Construction as Alchemy
This page is currently a work in progress.
We are updating this resource so please check back soon!
NExT Lab Team.
The Construction as Alchemy Introduction Slides are hosted on Github and available here:
The Microsoft HoloLens is an inside-out tracking headset which uses spatial mapping to map out surfaces as a mesh.

Figure 1.0 - Mesh Construction
The starter Hololens guide can be found here; familiarise yourself with the handling of the headset and the gestures used to interact with the system.

Figure 2.0 - Fologram
Fologram is a tool which integrates the HoloLens with Rhino3d. It allows a user to virtually project the geometry within Rhino into a physical environment.
- 1.Ensure devices are on the same network, this will usually be UniWireless.
- 2.Open your file in Rhino
- 3.On the HoloLens,
bloom
and runFologram
- 4.In Rhino, run
Fologram
in the command line and clickConnect a Device
- 5.A QR Code should pop up on screen.
- 6.Back in the Hololens, look at the screen with Rhino to Scan the QR Code
- 7.Tap to place your geometry for now.
QR codes are available for download here. You will be required to download and use the provided Construction as Alchemy Casa QR Templates available for download below in both PDF and Rhino format.
QRCodeCASATemplate.pdf
28KB
PDF
QR Code Casa Template PDF
Fologram QR CASA Template.zip
6KB
Binary
Fologram Casa Template
QR codes are a representation of the Rhino Construction Plane and allows users to project their geometry accurately and consistently into the physical environment with reference to the Rhino origin point.

Figure 2.1 - QR code placed on corner of CASA Template
Follow these instructions for Generating QR codes, placing your model and making adjustments / re-placing.
Figure 2.2 - QR code example
Fologram allows you to preview and modify materials, scale and position of your Rhino model in real time in mixed reality.
Fologram allows you to preview and modify Rhino Layers in real time in mixed reality. This can be a good way of rapidly moving between different layers in your file, and turning different brick courses on or off.
- 1.Recording video from Fologram for Mobile
- 2.Recording your screen on Mobile
- 3.Recording and Streaming Mixed Reality capture from the HoloLens using Device Portal
- 4.Streaming using Miracast
Click the
IP Address
to open Mixed Reality Capture. Username:
msdhololens
Password: msdhololens
Fologram allows you to preview and modify materials, scale and position of your Rhino model in real time in mixed reality.
Fologram allows you to preview and modify Rhino Layers in real time in mixed reality. This can be a good way of rapidly moving between different layers in your file, and turning different brick courses on or off.
Fologram allows you to share your mixed reality experiences by placing shared models in the same location. Follow these instructions for how to connect multiple devices.
- 1.Recording video from Fologram for Mobile
- 2.Recording your screen on Mobile
- 3.Recording and Streaming Mixed Reality capture from the HoloLens using Device Portal
- 4.Streaming using Miracast
Click the
IP Address
to open Mixed Reality Capture. Username:
msdhololens
Password: msdhololens
Fologram allows you to share your mixed reality experiences by placing shared models in the same location. Follow these instructions for how to connect multiple devices.
Arrange breps in to layers based on their height.
Fologram will display anything in the viewport.
- 1.Arrange your brick wall in to layers based on their Z-Height.
- 2.Use layer visibility, or the
hide
command, to control the visibility of objects in Rhino. - 3.If you are using the NExT Lab CASA template, move your geometry +500 mm along the x-axis.
Fologram QR CASA Template_ExampleWall.zip
117KB
Binary
Download Example file here
- You can collect a template from the NExT Lab.
- Next Lab Sessions run from 1pm to 4pm
- If there are no NExT Lab sessions available, you can loan a HoloLens out from the Loans Desk.
- There might not always be space in the NExT Lab
- The NExT Lab staff are not teaching staff and will not always be able to help. We will try our best.
- 2.
- 3.In Rhino, show/hide layers as required.
Please ONLY use this template if you are familiar with Grasshopper
A simple grasshopper definition which categorises geometry into layers based on their Z-Height has been made available. Only use this definition if you are comfortable working in Grasshopper.
Download the example file here:
01042019_CASA_BrickStacking.gh
137KB
Text
Construction as Alchemy Brick Stacking Fologram Example (GRASSHOPPER)