NanoCAD vs. Rhino 3D

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
NanoCAD
Score 9.4 out of 10
N/A
NanoCAD is a free to use design software including both 2D and 3D design features. NanoCAD also includes premium features that users can upgrade to as needed.N/A
Rhino
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
Robert McNeel and Associates headquartered in Seattle offers Rhinoceros 3D (or Rhino 3D), a 3D modeling and design application. Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS curves, surfaces and solids, subdivision geometry (SubD), point clouds, and polygon meshes.
$995
one-time fee
Pricing
NanoCADRhino 3D
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Rhino 3D for Windows & Mac
$995
one-time fee
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
NanoCADRhino
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details—Discount available for students and faculty.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
NanoCADRhino 3D
Top Pros

No answers on this topic

Top Cons
Features
NanoCADRhino 3D
Computer-Aided Design Software
Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Product A and Product B
NanoCAD
-
Ratings
Rhino 3D
4.5
1 Ratings
39% below category average
3D Modeling00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
2D Drafting00 Ratings2.01 Ratings
Rendering and Visualization00 Ratings4.01 Ratings
Parametric Design00 Ratings5.01 Ratings
Collaboration and Sharing00 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Compatibility with other software and formats00 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Assembly Design00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Simulation and Analysis00 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Documentation and Annotation00 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Customization and Extensions00 Ratings4.01 Ratings
Best Alternatives
NanoCADRhino 3D
Small Businesses
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.0 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.0 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 9.0 out of 10
Enterprises
AutoCAD
AutoCAD
Score 8.8 out of 10
AutoCAD
AutoCAD
Score 8.8 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
NanoCADRhino 3D
Likelihood to Recommend
9.4
(2 ratings)
8.1
(9 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
7.5
(4 ratings)
User Testimonials
NanoCADRhino 3D
Likelihood to Recommend
NanoSoft Ltd.
It is great when cleaning up CAD files and allowing for 3rd party add-ins. It allows you to delete used layers. It would be nice if it saved to smaller file sizes when saving as an older DWG. It is easy to scale drawings and make floor plan layouts. It would be nice if it would pick up the default units that I set for my preference when opening up a converted file from pdf.
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Robert McNeel and Associates
One of the main highlights of Rhino is the built-in visual programming system "Grasshopper". It is widely used for parametric architectural design, by a variety of world-class architectural offices. It is also very popular within architectural schools and universities. Its usefulness has increased a lot by having add-ins, plug-ins, scripts, and integrations with Revit and ARCHICAD for BIM workflows.
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Pros
NanoSoft Ltd.
  • Easy to use
  • Great for Drafting
  • Opens all CAD files from other systems
  • Same commands as other CAD programs
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Robert McNeel and Associates
  • Parametric Modeling - Grasshopper allows for easy/rapid iterative process
  • White box renders display - looks great as a quick diagram export with no post-production required.
  • robust command prompts - rhino was originally made for industrial design and it flexes a lot of unique modeling commands that put it up there with SolidWorks
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Cons
NanoSoft Ltd.
  • It lacks some functions that AutoCAD has, but for the price, it could be worth it on your end.
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Robert McNeel and Associates
  • Rhino has very limited sheet layout tools.
  • Grasshopper could be better integrated into the main interface.
  • Lack of backwards file compatibility can be frustrating.
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Likelihood to Renew
NanoSoft Ltd.
We like NanoCAD for what it does for us and will renew or license when the time comes. There is no question of doubt because we are very happy with it.
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Robert McNeel and Associates
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
NanoSoft Ltd.
No answers on this topic
Robert McNeel and Associates
A majority of the support for Rhinoceros 3D does not come from the company itself, but from online forums and boards where other Rhinoceros 3D users outline their issues and solutions. The Rhinoceros 3D website does not offer much in-depth support and just outlines general how to's. At the same time, online forums allow for more specific issues to be addressed and solved by the Rhinoceros 3D community.
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Alternatives Considered
NanoSoft Ltd.
NanoCAD has been the best solution after using other high-priced software systems. It has all the tools I need and no need to upgrade my computer system. I run it on a Windows 11, Core i5 Computer with 8 gb of ram and integrated graphics with no issues. It does not use up much space in my ssd.
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Robert McNeel and Associates
It's hard to compare Rhino to other modeling software as Rhino is in a niche of its own. No other software (to my knowledge) is as customizable/programmable and has such a large community and such a large amount of free, open-source addons. Rhino (and Grasshopper) can be intimidating at first but once you get familiar with it and grow your toolbox with your own scripts, so much time will be saved
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Return on Investment
NanoSoft Ltd.
  • It's free to use
  • No need to buy special high end computers
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Robert McNeel and Associates
  • Right away Rhino3D is useful for simple and accurate 3D model import, repair and export all in a variety of formats.
  • Rhino3D is easy to use and learn. The time to productivity is very short with this modeling tool.
  • The price is low for the value received, a great investment.
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ScreenShots