My CAD package of choice has been McNeel & Associates’ Rhinoceros since 2017. It actually was my formal introduction into the world of CAD after working as a CNC Programmer for about a year.
I was introduced into Rhinoceros when they were on the fifth edition. I was working as a CNC Programmer on Godzilla: King of the Monsters, as it is the CAD software used by most film industry art departments.
Rhino is a multifaceted CAD software that has support for many types of 3D forms including NURBS solids, SubD surfaces, as well as polygonal mesh objects.
Rhino can be used for many purposes, being used chiefly for architectural design, product design, rendering, and construction layouts.
There’s really no limit to what you can do with a CAD software like Rhinoceros. The command based workflow allows drafters to work rapidly and enter 3D space quickly, especially since the advent of version 8.
Rhino plays well with other filetypes, which is also a plus for the software. If you are a designer working primarily with 2D designs in adobe illustrator, Rhino has no problem importing .AI, .PDF, .SVG, among others. Same goes for other CAD softwares such as AutoCAD or Solidworks. Rhino imports .DWG, .DXF, .STEP, and .IGES with ease.
What can we create in Rhino 8 to elevate your capabilities?
Rhino 8 can be used for professional renders. Professional renders help land projects and make your brand appear more professional. When you are in the bidding stages of a project, the render helps elevate your professionalism, and clearly shows the intended look you are trying to convey.
Rhino 8 can also be used for rapid prototyping parts. In rhino we can easily push and pull in 3D space, iterating on ideas and sending them to the printer quickly. Their new version also includes the incredible Shrinkwrap tool that allows you to create a mesh using open surfaces (before you had to have a solid object to send to print).
Rhino also creates beautiful 2d layouts for construction projects. I can build entire builds in Rhino, including the structure and materials used to build, to show exactly how something will come together. When plans are effectively communicated with construction plans, everyone is on the same page and things tend to go a little more smoothly.
Rhino is also great for working in 2d and creating files for CNC routers. I always perfer to do my CAD side of things in Rhino before taking my files to a CAM software such as VCarve or Aspire, even though they include CAD tools. Rhino is superior in every way and this allows me to fly through files at the speed of light. If you are an etsy craftsmen then I can help accelerate your next product idea to take to CNC using Rhino.