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Rhino

Rhino

Overview

What is Rhino?

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…

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

Rhino 3D has found a wide range of applications across multiple industries. One of its key use cases is in the field of architectural …
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Multi use 3D software

10 out of 10
March 23, 2020
Rhino assists in shoe performance analysis, application of leather textures (upper, which covers and protects the upper part of the foot) …
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Great for 3D

8 out of 10
January 16, 2020
Incentivized
I use Rhinoceros 3D as a design tool for studio and other architecture courses as a graduate student pursuing my Masters of Architecture. …
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Pricing

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Rhino 3D for Windows & Mac

$995

On Premise
one-time fee

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.rhino3d.com/en/sales/north…

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

Starting price (does not include set up fee)

  • $995 one-time fee
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Product Demos

ExactFlat for Rhinoceros 3D: Overview

YouTube
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Product Details

What is Rhino?

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.

Special features include:
  • Uninhibited free-form 3D modeling tools, or model any shape.
  • Accuracy needed to design, prototype, engineer, analyze, and manufacture anything from an airplane to jewelry.
  • Compatibility with other design, drafting, CAM, engineering, analysis, rendering, animation, and illustration software.
  • Read and repair meshes and extremely challenging IGES files.
  • Development platform for hundreds of specialty 3D products.
  • Available for Windows or Mac on a perpetual license for a one-time fee.

Rhino Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise
Operating SystemsWindows, Mac
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Rhino starts at $995.

Reviewers rate Support Rating highest, with a score of 7.5.

The most common users of Rhino are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(47)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

Rhino 3D has found a wide range of applications across multiple industries. One of its key use cases is in the field of architectural design, where it proves valuable during the early stages of concept design and 3D modeling involving complex geometry or parametric design. Users have praised Rhino 3D for its ability to provide true design freedom, without the limitations found in other 3D design programs, making it a popular choice among architecture students and professionals alike.

In addition to architecture, Rhino 3D is also highly valued in precision industries such as optics. Users have reported that the software excels in handling complex shapes and maintaining continuity, enabling them to produce intricate designs with precision. This makes Rhino 3D a powerful tool for industries where accuracy and attention to detail are paramount.

Another significant use case of Rhino 3D is its role as a programmable bridge between different AEC software. Users have found that the software's interoperability with Revit has improved, allowing for seamless integration and facilitating the translation of Rhino sketches into the Revit environment. This automation not only streamlines the construction document workflow but also saves time by automating repetitive tasks.

Furthermore, Rhino 3D's rendering capabilities have been praised by users for generating realistic images that enhance the visualization of designs. Architects and interior designers find this feature invaluable when presenting their ideas to clients, as it allows them to create visually stunning and immersive experiences that help clients envision the final outcome.

Overall, Rhino 3D's versatility and performance make it a go-to tool in various domains such as architectural design, industrial design, shipbuilding, jewelry design, optics, and more. Its ability to handle complex geometries, offer true design freedom, streamline workflows through automation, and produce visually appealing renderings has made it an essential part of many professionals' toolkits.

Versatile Feature Set: Many users have praised Rhino 3D for its wide range of features, including freeform modeling, parametric design, and seamless import/export capabilities. This versatility allows for flexibility in creating and modifying designs to meet specific needs.

Efficient Parametric Modeling: Reviewers appreciate the efficient parametric modeling capabilities of Rhino 3D, which enable easy modification of models. The integration with Grasshopper also allows for a rapid iterative process in designing, enhancing productivity and creativity.

Seamless Collaboration: Rhino 3D's lightweight models have been commended by users as they seamlessly integrate with other AEC software. This makes it easier to collaborate with professionals from various disciplines, enhancing communication and teamwork throughout the design process.

Limited 2D CAD functionality: Some users have found that Rhino 3D is not well optimized for pure 2D CAD drafting, with a number of reviewers suggesting that other software options may be more suitable for this purpose.

Challenges with compatibility: Several users have expressed frustration with the way drawings display in Rhino 3D compared to AutoCAD. This discrepancy can make it difficult for users who are accustomed to working in AutoCAD and may require additional effort to adjust to Rhino's display features.

Performance issues with parametric models: Numerous reviewers have reported experiencing slowdowns when working with extensive parametric models in Rhino 3D, resulting in decreased performance. This limitation can impact productivity and workflow efficiency for users handling complex projects.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-8 of 8)
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Stefan Boeykens | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
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.
  • Freeform modeling.
  • Parametric design.
  • Import and export to other 3D software.
  • For pure 2D CAD drafting, other software may be more optimised.
  • DWG support is decent, but drawings don't always display like they do in AutoCAD.
  • Very extensive parametric models really slow down the software.
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.
Antoine Carpentier, E.I.T | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
My organization uses Rhinoceros 3D in different ways:
  • When quickly iterating through different designs during the schematic design phase of a project.
    Rhino is perfect for parametric modeling. It allows to easily change for example the span of a bay, or the number of joists between two girders simply by using a slider.
  • As a presentation software.
    Most modeling software quickly feel sluggish when a project starts to grow big which can be a problem when sharing our model with stakeholders during live presentations. Rhino is always fast and smooth, making it ideal for this purpose.
  • As a programmable bridge between different AEC software we use.
    Thanks to Grasshopper (which is a user-friendly v
    isual programming language and environment included in Rhino), it is possible to automate various repetitive tasks and save time and some sanity when putting together construction documents.
    Rhino quickly becomes the central hub linking all your analysis models and Revit models together, allowing you to overlap them to highlight differences and even import elements from one model to another.
    There is a learning curve to Grasshopper but it allows the user to gain full control over the workflow of their modeling tasks.

  • Parametric modeling
  • Fully programmable
  • Lightweight models
  • Integration with other AEC software
  • Sharp learning curve
  • Not meant to create construction documents - need for another software
Rhinoceros 3D is very well-suited for buildings with repetitive bay layouts as a design can be quickly be updated (span, number of bay, height etc) simply by updating a couple numerical sliders.
It is also well suited to quickly update one model (for example Revit) based on the changes in another model (either another Revit model or an analysis model).

Rhinoceros 3D is not well-suited for teams that are not interested in learning GrassHopper as most of Rhino's value is in GrassHopper.
August 10, 2021

Start your own Zoo!

Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Rhinoceros 3D is used for rapid iteration and precision/unique modeling at our company. We use Revit for documentation, but there are many cases where Rhino is much easier and faster to take a look at things. With the latest version(s) of Revit, interoperability with Rhino has never been easier, so you can bring your Rhino sketches to life in the Revit world.
  • 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
  • Sometimes large files become slow to save
  • while it can beat the crap out of Revit in modeling, for documentation it is not as streamlined.
Rhino is definitely well suited for getting fast iterations out in the world for people to react to. it is also really nice if you can use grasshopper to be able to parametrically control geometry at your will. It is also great for then taking that geometry into Revit for final documentation. I would, however, want to document a whole set in Rhino, it would basically be like doing so in AutoCAD. While it lacks in that area, there are many young designers being trained in thinking outside the box with Rhino as their pencil. Without this artistic medium, I fear all buildings would become boring boxes.
March 23, 2020

Multi use 3D software

Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Rhino assists in shoe performance analysis, application of leather textures (upper, which covers and protects the upper part of the foot) and also the sole. It has an indispensable role in the evaluation of prototypes with 3D printing, reducing time and cost. After modeling, rendering can generate images like the ones we see on the side with extreme realism.
  • Rhinoceros has an internal renderer that features a good quality result.
  • Best cost-benefit in the market.
  • It doesn’t work on Mac.
  • It’s a very heavy software.
Rhinoceros 3D is well suited for interior design, architecture, product design, shoe design, packaging design, jewelry design, and graphic design.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Rhinoceros 3D is an essential tool in our office for architectural designers as well as the department of the interior. A majority of our clients wish to see the space before construction, and Rhinoceros 3D allows us to fully model and render the space for them to visualize. Whether it's a large scale building envelope design or a custom light fixture, Rhinoceros 3D can bring sketches to reality.
  • Large Scale Massing Studies
  • Custom Fixture Modeling
  • Space Visualization
  • Make2D images
  • Rhinoceros 3D for Mac
  • Unit precision
  • Point Accuracy
Rhinoceros 3D is an excellent tool for designers to conceptualize and study different design options quickly. Whether it's a large building in a city block or a small structure, Rhinoceros 3D is an excellent way to transform hand sketches into 3D visualizations. Rhinoceros 3D is excellent for concepts, but sometimes its lack of precision modeling makes it challenging to get accurate and precise forms like you would get in CAD or Revit. It is most appropriate in the design phase and less appropriate in the construction phase of architecture and interior design.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Rhino is used primarily for early-stage concept design studies and for 3D modeling that involves complex geometry or parametric design. Rhino is first and foremost a 3D modeling tool, secondly, a great parametric design tool when using the Grasshopper plugin, and third a great file converter due to its many supported formats.
  • 3D modeling of complex geometry.
  • Parametric design with Grasshopper.
  • File conversion of different 3D file types.
  • Rhino has very limited sheet layout tools.
  • Grasshopper could be better integrated into the main interface.
  • Lack of backwards file compatibility can be frustrating.
Rhino is a fantastic 3D modeler - intuitive and easy to use, but robust enough to be relied upon in a business setting. Rhino is best suited for complex geometry modeling tasks - such as double-curvature or parametrically-variable arrays. While Rhino (and Grasshopper) can be used for documentation of such complex designs, the method of documentation will often need to be designed from scratch along with the geometry, and so it may not be the most efficient tool for documentation in a professional architects' office.
January 16, 2020

Great for 3D

Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I use Rhinoceros 3D as a design tool for studio and other architecture courses as a graduate student pursuing my Masters of Architecture. Most students in the architecture department are suggested to use Rhino as it gives people true freedom in design and doesn't have the same restraints as other 3D design programs.
  • 3D modeling.
  • Ease of implementing plugin use.
  • Lineweights and layouts are difficult to use.
  • Could have more architectural elements.
I think Rhinoceros is well-suited in the earlier stages of design as a conceptual design phase tool, but less appropriate when one needs to get more specific and detailed. It is definitely not a good idea to use for construction drawings. I think it is a good tool to use in school, for architectural design competitions, and in the early stages of design when you are trying to get ideas across to clients.
Bob Householder | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I use Rhino3D almost daily in parallel with optical design and analysis software for creating complex geometry for LED optics. Rhino3D pairs very will with optics (and other precision industries) in its handling of complex shapes in a very simple way. The base freeform curves are Bezier (link below) and maintain continuity for a smooth shape making it excellent for optic forms.
  • Rhino3D is a great translator. I use it to take in customer models and then add optical components to it in a detailed and precise way.
  • Rhino3D has excellent workflow from curves to surfaces making the translation from optical to mechanical seamless.
  • Rhino3D can be paired with Grasshopper to create interesting and unusual geometry for aesthetic or functional purposes.
  • Although Rhino3D is a great modeler, it is not natively 3D parametric. I would like to to see this added without a plug-in.
  • Rhino3D 6 has better native rendering but that could always use improvement.
  • I would like to see a built-in interface for my Ultimaker 3D printer.
Rhino3D is very well suited for precision generative and surface based modeling tasks. The genius of McNeil was to make the 3DM an open standard with an accessible plug-in and scripting interface. The third-party tools are the best with Rhino3D. Be sure to check out Grasshopper. This is fun to use and very functional to create geometry.
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