Sub-D modeling make popular industrial design program even better.
Every designer has had difficulty 3D modeling just the right shape because of the limitations of their CAD software. They can get close, but there’s this little bit that is not quite right. Or there’s a little piece sticking out where it shouldn’t, and they can’t figure out how to get rid of it. Well, that’s not a problem with Rhinoceros (Rhino to its friends). The newest version, Rhino 7, offers ways to create just about anything you can imagine.
What Is Rhino 7?
Essentially, Rhino 7 is high-end surfacing. It allows users to create, edit, analyze, render, animate and translate non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) curves, surfaces and solids (yes, Rhino 7 will do solids), and so on, as well as subdivision (sub-D) geometry. (Some people buy it just to translate file formats!) Rhino offers uninhibited freeform modeling, accuracy, compatibility, the ability to repair meshes, and speed—all for a price that is substantially lower than other programs out there.
Wait, Sub What?
Most 3D modeling programs use NURBS surfaces. Rhino 7 does too, but it has also introduced a new type: sub-D surfaces. Sub-D enables users to create organic shapes quickly by starting with a basic shape and pushing and pulling it into whatever shape is needed.
A great many programs use sub-D modeling, but they tend to be mesh based and are used to create large, quick, basic shapes that will get greater detail later. But meshes only approximate curved geometry. They define a model by establishing points across its surface and connecting them with straight lines. As such, meshes can be thought of as faceted surfaces. Rhino 7 sub-D takes a different approach. It uses high-definition splines and surfaces from the get-go that are fully controllable. That makes Rhino 7 sub-D much more accurate when it’s used to create freeform shapes. And more traditional commands like loft, sweep and extrude will produce sub-D output. Sub-D surfaces are inherently smooth, with continuous curvature, unless the user applies a crease. Creases take away the nice smooth curvature of a rounded edge and make it sharp. (It is very similar to ironing the laundry.)
Like NURBS, managing the sub-D topology and maintaining simplicity is essential. Rhino 7’s sub-D surfaces don’t need to have four sides, but it is easier to convert them to NURBS later if they do. And, yes, sub-D surfaces can be converted to NURBS so that they are compatible with all sorts of other functionality.
Other things that Rhino 7 brings to the table are:
Named Selections allow users to select a group of entities and give it a name. That way, if they want to go back and reselect that same group again, they just need to enter the name and voilà! It’s selected.
Fast 3D graphics on pretty much any computer (Windows and Mac). Rhino 7 makes great use of both the CPU as well as the GPU hardware and uses physically based rendering (PBR—no, not the beer) materials, which are quite popular among graphics professionals.
Rhino 7 has some pretty powerful mold making tools. You can do things like define a split surface that will represent a parting line and enable you to create some impressive cores and cavities for casting or injection molding.
Rhino 7 is understandably very good at meshes. Users can import a wide variety of files, from other software packages to 3D scanners, and edit them with relative ease. Then, Rhino 7 can export them in an even wider range of file formats.
Rhino 7 is a top-notch product that will enable users to do just about anything, from hobbies to professional projects. Priced at $995, Rhino 7 has you covered. For more information about Rhino 7, you can visit the company website at www.rhino3d.com.
