Rhino commands one needs to know !
Updated: May 27, 2021
Source: www.seeklogo.com
Rhinoceros is a commercial 3D computer graphics and computer-aided design (CAD) application software developed by Robert McNeel & Associates, an American, privately held, and employee-owned company founded in 1980. Rhino is widely used these days and is quoted as the "looks tough but the most tender" software. The user interface and application may seem to be difficult in the beginning, but it has proved to produce extraordinary output. Rhino is high in demand and it is of great help for creating structures almost impossible. In this blog, we will list out the most important rhino commands the user need to be aware of:
- Align: allows you to align objects to an exiting reference line to get them on the plane that you want
- Array: automatically copies and pastes lines equally spaced apart
- BooleanDifference: allows you to subtract a solid shape from another solid leaving a fully intact solid without the material from the subtracted shape behind – note in order to do this the objects must be fully closed solids and the two objects must intersect each other
- BooleanUnion: allows you to join two solids with no overlapping edges internally- note in order to do this the objects must be fully closed solids and the two objects must intersect each other
- Boolean2Objects: lets you run through the full list of boolean commands until you find the one you want to use – note in order to do this the objects must be fully closed solids and the two objects must intersect each other
- ExtrudeCrv: creates a surface out of line
- ExtrudeSrf: gives a thickness to a surface
- Explode: makes a joined/grouped object or polyline explode into individual parts
- Cap: closes an object that you’ve split or extruded to form a solid – only works when the openings are planar
- ClippingPlane: shows you a cut-through of a particular part of an object without actually splitting it between the model; for a specific viewport, click on the plane and use “EnableClippingPlane” to turn it on and “DisableClippingPlane” to turn it off in that viewport
- CloseCrv: closes a curve; we suggested that you only use it if you can’t figure out where the curve is open yourself
- Copy: allows you to copy an object from a specific spot multiple times
- Curve: draws a spline
- Distance: measures the distance between two things
- DupEdge: duplicates the edge of an object
- Fillet: makes an angle or edge rounded
- FlowAlongSrf: Flow a pattern or an object along an irregular surface
- Group/Ungroup: joins/unjoins multiple objects or curves
- Helix: makes a spiral (of a single radius)
- Join: joins multiple connected units
- Loft: creates a surface between two lines or shapes
- Make2D: creates a basic line drawing if your 3D model; in the options you can choose to show lines hidden by the solid form of the object, to keep lines separated by layer, or to make lines tangent which helps to join some of them when they’re made 2D; this is useful when you export to Illustrator for linework
- Mirror: mirrors an object or drawing across a reference line
- Picture frame: places a picture in your model
- Polyline: creates a continuous string of straight lines
- Point: creates a point (on a line or to use to join with a line)
- PointsOn: allows you to edit a curve or shape that you’ve already made
- PlanarSrf: gives a surface to a closed planar curve
- Project: projects curves or surfaces along a surface; make sure that the curve/surface is directly above or below the surface to which you want to project; “ProjecttoCPlane” is useful in flattening lines you didn’t realize were on different planes to a flat layer
- Rotate: rotates an object
- Rotate3D: rotates an object in 3D
- Offset: allows you to offset a line or shape a certain distance away
- Section: creates section cuts through an object – great for laser cutting topographies
- SelDup: selects duplicates in the model (similar to overkill in AutoCAD)
- Show/Hide: the show makes objects visible, hide makes them invisible
- Scale: proportionally scales things larger or smaller
- Scale1D: scales something in one direction only
- Split: splits apart surfaces, lines
- Sweep (1 & 2): creates a thickness by “sweeping” a shape along a curve
- Text: creates the text
- Trim: allows you to trim intersecting lines/ shapes
- Turntable: automatically rotates your object
- Units: changes the units that you work in (Imperial/Metric)
- UnrollSrf: explodes a closed object into multiple planes – great for making laser cutting files!
- ZS: zooms one object
- ZSA: zooms in on one object in all 4 views
(Source of info: ARCHtank)
"One of the most important ingredients of being a Rhinoceros is your attitude. If you don't really want to be a Rhinoceros, you won't charge like one".
- Scott Alexander