7 Reasons Why Rhino is Better Than Other 3D Modelling Software - 2021

The software world is full of 3D programs. But how does a designer find the right one for themselves? A simple criterion for choosing software should be how well it allows you to develop your design freely, and the powerful Rhinoceros is one such tool to consider.In this article, we will guide you through the pros and cons of Rhino 3D modelling as compared to other software.

 

 

Image shows a curved silver building modelled in Rhino3d with silhouettes of people in the foreground

(Source: simplyrhino.com)

https://simplyrhino.co.uk/training/courses/rhino-level-2-for-architects-engineers

[Alt Text: 3D visualisation of a parametric facade]

 

1.      Made for All

 

Rhino is a NURB based software that works with curves rather than other conventional software like AutoCAD, Revit, etc that use line polygons. It provides precise and in-depth surface modeling for organic objects which other software like 3DS Max lack. Due to this feature, Rhino delivers high-quality 3D models and therefore attracts not just the architectural industry, but also fields like product design, fashion, automotive, multimedia, and graphic design.

 

[Read: Top 7 Design Professions Using Rhino 3D]

(Source: gfycat.com)

[Alt Text: Gif of a bearded man saying ‘Aye. I could do that.’]

2.      Smooth Transition from AutoCAD

 

A simple question that arises when thinking about learning new software is whether we will be able to grasp it. Fortunately for many professionals like architects, civil engineers, interior designers, and automotive designers who use Autodesk products, Rhino 3D Modelling helps users by providing command sequences just like in AutoCAD, thus delivering an easier shift. Even for non-AutoCAD users, Rhino is quite intuitive and user-friendly.

 

The AutoCAD Command Line

(Source: landfx.com)

https://www.landfx.com/docs/cad-basics/autocad-getting-started/item/2527-command-line.html

 

Duspviz Rhino Tutorial

(Source: pt.slideshare.net)

The Similarity in command sequence between AutoCAD and Rhino3D.

https://pt.slideshare.net/DUSPviz/duspviz-rhino/5

[Alt text: Screenshots of Rhino user-interface]

 

3.      All-in-One

 

It is generally quite labour intensive to go the conventional Sketchup route of generating a 2D plan, and then transforming that to 3D. Rhino has four viewports- top, front, right and perspective view.The viewport aids the user to work on a plan in the top viewport and its elevation in the right and front viewport simultaneously. Thus, this allows us the freedom to easily manipulate the drawing from various angles, saving a whole lot of time and energy.

 

Rhino/Grasshopper Integration – Bricsys Support and Help Center

The Presence of four viewports helps the user to visualize the project easily. (Source: help.bricsys.com)

https://help.bricsys.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025542454-Rhino-Grasshopper-Integration

[Alt text: Rhino User Interface showing four windows]

 

Users often prefer Revit over Rhino for drawing and modeling their projects because of the latter’s lack of documentation skills. But now, Rhino software comes with improved features and efficient documentation, giving stronger competition to Revit.

 

4.      Plug-ins for Everything

 

There are numerous plugins available online to enhance your design process and make Rhino even more powerful. Working on a new kind of file or data? Chances are that there’s already a plugin available for that. FoodforRhino is a great site available for free Rhino plugins.

 

To give you an example of parametric plugins, ‘Ladybug’ or ‘Honeybee’ are used for environmental analysis. These plugins conduct an accurate environment study based on the location of the site and generate alternate façade types based on the extreme weather conditions for the building.

 

[Read: 8 Awesome Rhino Plug-ins that Will Change Your Modelling Life]

Ladybug analysis the environmental parameters in Rhino Grasshopper (Source: arch2o.com)

https://www.arch2o.com/10-parametric-plugins-every-architect-should-know/

[Alt Text: Illustration showing workflow between Rhino/Grasshopper and Ladybug]

 

5.      Compatible with 3D Printers and Other Software

 

Rhino supports and reads an extensive range of file formats like DXF(AutoCAD), SKP(Sketchup), 3DS(3Dstudio), including STL, the most popular 3D printing file format. So, it makes the work easier on a file from different software or for transferring purposes. Many software like Sketchup, ArchiCAD, Revit, etc do not offer 3D printing options which makes it difficult for prototyping. Whereas with Rhino, you have available measurements, surface, geometric and other tools to make sure your model is prepared for 3D printing.

 

(Source: tenor.com)

[Alt Text: Character from TV show saying ‘That’s so cool!!’]

 

6.      Designer’s fantasy- Parametric Design

 

The iconic Zaha Hadid style or futuristic products that are always in the public eye often seem to be a bit challenging to design. The difficulty is due to the lack of flexibility in software that restricts the design flow. To ease this process, you can use Rhino 3D Modelling and become the master of your own object’s surface. Rhino offers mesh accuracy thanks to the curve modeling technology and while often using a widely-known plugin Grasshopper 3D is also used to design parametric objects.

 

[Read: 10 Fascinating Projects Created Using Rhino 3D You Need to Know About]

 

 

white and black concrete building

 

1. One Thousand Museum, Miami by Zaha Hadid Architects(Source: unsplash.com)

https://unsplash.com/photos/zAHihgDmqEM

[Alt Text: Skyscraper with flowing facade]   

 

2. Use of Parametricism in Fashion Technology (Source: parametric-architecture.com)

https://parametric-architecture.com/dragonfly-3d-printed-dress/

[Alt Text: Model wearing futuristic white dress]

 

7.      But What is the Cost?

 

Rhino software is not cheap, but compared to other tools with similar work performance, it’s definitely worth the price. It is known in software circles to provide excellent value for money, because of special educational discounts and licensing features. After the 90-day trial period, Rhinoceros offers a permanent license rather than a recurring one, which turns out to be economical and is something most other companies do not do.

 

(Source: tenor.com)

[Alt Text: Baby in a bathtub putting up his thumb with the caption ‘Good Deal’]

 

You can explore your design to a great extent with Rhino. No matter what project or industry you belong to, it has something for everyone. If interested, you can learn Rhino on various online platforms, one of which is the Rhino+Grasshopper course at Oneistox.

 

For more information, check out our free Ultimate Guide to Rhino 3D!

 

 


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