Renderer Development Kit”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\RhinoRenderCycles.rhp “Rhino Render” 8.28.26041.11001
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\rdk_etoui.rhp “RDK_EtoUI” 8.28.26041.11001
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\NamedSnapshots.rhp “Snapshots”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\MeshCommands.rhp “MeshCommands” 8.28.26041.11001
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\IronPython\RhinoDLR_Python.rhp “IronPython” 8.28.26041.11001
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\RhinoCycles.rhp “RhinoCycles” 8.28.26041.11001
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\Grasshopper\GrasshopperPlugin.rhp “Grasshopper” 8.28.26041.11001
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\Toolbars\Toolbars.rhp “Toolbars” 8.28.26041.11001
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\3dxrhino.rhp “3Dconnexion 3D Mouse”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\Displacement.rhp “Displacement”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\Calc.rhp “Calc”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 8\Plug-ins\SectionTools.rhp “SectionTools”
Here’s also my python script:
import numpy as np
import PySpice
import PySpice.Logging.Logging as Logging
from PySpice.Spice.Netlist import Circuit
from PySpice.Unit import *
from PySpice.Spice.NgSpice.Shared import NgSpiceShared
from Grasshopper import DataTree
def calculate_power (Voltage, plus_pole, minus_pole, netlist):
#create logger
logger = Logging.setup_logging()
#initialize circuit
circuit = Circuit("Optimization Circuit")
circuit.V('input', plus_pole, minus_pole, Voltage@u_V)
#Iterate through all Resistors in the netlist
for i in range(netlist.BranchCount):
item = netlist.Branch(i)
#get values of individual resistances
name = i
#print(name)
node_a = item[4]
#print(node_a)
node_b = item[5]
#print(node_b)
resistance = item[6]
#print(resistance)
#add Resistors
resistor = circuit.R(name, node_a, node_b, resistance)
#Create a current probe for all Resistors
resistor.plus.add_current_probe(circuit)
#Create Simulation Object
simulator = circuit.simulator(temperature=25, nominal_temperature=25)
ngspice = NgSpiceShared.new_instance()
#Create Analysis
analysis = simulator.operating_point()
ngspice.destroy()
power_list = []
for i in range(netlist.BranchCount):
item = netlist.Branch(i)
name = i
node_a = item[4]
node_b = item[5]
#Check if node is part of the Analysis (ground node is not)
if str(node_a) in analysis.nodes:
# .item(0) converts np array to scalar
v_a = analysis.nodes[str(node_a)].item(0)
else: v_a = 0.0
if str(node_b) in analysis.nodes:
v_b = analysis.nodes[str(node_b)].item(0)
else: v_b = 0.0
voltage = v_a - v_b
current = analysis.branches["vr{}_plus".format(name)].item(0)
power = abs(current * voltage)
power_list.append(power)
return power_list
try:
a = calculate_power(voltage, plus_pole, minus_pole, netlist)
except:
print("error")
Is it possible that Grasshopper is not “waiting” for the python script to finish?
I also tried to not use Galapagos but iterate all possible solutions which made Rhino crash as well.
What I noticed when using the annealing solver is, that it will always crash at the exact same spot:
on the 4th iteration? when it reached 6,42 x10-16.
Any ideas are welcome!