Rhino File Exchange
Contents
File types
Rhino can handle various file types.
Exporting files
The are three ways to export files.
- Saving the whole model as a different file type
- Exporting (a part of) your model
- Saving (a part of) your model with a specific origin point
When you export to a format like 3DS, STL or DWG, Rhino has to convert from smooth NURBS surfaces to a polygon mesh representation made of triangles. To do a good approximation of the curved surfaces, Rhino can sometimes use a lot of polygons. The density of triangles can be adjusted when exporting. You can create a mesh object and export it, or Rhino can create the mesh during the export process.
Currently with Rhino you can export the following file types:
| File extension | Program | Type of geometry or information | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| .3ds | 3dstudio max | polygon meshes | |
| .ai | Adobe Illustrator | cubic Bézier curves | |
| .cd | Cult3D | polygon meshes | |
| .csv | any text editor | object properties | |
| .txt | any text editor | points | |
| .dwg/.dxf | AutoCAD | curves, polygon meshes | |
| .fbx | Autodesk | polygon meshes with material attributes | |
| .gdf | WAMIT | polygon meshes or NURBS surfaces | http://www.wamit.com |
| .gf/.pm | GHS - General Hydrostatics Geometry | http://www.ghsport.com/home.htm | |
| .iges/.igs | Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) | NURBS curves and surfaces | IGES 143, IGES 144, see also Exporting IGES files |
| .kml | Google Earth | polygon meshes | |
| .lwo | Lightwave 3D | polygon meshes | |
| .obj | Wavefront | polygon meshes, NURBS curves and surfaces | |
| .ply | Polygon File Format | polygon meshes | |
| .pov | Persistence of Vision Raytracer | http://www.povray.org | |
| .raw | Raw Triangle | polygon meshes | |
| .rib | RenderMan | ||
| .sat | ACIS | depends on export settings | |
| .slc | SLiCe format | polygon meshes | output as (section) curves |
| .step/.stp | Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP) | NURBS curves and surfaces | AP203, AP214 |
| .stl | Stereolithography | polygon meshes | |
| .udo | Moray UDO | polygon meshes | output as wireframe |
| .vda | Verband der Automobileindustrie | file format defined by German association of automobile industries | |
| .vrml/.wrl | Virtual Reality Model Language | polygon meshes | |
| .wmf | Windows Metafile | output as wireframe from current view | |
| .x | DirectX | polygon meshes | |
| .x_t | Parasolid | NURBS curves and surfaces | e.g. SolidWorks, VectorWorks, MicroStation |
| .xgl | Solaris | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xgl | |
| .zpr | ZCorp | polygon meshes | 3D print files |
Exporting IGES files
Rhino is able to export IGES files optimised for different programs. When saving or exporting a dialog box appears to choose a IGES type.
The following IGES types are available: 3D Studio MAX, Alias, Ashlar Vellum, AutoFORM, Autoship, Breault, CADCEUS, CAMSoft, CATIA, Cosmos, Delcam, EdgeCAM, EZ-CAM, FastShip, FastSURF, HyperFORM, Integrity Ware, Inventor, IronCAD, LUSAS, Mastercam, Maxsurf, Maya, ME30, Mechanical Desktop, MicroStation, Multisurf, NASA GridTool, NuGraf, OptiCAD, Pro/E, SDRC's I-DEAS, Softimage, Solid Edge, SolidDesigner, SolidWorks, SUM3D, Surfacer, SURFCAM, Tebis, TekSoft, Unigraphics, and Yamaha ESPRi.
The most important file-format for use with Maya will be IGES.
Saving the whole model
Go to File > Save As... and choose your desired file type.
Exporting (a part of) your model
Go to File > Export Selected.... Select (the parts of) your model and choose your desired file type.
Saving (a part of) your model with a specific origin point
Go to File > Export Selected.... Select (the parts of) your model and choose your origin point. You can only save Rhino 3dm-files with this option.
Importing files
With File > Import... you can import files into your current model. However you can also just open a non-native file with File > Open... In the latter case you might be asked to save your current open file.
Currently with Rhino you can import the following file types:
| File extension | Program | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| .3ds | 3dstudio max | |
| .ai/.pdf/.eps | Adobe files | Adobe CS files or earlier |
| .asc/.csv/.txt/.xyz/.cgo_ascii/.cgo_asci | points file | |
| .dgn | MicroStation | |
| .dwg/.dxf | AutoCAD | AutoCAD 2009 files or earlier |
| .fbx | MotionBuilder | |
| .gdf | WAMIT | http://www.wamit.com |
| .gf/.gft | GHS - General Hydrostatics Geometry | http://www.ghsport.com/home.htm |
| .iges/.igs | Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) | |
| .lwo | Lightwave 3D | |
| .m/.pts | Recon M and PTS files | |
| .obj | Wavefront | |
| .pat | AutoCAD hatch pattern file | |
| .ply | Polygon File Format | |
| .raw | Raw Triangle | |
| .skp | SketchUp | |
| .slc | SLiCe File Format | |
| .sldprt/.sldasm | SolidWorks | |
| .step/.stp | Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP) | |
| .stl | Stereolithography | |
| .vda | Verband der Automobileindustrie | |
| .vrml/.wrl | Virtual Reality Model Language | |
| .x | DirectX | |
| .xgl | Solaris | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xgl |
| .zpr | ZCorp |
