Rhino

by Shashidhar Pai, edits by Lucia Tian

Overview

Rhinoceros (typically abbreviated Rhino or Rhino3D) is a commercial 3D computer graphics and computer-aided design (CAD) application software. Rhinoceros geometry is based on the NURBS mathematical model, which focuses on producing mathematically precise representation of curves and freeform surfaces in computer graphics (as opposed to polygon mesh-based applications).

Rhinoceros is used for computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), rapid prototyping, 3D printing and reverse engineering in industries including architecture, industrial design (e.g. automotive design, watercraft design), product design (e.g. jewelry design) as well as for multimedia and graphic design.

We compare it to other VR designing softwares here.

Tutorials

Tutorial #1: 'Rhino Installation': Install and set up Rhino. Get Hands on Experience in Rhino 7

Tutorial #2: Rhino User's Guide

Tutorial #3: Practice file with robust command overview courtesy of Mara Jovanovic

Tutorial #4: Comparison between Rhino and SketchUp

Related Resources: How to download 3D map of any city

System Requirements

For development

OS: Windows 7 SP1+, 8, 10, 64-bit versions only; Mac OS X 10.9+

Software Requirements

8 GB memory (RAM) or more is recommended.
AMD graphics processor recommended on Intel Macs.
5 GB disk space.
A Multiple-button mouse with a scroll wheel is recommended.

Compatible VR Headsets

HTC Vive/Vive Pro, Value Index, Oculus Rift/Rift S, Oculus Link, or Oculus Quest(1 or 2)(Not officially supported but works)

Rhino Compatibility with Other Software

Rhino offers 29 CAD file formats for exporting and importing. Rhino software offers following file format which are built-in:

Metrics

Accessibility: The estimated time for someone to create design in Rhino and push to VR

Beginner: No design experience | 5+ hours
Intermediate: Some design experience | 3+ hours
Advanced: Have architectural and interior design experience | 2+ minutes

Usability

Computer-Aided Design (CAD): CAD software is used in computer to design, modify, and analyze various blueprint drawing.

Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM): also known as Computer-Aided Modeling or Computer-Aided Machining. CAM widely use to design Machine tools and gadgets for manufacturing and industrial use.

Rapid Prototyping: it Is a kind of Three Dimensional Computer Aided Design. Rapid Prototyping is a combination of many techniques to swiftly build a physical Model

3D Printing: it represents 3 Dimensional drawings and printing. By using the Additive Manufacturing technique, 3D CAD models are built.

Summary

Overall, Rhino is a very powerful architectural designing tool. Rhino or Rhinoceros 3D is a general-purpose CAD system, which is targeted mainly at freeform 3D modelling. It is specialised in NURBS modelling, but it also has toolsets for Mesh Modelling and (recently) Subdivision Modelling. It is not aimed at one particular domain but is widely used for architectural design, industrial design and specialised domains, such as shipbuilding and jewellery design.

Download

Brown Zoo server - Free on Brown WiFi, see installation

Commercial Full - single-user: US$ 995

Student Full - single-user: US$ 195