FLUX.IO, the data exchange web service
What is FLUX.IO?
FLUX.IO is a web-based service that allows data to be exchanged between popular design applications such as Grasshopper or Dynamo and Excel using plugins.
The system is based on the idea of using a multi-user cloud platform to serve as a focal point for collaboration and data exchange during the design phase . Flux allows us to invite teammates and partners to a project to share data. Each user can work in isolation until they’re ready to share their changes with the team. Once they update those changes through the cloud, they’ll be reflected in the platform, and other users will automatically be able to update them. Flux thus frees users from the burden of data exchange and conversion, allowing them to focus on what really matters: the design.
What could we use FLUX for?
On the same website they give us some ideas:
- For Design Exploration or Form-Finding (Excel <> Grasshopper), establishing design parameters in Excel and using them in Grasshopper to generate geometric shapes. Performing calculations and metrics on geometric shapes, such as surface area, and sending them back to Excel for further analysis is a fundamental aspect, especially in the early design phases. This would allow team members to quickly focus on proposing different design alternatives for subsequent analysis and comparison of the data obtained during the analysis.
- For Design Development (Grasshopper > Dynamo). Explore geometric shapes in Grasshopper and export them to Dynamo/Revit for further refinement and detail. Flux automatically translates graphic formats between the two systems, allowing us to leverage Grasshopper’s power and advanced development capabilities in multiple areas and seamlessly exchange information with Dynamo.
- For measurements (Dynamo > Excel). In my opinion, this is a more complex topic, especially in very advanced stages of the design. However, I find it very useful to be able to extract data from our Revit model into Excel to calculate cost estimates. The advantage is that whenever we make changes to the BIM model, Flux can automatically update the spreadsheet.
- For Parallel Computing (Grasshopper > Grasshopper / Dynamo > Dynamo). When Grasshopper or Dynamo definitions grow large, they can become difficult to understand or slow to run. We can break these types of scripts into smaller pieces and connect the definitions using Flux. Each script can operate either in isolation or through a live data stream. We can also use this technique to free up our computer from the most computationally expensive scripts by running them on another machine.
More information on our website: http://www.apogeavirtualbuilding.com/flux/
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