ExactFlat for Rhino - Free Mini Course

Improve your pattern-making in Rhino with the ExactFlat for Rhino 3D plugin.
Make digital patterns the easy way. ExactFlat will show you how.
The ExactFlat for Rhino Mini Course is free.

ExactFlat for Rhino 3D features include:

1. Design in Rhino or import from laser scans or other 3D CAD packages.
2. Accurately flatten complex 3D surfaces into production-ready 2D flat patterns.
3. Add precision alignment notches, darts, seams, and grain lines in seconds.
4. Export in standard DXF formats to create output for cutters or 2D fabric CAD packages.
   More features.

Questions? Email Mark Jewell.

Environmental simulation in Rhino with Pollination from Ladybug Tools

We're so excited to share that Rhino and Ladybug Tools users now have access to a new, user-friendly plugin for environmental simulation called Pollination. Created by the developers of Ladybug Tools, the Pollination ecosystem extends Rhino's superior modeling capabilities by giving users the ability to assign environmental simulation data to geometry. You can quickly build, visualize, and validate geometrically complex models before running energy, daylight, thermal comfort, or other environmental simulations in parallel with your design model for real-time insight. 

Use the plugin as a stand-alone desktop application or combine it with Pollination's cloud-computing capabilities, verified simulation recipes, and collaboration features for an unparalleled environmental analysis experience. Ladybug Tools users will find a seamless integration between the Ladybug Tools Grasshopper plugin and the Pollination Rhino plugin. Fully-detailed energy and Radiance models created in Rhino can be sent to Grasshopper as Honeybee models for custom simulation, parametric analysis, and data visualization.

Join the upcoming Pollination User Meetup on May 26, 2022, at 11 am EST to learn about leveraging Pollination to make your existing Ladybug Tools and Rhino workflows more effortless and collaborative.

Register for Pollination User Meeting...

SURPIK3D - nNw stitching tool for Rhino

SURPIK3D is a new plugin for Rhino and Grasshopper for digital designers in CMF, textile and leather industries (footwear, leather goods, apparel, interior design, furniture, automotive, aircraft, and more) who need to quickly generate stitching and splitting on soft parts of a 3D model for technical or rendering purposes.

You can configure different types of stitching and splitting thanks to the parameters in the user interface and get these as real geometries.

Download SURPIK3D from food4Rhino...

VisualARQ Inside.Revit video

The Rhino.Inside.Revit technology allows you to run Rhino and VisualARQ inside Revit. Using Grasshopper as a bridge, the Rhino geometry and VisualARQ objects can travel back and forth from Rhino to Revit.

The VisualARQ.Inside Revit workflow offers a simple way to make this conversion by providing the Grasshopper definitions needed to transfer all the geometry and information with just one single click.

With this workflow you will be able to:

• Transfer all the VisualARQ objects from VisualARQ to Revit
• Transfer Rhino geometry from VisualARQ to Revit
• Use the IFC VisualARQ features to tag Rhino geometry with an IFC type so that it will be transferred to Revit as if you had exported to IFC
• For some objects (walls, slabs, doors, and windows), their styles will be automatically transferred as Revit types so that they will be Revit native objects
• Transfer all the VisualARQ parameters associated to objects with their values
• Update all this information anytime

Download the definition and watch the video...

New Rhino 7 and V-Ray 5 videos by SimplyRhino UK

SimplyRhino UK has been kind enough to share new videos about Rhino 7 and V-Ray 5:

Watch the videos now...

Bella 22.3 for Rhino released

Diffuse Logic is pleased to announce the public release of Bella 22.3, which introduces its new Saturn solver. 

The Saturn solver is built on a novel new architecture, which enables fast, fully spectral rendering, as well as the ability to stop at a given perceptual noise level and use the same solver for preview and production rendering. With CPU performance on par with some GPU renderers, Saturn, which features native support for Apple Silicon, also serves as the basis for the ongoing development of hybrid CPU/GPU support in Bella.

Additional features introduced in this release include an optical vignetting element that simulates cat-eye bokeh, simulation of sensor noise and film grain, the ability to override transmittance color when using measured complex IOR data which can be especially useful when rendering gemstones, as well as various enhancements to the Bella GUI application. 

As always, Bella 22.3 is freely available to demo with no time limit.

Complete details...

Download the eval on food4Rhino...

Lands Design inside Revit, a BIM landscape design solution for Revit

 

Asuni is glad to announce that Lands Design's powerful terrain modeling tools and Grasshopper components now work inside Revit. Thanks to the Rhino.Inside Revit integration, Lands Design objects can be recognized as BIM objects in Revit. 

The above video explains step by step how to integrate your Rhino landscape project in Revit.  

Find here the Grasshopper definitions to transfer Lands Design objects to Revit...

New release for BobCAM for Rhino

 

Version 2 of BobCAM for Rhino is now available to download. With the release of V2, their new 5-axis premium module is now available for all BobCAD-CAM’s product families.  

New toolpath technology and workflow reduces programming time and simplifies processes while expanding machining capabilities—the ultimate toolpath bundle for job shop manufacturers programming 3, 4, or 5-axis CNC machines.

“I am so excited for users to their hands-on BobCAD-CAM’s new products. Every customer will find enhancements and new features to get their NC programs to the machine faster and easier! There was a lot of focus on the usability, all the way up to new cutting strategies for shops who are pushing machines to their limits.” Greg Myers, Director, R&D, BobCAD-CAM, Inc., developer of BobCAM for Rhino.

New efficiency and improvements:

• Deburring. Automatically create toolpath to trim complex edges or apply chamfers/fillets to part feature edges when posting in 3, 4, or 5-axis.
• Probing. Simplify and automate the process of programming, simulating, and posting CNC probing cycles.
• Auto 3+2 Roughing. Index roughing for 5-axis using automatic, semi-automatic, or manual direction of approach.
• 3-5 Axis Conversion. Apply automatic 5-axis tilting for 3-axis tool paths.
• Turn Mill. Faster material removal for Mills and Mill-Turn Machines where both the stock and tool spin to increasing surface speed. Machine part profiles result in less chip consideration and faster cycle times.
• Multiaxis Machining. New finishing strategies added to what was previously called Multiaxis Roughing.  Now users can choose from roughing and finishing options with specific tool paths for wall and floor finishing.
• Multiblade. New advanced optimized operations for 5-axis machining of impellers and blisks.   Specific operations to rough and finish blades, hubs, and fillets.
• Port Machining. New advanced optimized operations specific for CNC port machining require minimal user input.

BobCAM for Rhino works on Rhino 6 or greater. It is localized in eight language packs: English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Czech, Italian, and Portuguese. 

More information about the latest enhancements to BobCAM For Rhino...

Or call 877-262-2231

Announced: Winner of VisualARQ BIM Design Student Contest 2022

Asuni is pleased to announce the winner of the second edition of the VisualARQ BIM Design Student Contest 2022.

The winner of this year’s edition is Zhen Zixu, a fourth-year student at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, who presented a museum of traditional Chinese medicine, a project inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, history, and culture.

Zhen Zixu appreciates how VisualARQ helped build a complete workflow and emphasizes the connection with Grasshopper.

Check out the entire project...

Getting to know... Toggle: Reimagining rebar fabrication

Toggle is an American firm that is reimaging rebar fabrication with the help of robots and computational design tools such as Grasshopper and ShapeDiver.

In this interview, Daniel Blank and Andreas Thoma talk about how they got inspired to start this company after witnessing how wind turbines are built, how they got $100K in funding and basically hacked their way until they found Product-Market Fit, plus how COVID forced them to have a "work from anywhere" mentality. Finally, they have a word of advice to all new founders on navigating the intricate world of startups and funding rounds.

Read the complete interview...

New Rhino book: "Modelação Clássica e por Subdivisão em Rhinoceros 7"

João Monteiro has published a new book (in Portuguese): Modelação Clássica e por Subdivisão em Rhinoceros 7.

809 pages with the basics, classic NURBS modeling, and a second part dedicated to the new SubD tools.

While the book focuses on 3D modeling of objects, it also includes an introduction on obtaining photorealistic images from them using the available tools in Rhinoceros, as well as importing and modifying models created in other CAD programs. Most of the proposed exercises are based on reference images, on which the models are built, being available to download through a link presented in the text. The book was written based on the Windows version of Rhinoceros, but Mac users can also use it.

Buy now the online version on Amazon...

Building the Liberty ACE Sportscar 2022

Pete Larsen had a vision of building a modern-day interpretation of the 1940 and 50’s streamlined mid-engine sportscar. The result is a fun exciting vehicle with a unique driving experience. Find out what it took to complete the project...

Grasshopper Knowledge | Packhunt.io

Are you interested in expanding your Grasshopper knowledge?

Packhunt.io has created a video series called Grasshopper Explained with snackable tips and tricks that will help you save time and keep your models clean!

Join its community by subscribing to the video channel today!

Rendering and visualization with Rhino and Weviz Studio

Weviz Studio is a new generation of visualization software. Thanks to real-time technology, rendering is now instantaneous! 

Reviewing your designs, validating them, creating smashing 3D presentations and videos is now as easy as a game! Discover the easiest-to-use and most realistic real-time software, especially for design and manufacturing industries.

Easy import from Rhino: Weviz supports 3DM format and many others natively! Drag and drop your 3D projects on Weviz Studio.

Details and download...

Timber gridshell classrooms with Grasshopper: Design, optimization and construction

The students from UPC School MPDA Master's in Parametric Design Architecture 1, which is taught online and at the ETSAV architecture school, have accomplished during the Studio 2 course the design and construction of two timber structures for hosting open-air classrooms in two different schools.

The students followed a program of continuous reviews by international experts on structural design, timber construction, computational geometry, and membrane design. The international group of students solved all the design, structural analysis, numerical fabrication, and construction processes within the Rhinoceros/Grasshopper framework, and finally built it during the face-to-face phase in Barcelona.

Amid several toolsets, the students profusely used Kangaroo 2 for the form finding, and then Kiwi!3D, Karamba3D, and Beaver for the structural analysis.

The Master Parametric Design in Architecture provides a computational design framework for the creation and optimization of lightweight structures with a low ecological footprint. The construction of the classrooms is part of the subject of development of innovation projects in which it is sought to integrate computational geometry, technological efficiency, sustainability and economic viability in real projects that can have a positive impact.

The built classrooms are designed with digital tools aiming to reduce the energy and weight of structures by means of an intensive use of geometry, and are manufactured using numerically controlled machines that allow for fast, efficient and prefabricated production.

The Zollinger open classroom, built at the CanCuní, is a lightweight gridshell of short pieces of birch plywood. The system is loosely based on the traditional Zollinger system which consists of the reciprocal transfer of loads in a short beam system. The challenge is to design and calibrate the required stiffness of a simply manufactured joint to avoid the cost and time of a bracing system.

The 3way open classroom, built at the ETSAV, is an ultra-thin gridshell of long and wide birch plywood 12mm planks. The system is based on the coupling of three families of pseudo-geodesic curves on a common surface that can be built from completely straight and planar planks without any waste. The simple 1D manufacturing technology relies solely on the exact positioning of the holes.

Students: Jorge Adrian Martorell ,Christian Merhej, Rudy Riachy , Alberto Sadun , Marc Serra , Alex Solà, Aitor Vadillo , Luis Ángel Garcia, Khalifa Alkhazriji , Ángel Barrón, Dalia Ezzeddine, Danny Vallejo , Ehsan Naguib, Weston Porter.

International experts: Julian Lienhard , Bending-active, STR.ucture / Universität Kassel, Dragos Naicu, timber gridshells, Anna Bauer, Structural analysis, Kiwi!3D / TUM, Ángel Antequera, Load cases and Wind, CODA /Modularem, Alberto Pugnale, Timber construction, University Melbourne, Almudena Majano, Timber engineering, ETSAM, Antonio Lara, Timber Engineering, ETSAM, Ton Miserachs, Membrane patterning, TP Arquitectura i construcció textil

Academic direction: Gerard Bertomeu, Pep Tornabell, Ramon Sastre, Enrique Soriano (partners at CODA and teachers at Barcelonatech and UPC School)

Acknowledgments: Special thanks to Can Cuní and to ETSAV UPC Architecture school for their support and workshops, Somnis a mida, Camping el Llac, Serge Ferrari for sponsoring the material, Gabarró Hermanos (timber logistics using UPM plywood), Manxa Bricolatge (Hardware), and always thankful to Daniel Piker for the use of Kangaroo.

Photo Credit: Andres Flajszer 

RhinoCAM 2022 announced

MecSoft, the developer of CAM software solutions, has released RhinoCAM 2022. RhinoCAM 2022 is the latest version of MecSoft’s fully integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) plugin for Rhino 6 and 7. 

Release highlights include:

• New saw machining operation
• Enhanced adaptive roughing module
• Upgraded and improved 4-axis machining methods
• Milling tool holder definition for display and collision checks
• Integration of post and G-code in the operation tree in the part file
• Programmable post-processors employing the Python programming language
• Expanded RhinoCAM SDK for automating machining
• Other productivity and user interface enhancements
• Additional enhancements to the G-Code editor and profile nesting modules

For more details, see What’s New in RhinoCAM 2022. Also, you can request your free demo software download of RhinoCAM 2022.

Rhino 7 GPU / Graphics Card Tests (by SimplyRhino UK)

SimplyRhino UK has completed its latest GPU test report, looking at performance not only with Rhino 7 (and Rhino Raytrace rendering engine) and popular companion products such as KeyShot, Twinmotion, V-Ray for Rhino and Chaos Vantage.

"Choosing a GPU / Graphics Card isn’t a straightforward task, especially when you have a mix of software tools that you switch between, as many CAD users do. It is a challenge to find a good balance between GPU price and performance, so we set out with this report to fill in some of the gaps to help you choose the right card for your applications."

Complete test details...

Getting to know... MERZ MÖBEL: Furniture (Custom) Made In Germany!

MERZ MÖBEL, a German furniture company, recently released a brand new web site featuring several highly customizable pieces of furniture. It allows customers to design sideboards according to their preferences and needs with the help of additive manufacturing, traditional carpentry, Grasshopper, and ShapeDiver.

In this interview, Ulrich Merz, product designer and founder of Merz Möbel, talks to ShapeDiver and gives us a glimpse into his company and story.

Read the complete interview here...

Rhino-CVC - New object library for HVAC

 

Rhino-CVC is a 3D object library associated with Grasshopper definitions, distributed in a Rhino toolbar, allowing to create piping, VMC and heating elements, automatically and fully configurable with ergonomics.

Parametric elements include:

• 3D and 5D curves to be welded
• Concentric and eccentric reducers
• Dished ends to be welded,
• Equal and reduced tees to be welded
• Radiators (fully configurable)
• Straight tubes (steel, copper, stainless steel, multilayer, and PVC)
• Bendable tubes (steel, copper, multilayer)
• Piping layers

The tubes have built-in yardage (length, weight, and capacity). The layers are preconfigured (choice in the tools).

Bills of materials—very clean with the possibility of formatting—are automatically generated individually: piping, fitting to be welded, equipment, and VMC.

This plugin receives updates to increase its rich capabilities further and also to improve them constantly because we are more than anything, eager to offer the best tool possible to have as much fun using it as we had to create it!

Download and details....

New version of Conveyor Rhino and Revit

Conveyor can transform workflow between Rhino® and Revit® with easy-to-use repeatable standards. Conveyor enables you to convert geometry and data between Rhino and Revit without the need for complicated workflow or computational interfaces. 

Conveyor V3 has just been released:

• Integration with Rhino.Inside.Revit technology
• Convert geometry and data to Rhino
• Edit Revit properties from Rhino
• Send directshapes with material information to Revit.

Download a free trial of Conveyor...

Rhino.Inside cadwork

Cadwork is the market leader in software solutions and CAD/CAM 3D for wood construction, framing, and carpentry.

Now, thanks to the Rhino.Inside technology, you can take advantage of cadwork and Grasshopper together!

Complete details and download...

Open Sky/Oasiz (by ARCHIOLOGICS)

Adolfo Nadal from ARCHIOLOGICS has been kind enough to share his recent project Open Sky/Oasiz, modeled with the help of Rhino and Grasshopper:

At ARCHIOLOGICS, we conceive each project as a process thought and designed to meet the expectations, tastes and needs of each profile. We combine design and construction with the highest levels of precision through a workflow based on virtual models, true digital twins for construction. We are able to combine the most advanced industrialization and design systems with the customization of each design and work thanks to our Rhino-based, tailor-made solutions. Whether you are looking for a pure geometric or textured design, specific sizes or proposals, or a bright and striking aesthetic, our team of professionals will develop the best version for your needs.

From design to construction

Our façade solutions highlight the value of material and geometry through fully customized computational processes. We optimize investment and minimize costs thanks to early analysis and rationalization of the geometry, improving its constructive and aesthetic potential. All this can be achieved by harvesting the native power of Rhinoceros' NURBS geometry core and the extended functionality we add by means of Grasshopper and the software's API. In this particular case, we were able to develop more than 22000sqm of unique panels seamlessly integrating design and construction procedures, such as surface rationalization, structure optimization, and drawing automation, including a wide variety of planar, curved, and double curved geometries.

At Oasiz, we provide value to this raw material to the extent that it becomes a truly unmatched design. Unique products are combined with geometric cladding and vitreous finishes, adopting the essence of industrial and minimalist environments for a project that seeks to stand out by itself.

Complete details...

Introducing: The New ShapeDiver Plugin (v1.9)!

After introducing their brand new platform a week ago, it’s now time to unveil the new version of ShapeDiver's Grasshopper plugin. This time they've tackled some of your most requested features such as new import and export file formats, a new attribute system, a plethora of new components, downloading and updating via Rhino’s Package Manager, and much more!

Read the complete article and learn more about these features...

2Shapes for Rhino 3.0 Released

2Shapes for Rhino, the jewelry design plugin for Rhino, just got to version 3.0. 

Here are the top 10 new features:

• Micro Settings: Creating micro settings has never been so easy, intuitive, and dynamic.
• Quick Array on Curve: Array on Curve generates multiple copies of objects and arranges them dynamically along a curve.
• Recover the gems from your old Matrix and RhinoGold models.
• Quick Orient: All diamonds and gemstones are updated to 2Shapes and are entirely usable and editable in one click.
• Recess: Easily create depressions on your design to help set gems, 3D textures, and more!
• Weight: Get the weight of your model with a single click, including metal and gems!
• Quick Polar Array: Polar Array has an easy-to-use interface and many additional options to create what you are looking for.
• Technical Report: Significant improvements in reporting include logo customization and additional information such as weight, gems map, and much more.
• Rendering UI: Significant improvements in reporting include logo customization and additional information such as weight, gems map, and much more.
• New Rendering Materials: This new version includes more than 20 new materials, including such incredible materials as Diamond Cognac.

Complete details...

xNURBS Rhino plugin V5.2 released

90% of the surfaces in the final car rendering were created using xNURBS

Announcing the availability of xNURBS Version 5.2. And V4/V5 customers can get a free upgrade to V5.2. V5.2 includes a number of enhancements, e.g., automatically trimming the boundary curves and further reducing the G1 deviation, etc. The following is a short answer to why xNURBS.

Key Features of xNURBS:

xNURBS is one super powerful NURBS tool that fixes virtually all surfacing issues for existing CAD software.

• Unlimited capacities for solving NURBS: Its optimization algorithm can solve virtually any NURBS surface in a matter of milliseconds (regardless of how complex the constraints are).
• High-quality surfaces: For a given set of constraints, xNURBS’ optimization algorithm uses an energy-minimization method to generate the smoothest NURBS surface among all possible solutions. The generated surface quality is outstanding.
• Easy-to-use: It uses one simple UI for all kinds of NURBS modeling.
• Super robust: xNURBS is rock solid and works flawlessly.
• Native CAD surfaces: xNURBS is based on NURBS, i.e., the native CAD surfaces, which can be directly used for any CAD modeling operations without any geometry translation.

Details and trial download...

Introducing: The new ShapeDiver platform

After spending most of 2021 in development and in beta testing for the last few months, ShapeDiver is happy to announce that the new ShapeDiver platform is finally ready!

All ShapeDiver users will now get access to these previously announced features and the following ones:

• Per-model analytics section
• Sharing models with other ShapeDiver users
• Link sharing private models with anyone
• New augmented reality settings
• Search models by ticket

All details are here and if you have any suggestions,

 feel free to post a new support forum topic.

Nemo, Grasshopper plugin for ship design, is sailing again!

Nemo provides multiple tools to generate lines plan, compute hydrostatics, perform resistance prediction, extract structural data, produce 2D drawings, and exchange data with other external software. 

Nemo also includes free tools to create parametric shapes, such as Naca profiles, hydrofoils, keels, rudders, blade propellers, and sail plans.

From 2021, Nemo is now available for purchase with commercial or educational licenses and is regularly updated.

This 1.3 release brings especially a USB floating license system, new FineMarine Export components (cylinder and box domains), and an integrated ALMET profile library.

Full details, updates and features on Nemo's food4Rhino page...

Record setting 3D printed installation—bECOme by Arturo Tedeschi

On December 2, 2021, Adidas opened the doors of its most sustainable flagship store to date under the motto Renew Berlin. The three-story, 1400m² store stands for regionality, sustainability, and the brand’s deep roots in sports. 

The store features the project bECOme, a 3D printed installation created by designer Arturo Tedeschi (@arturotedeschi) using more than 300 kg of recycled plastic. The suspended 17-meters long sculpture symbolizes the urgent commitment to turn waste into resources, passing through different transformation processes. It also expresses an attitude that considers plastic-waste-ending a mission through communication, education, and daily actions. The sculpture itself is a sustainability statement as it was made using recycled plastic turned into PLA filaments implemented in the printing process.

Rhino and Grasshopper have been used to create the original 3D model used for further development and 3D printing.

Credits:

• Project title: bECOme
• Where: Adidas Flagship Store Berlin
• Design: Arturo Tedeschi
• Fabrication: F.G. Meier GmbH
• Finishing: Sebastian Eberlein
• Photos: Hannes Jahreis

Read more about the project...

Bridging Data Science and Architectural Practice (by KPF and IAAC)

Bentall Centre’s Computational Design model in KPF’s Scout web platform

David Andres Leon (Head of Computational Design IAAC) and Brandon Pachuca (Urban Data Scientist + Web Developer at KPF) have been kind enough to share their latest article Bridging Data Science and Architectural Practice - Emergent applications of cloud computing in practice and academia.

A great intro to RhinoCommon, Grasshopper, Rhino.Inside, Rhino Compute and Hops:

"Architecture and computer science are becoming increasingly intertwined. The data science industry found a promising niche to leverage big data, machine learning, and web development to create viable products to automate workflows and bring new insights to market. Architecture can benefit from these trends, adapting product and web development to support advanced simulation and visualization practices."

Read the entire article...

ArchEatable: The Ephemeral Art of Gastronomy through Architecture and Digital Fabrication

ArchEatable is a university course that explores food and gourmet pastry art as a vehicle for teaching digital design and fabrication lessons in architecture.  

Since 2018, Jose Carrillo, Architect, Authorized Rhino Trainer, and Associate Professor of Architecture at the American University in Dubai, has been the founder, director, and course instructor.

What is unique about this teaching project is that students design and manufacture a consumable product from beginning to end. The materialization of these pieces and edible works of art is supported in  Rhinoceros, Grasshopper, and related plugins. The course incorporates novel 3D-printed  prototyping, silicone molds, and laser cutters into the process to create stunningly unique geometric cakes.

Learn more about each project...