Creating generative vector patterns in Illustrator (inspired by Grasshopper)

Forum|Forum|10 months ago
May 23, 2025
3 replies
554 views

Hi!
I’m looking to recreate Grasshopper-style generative patterns in Adobe Illustrator — flat, 2D, and SVG-compatible. I’d like to automate or script the process, with control over things like scale, spacing, and rounded edges.

Has anyone explored this kind of workflow in Illustrator? Any plugins, scripts, or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Others

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

The closest you can get to parametric design in Illustrator is using the Appearance panel with effects.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

Example:

G

Guillaume_Andr�Author

Participant

Thanks for your answer! But I think the fonction I want isn't in Illustrator 🥲
I'll find another way

kglad

Community Expert

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

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Monika Gause

Community Expert

So that one is kind of a shaded isometric box made with halftone squircles. The overall shape is a rectangle.

Which part of that should be automated or modularized?

G

Guillaume_Andr�Author

Participant

Thanks! Just to clarify, I’m not trying to do halftone effects.

I’m looking to recreate the kind of parametric design you can do in Grasshopper: placing and transforming shapes based on rules and parameters (like spacing, size, or distance). Basically, I want to generate vector patterns in Illustrator with control over the logic behind them.

Has anyone tried something similar with scripts or plugins?

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