Perlin noise is a gradient noise function that has been widely used in computer graphics, procedural generation, and various other applications to generate natural-looking patterns. Here is my brief exploration of the Perlin Noise Generator. Although I didn’t fully follow the traditional steps the result looks similar. I started with the square grid and generated random gradient vectors on every grid corner. Then, I implemented the original algorithm’s dot product method. To calculate the value of a point in this 2D space, I choose the four closest vectors. Plus, I created four more vectors that have tails on the corners and tips on the point in question. Then, I calculated the dot products between these four corners and four gradient vectors. After this, I quit using the traditional algorithm (the interpolation and ease function). Instead, I finished the algorithm by just calculating the linear interpolations of those dot products.

This Grasshopper definition generates random terrain models by using my noise generator explained above. I used the Move and Mesh components to generate the result. You can play with the overall height multiplier to make it more mountainous or flat. The output is a single mesh surface in Rhinoceros. The code is using native Grasshopper components. Thus, no add-ons are necessary for it to work.

You can rebuild the definition by looking at the diagram above. However, if you want to support this website by downloading my Grasshopper file; would you consider being my Patreon? Here is the link to my Patreon page including the working Grasshopper files for the Perlin Noise Generator and more.