Question 1

What is Axolotl and what structural types does it generate in Grasshopper?

Accepted Answer

Axolotl is a Grasshopper plugin for generating Auxetic structures, beam-based lattices and repeating geometric patterns used in computational structural and product design. It provides cell-based structure generation for parametric lattice design where control over unit cell geometry and distribution is needed for functional 3D-printed structural performance. At PAACADEMY, it is taught in Structural Evolution by Nolan Kim.

Question 2

What are Auxetic structures and how are they used in footwear design?

Accepted Answer

Auxetic structures have a negative Poisson's ratio, expanding laterally when stretched rather than contracting. In footwear design, this enables midsole and upper structures with tunable directional deformation behavior. At PAACADEMY, Structural Evolution by Nolan Kim teaches Auxetic structure design using Axolotl in Grasshopper, with case studies from New Balance, Adidas, Puma and Formlabs showing production applications.

Question 3

How does Axolotl differ from Chromodoris for parametric structural design in Grasshopper?

Accepted Answer

Axolotl generates Auxetic structures and beam-based lattices through cell-based parametric geometry tools. Chromodoris generates triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) through isosurface meshing from implicit functions. At PAACADEMY's Structural Evolution course, both are used for different structural families: Axolotl for Auxetics and beam lattices, Chromodoris for TPMS structures like Gyroid and Schwartz surfaces.