Shortest geodesic length from point on the surface to surface’s edge

Grasshopper
1

Hi,

I need to find and draw shortest geodesic length from point on the surface to surface’s edge. I think it should be easy, but I did not find standard instrument in Grasshopper.
May be anybody know correct method how I can find shortest geodesic length?
May be I need to create mesh by my surface and find it with mesh help?

In attachment, sample that I created.
ShortestLength.gh (9.3 KB)
ShortestLength.3dm (50.2 KB)

2

Is this what you were looking for? (The green line seems to be the shortest one)

bild
bild1545×646 160 KB

// Rolf

3

Hi RIL,

Thank you for your answer, but your method is only sort lengths from list. If we change quantity of points on the side, they will be on another places and so shortest length will be another.

I think, if we get only one point on the opposite side and will move it along curve with a given step - when previous value will be more than next value - previous value is shortest geodesic length.
But I do not know how I can make it in Grasshopper. I think it should be around boolean operations. May be you know?

4

So if I understand, out of all possible geodesics, you want to find the shortest one?

5

Here’s a Galapagos solution. GP is usually a good approach if your search space is absolutely enormous.

Double click the pink component and run the Annealing Solver in the second tab for a while. Make sure it completes several runs. At the end you should have the shortest (or something very close to the shortest) geodesic.

ShortestLength.gh (15.6 KB)

6

Thank you so much, David!

It is what I looking for!

Thanks again.