In this article about Rhino 3D, your questions will be answered about what the software is and how it can benefit you. The program has garnered significant buzz in the architecture and design industry ever since its release for its impressive ability to create models using a range of prompts and tools within the user interface.
So, no matter if you’re a seasoned architect and are looking to transition to Rhino or you’re hearing of the software for the first time, this article guides you through all the details.
What is Rhino 3D?
Rhino 3D is a computer based software that focuses on computational design. It is great for those who want to begin modeling and creating physical objects on the computer. It was developed by Robert McNeel Associates.
Their software is very well known in the design community and in particular the architecture community. Many firms and design practices use the software throughout the world and students are also taught how to use the software in universities.
You may have heard of the software being called a CAD (Computer Aided Design) software which could be used in Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM).
The software was developed using the NURBS computational model which you may be familiar with from using the software. This refers to the mathematical model that is known to be more precise as opposed to other models that focus on meshing rather than creating curves for each 3D object.
What can you use Rhino 3D for?
You may know that Rhino 3D is used in the design industry and can aid architects, industrial workers such as those working in civil engineering or automotive design, or even professionals like graphic or jewellery designers.
However, this poses the question of what do these people actually use the software for? To answer, it varies on the professional but examples include creating models for buildings, drafting models for the final product in the case of product designers, or even simplifying models for testing for those who are looking at moving objects such as automotive designers.
This includes making realistic models of the final building that can be looked at in the realistic orientation that it would appear in real life in the case of an architect. This is super useful as it can show that the building will look a certain way when it is built and helps those looking to work on the building to visualize and find problems before all the investment to actually build the model is done in real life.
How the Rhino 3D canvas works to begin modeling
You will be able to use the Rhino software in any way you choose but no matter what, each project will always start with an X and Y axis, and if you want to operate in a 3D plane, an X, Y and Z axis. It is important to remember that north will always refer to the green line and east will always lie in the direction of the red line on the canvas.
There is also a range of ways to view your canvas which can be toggled by clicking the arrow on the top of the canvas of every viewport. These options include Wireframe, Shaded, Rendered, X-ray, Ghosts, Technical, Artistic, Pen, Arctic and Raytraced. Adding to this, they can all be changed to your liking by toggling further settings.
All in all, in the default version of Rhino, you can expect your viewport to look somewhat like this!
Modeling 3D objects
Representing things in a 3D manner is probably the easiest way to show off the software of Rhino. Not only do you have to use the tools that allow you to bend the model in your Rhino canvas, but you can also use scripting based on computational design, known as parametric design.
Tools like the Box, Sphere and Surface tools are all great places to start when trying to create an object to represent what you want. The great thing about the software is you can draft ideas you may have straight on the canvas as there is no need to finalize a model. With an infinite amount of canvas space for every file, there is an unlimited number of ways you can represent each object.
Modeling 2D objects
While Rhino is better known for the software’s ability to create 3D objects, it serves a good purpose in being able to create 2D art, floor plans and templates that are useful for exporting to other software or for further modeling perhaps on other equipment.
For example, for those doing graphic design or architecture, it would be common to use the software to create templates to transfer to machinery to create physical models such as laser cutters, 3D printers or perhaps CNC machines if you have the facilities to do so.
In this sense, Rhino isn’t just a software to create fancy 3D models, it’s used as a 2D software where designers can get creative using just one plane too. Software like Vectorworks (used to create architectural floor plans) also use this two dimensional format to create a platform that is beneficial for architects in this sense so files can be transferred from one to another with ease in the design process.
Best PC to use for Rhino 3D
If you ask anyone who works with Rhino on a regular basis, they will tell you that the software is quite graphics intensive as well as needing a lot of processing power through the core of a laptop.
This can get even more necessary when you work with scripts or additional plugins such as Lumion which require even more processing ability and graphical power to produce the right image you want.
Therefore, you should definitely go for a laptop that has a built in graphics card that is mid to top of the range or alternatively, buy a computer with a processor with integrated graphics within it. You do not want to be waiting for ages while you render your model or have your Rhino software crash and worse yet lose the amount of progress you have made on your model.
Picking the right computer or laptop to begin with can fix this.
In terms of screen, going for a laptop that has a high resolution is wise to make sure you’re able to see all of the details of your model and going for a larger screen will be useful as some of the details on the software can get quite hard to process.
Nonetheless, using a monitor alongside your laptop is also a great way to make sure you’re able to see all the technical details as you use the software.
So, without naming specific laptop names, having a middle of the range to top of the range processor and graphics card and then considering a larger screen size if you personally prefer it is a good general place to start from.
Rhino 7 system requirements
Understanding what the system requirements are for the purchase of a computer to use the software on is a good place to start or at least refer to when making a decision. These requirements represent the bare minimum requirements for a computer to run the software at all and do not refer to how well the software runs.
In other words, Rhino only is eligible for download with these requirements and it would be wise to choose a device that surpasses these metrics if possible:
- 8GB of Random Access Memory (RAM)
- 64-bit Intel Core / AMD processor
- 600MB of free disk space
For those who are looking for an apple device to download Rhino 3D, the respective software requirements are:
- Intel Mac or Apple Silicon Mac
- 8GB of Random Access Memory (RAM)
- 5 GB of free disk space
Should you buy a Mac or Windows computer for Rhino 3D?
In general, especially for those using Rhino for architecture, a windows computer is preferable. This is due to most of the plugins and software additions being most compatible with windows devices as Microsoft is an older software and a lot of the software that was built for Rhino started its production on the Microsoft System.
This is a shame for those who like to use Mac but if you are considering a career in the future that used Rhino, for example, if you are set on becoming an architect, it would be a bonus to learn the windows platform as early as you can.
Rhino 3D plugins
Plugins are downloadable additions to the Rhino system that are there to enhance the capability of the software. For example, if you want to find out the environmental performance of a model you have made in Rhino, you could download the Grasshopper plugin.
This is perhaps the most well known plugin or software addition and there are a variety of other plugins that are able to be added to the software through Grasshopper too. This includes a variety of other animal-based names like Honeybee, Ladybug and even Kangaroo! Read our article on useful software plugins if you want to learn more.
Rhino 3d textures
Another way you can customize the appearance of your model besides using plugins is by using textures. This involves creating different textures using the Textures panel in the Rhino dashboard which can be saved and applied to any Rhino model you are working on to give it a unique appearance.
In this way, you can forgo exporting your model into another software in order to render it and instead, with a bit of computing power within the platform, you can toggle the transparency, texture, color and even finish of your model and even drag in images from the internet or on your computer to add to your textures panel too.
What are the file formats in Rhino?
You may be wondering what type of file Rhino uses, traditionally, most CAD software such as Google Sketchup or Autodesk will export in a 3DM format (.3dm). This is so it can be integrated with other software and also be used with machinery such as 3D printers which is what a lot of CAD software is used for.
However, there is a range of other formats that are supported by Rhino which are listed on the Wikipedia page for the software here. Either way, you should be able to convert to other types of files if necessary by using online conversion tools or downloading plugins that are designed to deal with these types of transfers.
How to download Rhino models
A cool thing about the Rhino software is you can download the 3D models of other people who have created models before and open up their creation straight away.
This is perfect if you are looking for a template to work from or need to make slight alterations to something in order to get the design you’re looking for without having to waste time modeling everything from scratch. By doing a quick google search of the term “free RHino models” you should be able to find a range of resources.
In particular, if you’re looking to find stock images for your models such as trees, humans or furniture to add context to a model, this is a great way to save some time as these types of objects don’t particularly need any designing.
Is Rhino 3D free?
For most users of Rhino, it is not free and you will have to pay a few hundred dollars for the latest version of Rhino. On the Rhino website you can find here, you will be able to find the latest version of the software and its pricing based on whether you are a student, school or you’re using it for commercial use.
However, you can find the Rhino software for free for 90 days if you are a student, you’d have to input your university email address and continue with the verification process for download. This is great if you don’t have an income and are looking to save some money throughout your studies. Having said this, the full version for students is severely discounted anyway.
What is the latest version of Rhino 3D?
The latest version of Rhino is Rhino 7 which was released in Q4 2020. This initially came with a lot of errors but as of 2023, the software is extremely smooth and there is a range of additions that the Rhino 6 software cannot do.
So, how long will you have to wait for Rhino 8? Well, it seems that a new version of the software is released every 3-4 years so you may have to wait for late 2023 or perhaps 2024 for Rhino 8. Either way, Rhino 7 is extremely bug free and even when the Rhino 8 software does come out, it will not be a while before you’d feel the need to make the transition from Rhino 7.
New releases are not always the best because they will need to get through a troubleshooting phase anyway.
How to get Rhino 3D cheaply
Currently, the cheapest way to use Rhino is if you are a student because you can benefit from the heavily discounted version of the software. The software for students is just €95 – €195 depending on if you would like to purchase the old version or the new version.
Also, students can try the software for 90 days before their license expires too.
If you think your employer should be paying for the software, then this is another way you can cheaply afford to pay for the software. However, even for those who want to purchase the software commercially for €995, if Rhino 3D is something you use a lot of the time, it can be well worth spending the money.
Rhino 7 crack
Like all software with a price tag on it, people develop cracks where that interfere with the download code so you don’t have to add a license key or pay for the software. It could be argued that this is therefore the cheapest way of getting the software but it is not recommended you go through this route.
Downloads like this often come with viruses and may interfere with the function of our computer or laptop over time. However, cracks are always going to be a riskier option, so if you do choose to ignore advice, the most you can do is be careful and make sure the software isn’t making big changes to your computer upon download as this is often a big indicator of a virus.
In addition, installing virus protection software can be a way to reduce the risk.
Rhino 3D download
If you’re struggling to find the website of the Rhino 3D software, click here to be taken straight to the download page. Here you can select what county you’re from if it doesn’t do it automatically and a breakdown of the pricing of the software will be displayed.
Alternatively, you can search for dealers of Rhino who sell license keys second hand from people who perhaps needed to use the software temporarily and no longer need it anymore. These “dealers” will often sell their license keys for a reduced rate and perhaps sell bundles to download. Perfect for if you need to purchase multiple license keys at once.
Best ways to learn Rhino 3D
Once you have the software, it is hard to begin familiarizing yourself with the platform and begin understanding how to produce the 3D models you see in the portfolio pages of your colleagues or peers. To start, you can start by checking out some architectural modeling exercises which are there to help you learn the platform.
The rate in which you use the software will be dependent on how naturally it comes to you as well as if you are able to resolve any errors you may encounter as you begin modeling.
Being able to have someone to speak to about your errors who knows where you’re going wrong can be a great way to accelerate the learning process. This is where things like courses come in to play and why it is useful for you to go to university to learn software like this so you can gain access to lecturers and [professionals who are experts in CAD.
Either way however, actively getting stuck in with design is the best way to learn as no amount of Youtube videos or watching tutorials will give you the skills you need to learn the software from A to Z.
Rhino 3D online course
To find the right type of course for your liking, great places to start include looking on Skillshare you can find here or even clicking here to find resources available to you on LinkedIn Learning.
These are platforms where you can access extremely cheap training for free or extremely cheap that is often a better quality to what you may find on Youtube.
In addition to this, searching in your local area for Rhino courses that you can attend in person is a great way to get an in-depth, immersive introduction on how to use Rhino. Having said this, the problem with courses like this is everyone will be at a different level of understanding so it may be hard to keep up or you may find you don’t learn much at all.
Books on Rhino 3D
How useful it may be to learn software like Rhino in a book is up for debate as some may find it a waste of time to read about the software when you can actively use the software to learn it instead. Also, it may be hard to find specific issues in the book to refer to if you encounter a problem.
When you compare this to simply searching for the problem on the internet, you may find it tedious and a waste of time. There is little shortage of information nowadays online so what is the advantage of a book? Well, if you decide to learn from a book, make sure there are exercises to complete and tutorials to follow as it can be hard to retain all of the information in a book without actually using the software.
This is where using a book does make sense, by following along and learning as you go. Not completely relying on the words on the page for your learning.
Advantages of Rhino 3D
As you may be aware, there is a range of other 3D modeling software on the market. So what are the benefits of the Rhino?
Parametric script design
Rhino comes with the Grasshopper plugin which provides an infinite number of ways to design parametrically. Parametric design is simply the use of rules within code that determine the outcome of the design based on the user’s input.
For example, toggling certain features within a line of JavaScript code (which is what Grasshopper uses) can create a different design without the user having to manually mold the model in any way. No other software on the market does this as well as Rhino and a lot of design firms use the software alongside other software specifically just for parametric modeling.
Because of this, Rhino can then be used to design based on data, for example, if there is specific data that can be gathered about the footfall of a building, the sunlight of a building, or even the wind. A building can be designed, based on code in the right way to meet the needs of the user with computational accuracy.
This is a more modern way of design that has been called for as designers look to make better use of technology to influence our built environment and produce concepts unattainable by a human and in line with the environment.
Integration with other AEC software
Because of the file type of Rhino being.3dm, it can be easy for the software to integrate well with other computer aided design software or machines built for computer aided manufacturing.
Aside from the file type, the user interface can also be used easily through a range of devices as the system requirements are very basic. This makes Rhino desirable for designers who work with a range of mediums and larger offices where multiple people need to work on one file using a range of devices and operating systems.
No post-production required
When using Rhino, it is easy to add textures to the model you are using to add a realistic feel to the model as you go. While this can significantly slow down the software if you do this at the wrong time, it removes the need to export the model to another software or implement different plugins in order to give the model the right production quality.
Easy to add further plugins
Perhaps the most desirable reason for using Rhino is the range of plugins available that expand the use of the software significantly. Many of these softwares can be downloaded from third parties but some are also developed alongside the Rhino software by the founders to make sure there is a range of use for Rhino.
This ensures the software is able to be used for modeling that relates to the real world. Plugins that are being developed by Mcneel include those related to temperature, wind and Radiation. For architects, this is essential to developing a model and producing accurate analysis based design.