Premium Product Design: Modeling a Harman Kardon Speaker

Free Rhino 3D & Grasshopper Course | Workflow Webinar 6.0

Welcome to the sixth module of our free Rhino 3D and Grasshopper course. In this 1.5-hour technical session, we deconstruct the Harman Kardon Neo. While the form looks simple, achieving the high-end "liquid" reflections requires Class A modeling techniques and G4 curvature continuity. We will also build a custom parametric acoustic texture to finish the design.

Download Files: cademy.xyz/webinar6

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What’s included in this lesson:

• Full Video Tutorial: Follow along with our 1.5-hour step-by-step recording.
• Project Files: Download the exact Rhino and Grasshopper files to practice.
• Expert Surfacing: Learn to use single-span Degree 9 curves for professional results.

What you will learn in this module:

• Class A Surfacing: How to construct single-span, high-degree curves (Degree 9) to ensure the highest surface quality possible in Rhino 3D.
• G4 Curvature Continuity: Moving beyond basic fillets to achieve perfect, seamless transitions between surfaces.
• Parametric Acoustic Textures: Using Grasshopper to create complex speaker grilles that distort dynamically across curved faces.
• Boundary Curve Attractors: Learning to use geometric boundaries to control and vary pattern density algorithmically.
• Professional Topology: Preparing a "clean" closed polysurface model for manufacturing and high-fidelity rendering.
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Step 1: Construct the Guide Curves

• Start from the top view to maintain proper proportions.
• Ensure precise dimensions between the curves.
• Model only one-quarter of the full shape to maintain symmetry.

Step 2: Create Blend Curves

• Use the Blend Curve tool to connect the guide curves.
• Aim for G4 continuity to ensure a smooth, high-quality transition.
• Generate a single-span, degree 9 curve for optimal precision.
• Check the curvature graph to ensure smooth fading.

Step 3: Mirror the Geometry

• Mirror the quarter section to complete the full circular shape.
• Ensure all mirrored segments align perfectly before proceeding.

Step 4: Rail Revolve

• Use the Rail Revolve command to create the main body.
• This will generate a single, closed surface with seamless curvature.

Step 5: Add Buttons

• Use solid modeling techniques to design the buttons.
• Offset the base curves and apply Boolean Difference to carve out button details.

Step 6: Split the Solid

• Divide the speaker into two halves to accommodate internal electronics.
• Add space for USB-C and AUX ports to maintain functionality.

Step 7: Apply Parametric Texture in Grasshopper

• Import the top surface into Grasshopper for parametric design.
• Use intersections and reference planes to define texture placement.
• Create a boundary curve attractor to distort rectangle patterns dynamically.

Step 8: Bake and Boolean

• Bake the extrusions from Grasshopper into Rhino.
• Use Boolean Difference to imprint the acoustic texture onto the surface.

Step 9: Final Assembly

• Combine all elements to create the final model.
• Ensure a clean topology before moving to rendering.

Step 10: Render in KeyShot

• Export the model to KeyShot for final visualization.
• Set up a custom studio using HDRI lighting for a polished, professional look.

Software & Manufacturing

• Software: Rhinoceros 3D, Grasshopper 3D, KeyShot.
• 3D Printing: Export watertight STL files, compatible with SLA + FDM techniques.

Thank you for reading ❤️