Is Rhino just a toy.... ?

[VetteMan]

relax :) rhino is good software. Parametric modeling will come in v4.

[PRIIMO]

I think both rhino and studio tools are good.See rezults of experienced artists.
I'm not talking about rendering.because rhino hasn't good renderer,for NOW.
And about studio tools,like you said a lot of people leaves this program and go to rhino,
I think because of leak of tutorials.
That is only my opinion!
P.S - Sorry for my bad english

[EquiNOX]

Whoever said it probably have skills in nurb modeling. Because the fact is, lot of expert nurb modelers or Expert Studio Tool users started off with rhino first. Although they have to move up to better or expensive nurb software because of JOBS demand which get them not going back into Rhino. As matter of fact, I went to CG Conference a month ago and I met a guy who designed interior for GM motor company, explaining me his experiences and skill was all begin with learning rhino eventhough he's selftaught on nurb modeling. When his 135K a year job got interested in his skills he had to change his software into Studo Tool, then Catia. But, surprisingly...he said Rhino is much better than rest of other software. Unfortunately its sad that company doesn't see it (I forgot why) but it has something to do with handling more tolerance than other software and also is lack of strict which give best ability of making a class A surface.

Anyway, If I were you I wouldn't be too concerned about what software I use, I would be more of concerned about able to develop class A surface which I think is most important thing to become skilled in nurb modeling.

[PureBlizz]

well...

The thing here, is that a free-hander like rhino and heavy studio tools like Solidworkes ect. are made to to two completely diffrent things. While you can produce the same model in both type of programs, its two diffrent ways of thinking.

Free-handers like Rhino is perfect, for putting new ideas into life, playing around with scetches. And for many areas, very good for product design as well. However, programs like autoCAD and Soldidworkes comes with a lot of futures that Rhino chould never supply. It is for example a lot easier to work beween 2d and 3d in those kind of programs, to use blueprints, to edit a finished model, to make animations ect.

The strength of rhino, is that its one of the fastest way to get an idea - a consept - down. You might think all the menys in more heavy programs are a waste of time, but when produsing parts and molds, 1000's of them, and you need to fit them all together, analyse every single one of them for weaknesses, production costs, preasure distribution ect.. then Rhino is useless....

Stil one of the best programs out there, for its use though.. I love it =)

[Snecx]

I guess they're comparing with the other features as well?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeform_surface_modelling

Rhino is built as a freeform surface modelling software, it does everything freeform surface modelling can do, isn't it? I'm studying other software packages at the moment.

[seagulls]

I guess it depends on what your planning to use rhino for.If for cg you may be better of with maya or max.but if for designing things - rhino gives you 'what you see is what you get' top quality surfaces.

[Obi]

Rhino is good as far as you just want to modell something and you can do everything what you want I believe. But it's not an industry standard and if you want to work in this field you can start with rhino but better move to Studio tools. Because the job need it.

As for Class-a surface... in my opinion even with Studio Tools it's hard to get right a complex modell when your goal is class-a surface. At work we use ICEM Surf which is better for this kind of work (car design).

As I said if you're not working in industrial design and just want a great nurbs modeller Rhino is the best! Cheap, and knows everything you might need. The other "heavy" program's advantage starts, when the modelling is done.

(just my 2 cents... and sorry my english)

[Snecx]

Yes I do see why other industrial standard softwares are used, because they are industry standards and big companies use them. But the point is, Rhino isn't bad at all. I got tired of people complaining when they model something without success then blame Rhino for "weak" continuity support, isn't as good as StudioTools, those kind of crap.

I can ignore those who says 3dsmax or Maya are better, simply because they do not know much about what they're actually doing.

But for people who deal with Rhino and say this or that part couldn't be done in Rhino and tell people to try bring that into StudioTools to create those surfaces before bringing back to Rhino, those are the people I can't stand.

It's everywhere. They're saying Rhino is a toy, is not good enough, is not capable of doing this and that... while they do not know what Rhino is capable of.

Perhaps by the time I get out of uni, Rhino would be part of the industry as freeform modeller. My uni lecturers did say that Rhino is better but StudioTools is being used because it is in the industry. That is understandable.

Sorry for bringing a big fuss out of this topic but I hope people who complains about Rhino do realise that Rhino is as good--if not better--than most freeform surfacing software out there. Of course, it is not to challenge CAD or engineering software packages.

Disclaimer: This is still part of my rant. Partly are facts, some "facts" could be biased. Please do not take things too seriously if there are mistakes.

[EquiNOX]

Sncex, its just a pro and cons thing based on individual opinions. Each of them use software for different purpose so, Don't let anyone tell you the difference. The only thing you need to worry is what suit you the best. :thumbsup:

[JC2]

I have always used Rhino so I prefer it above all others, but a new ID guy we hired used Alias. He is now converted to Rhino, and with the exception of a couple of tools says Rhino is much better and easier to use.

That said Rhino, much like all other programs cannot do it all. We use Inventor for interiors, cabinets, etc because of its abilities and we always use AutoCad because we always are produceing drawings. Add a couple of pencils, markers, Illustrator and Photshop and together the entire package allows us to go from concept to completion with relative ease.

[mrys]

Hi
I'am new on this forum, but not new in Rhino modelling. I'am using this soft since few years, after I was dissapointing in using Max as modeler. After this years I can be only suprised by opinion, that sometning is impossible to make with Rhino. Of course this program, and NURBS modelling in generally, needs special kind of thinking about models - how every unique part has to be modeled, how profile curves should flows etc, etc. Speaking simply: needs practice. Everyone in every soft when have to make new model discover many new technique and tricks - it is what makes impossible - possible. So if Rhino is a toy I love this toy.

[Fahrija]

So... if Rhino is a toy I love this toy.

well said. :thumbsup:

.

[Snecx]

I'm back again. Here's what I've found.

Rhino is great as a freeform surface modeller and it's good at that especially working with NURBS. Although it has some downfalls I believe Rhino 4 will have much improved features especially with fillet and booleans and the like. It is not a toy in this area.

However, for people who uses Alias StudioTools for the design process, it includes everything in one package. Sketching, modelling, making pretty renders, all in one. It seems to be much more efficient in that and seems like a much more serious package.

I guess it depends on the person who uses it. I would prefer Rhino to be as simple as a powerful freeform surface modeller software instead of a complete package like StudioTools.

Other CAD or engineering software packages are not in the same league. Rhino is more focused on freeform NURBS modelling and it is great in that.

I am having a better idea of these different software packages already. :)

[nephilius]

I'v started to use Rhino 6 years ago, and one thing that is on my mind is "every tool is good, if you know how to use it".

In it's founding idea, it was very intuitive modeller for industrial designers, and it is. I know a lot of designers that uses Rhino in professional life and in private projects.

I think that it doesn't matter what software You use, but results You get.

[jcorpe]

Lets not forget about the HUGE price differences either. Rhino is what, like $800, while programs like Studio and Catia are in the thousands. You get what you pay for and when I bought Rhino, I bought a NURBS modeler.

[Xist]

Studio Tools isn't just "in the thousands," it is in the tens of thousands. For the price of a single seat of Studio Tools you could get 30-50 Rhino seats. In the areas that Studio Tools is better (initial surface creation control, variable fillet, gizmo manipulation, history, smoother analysis tools and so on) it isn't even close to justifying the price difference. I realize that sketching and rendering tools are included in that price, but even if you factor those out the price gap is still tremendous.

However, there are situations where I find that it is best to export a set of curves/surfaces to Studio Tools to achieve the exact surface I want. Rhino4 has helped this situation a lot, but some of the newer tools aren't performing as well as they should to truly compete. (See the new variable fillet tool for example, it regularly creates some of the dirties geometry I've ever seen in Rhino.)

[AudacityRacing]

If anyone tells you that Rhino is not strong enough to survive in a professional design studio... don't listen to them.


Let's look at an EXCELLENT example of how powerful Rhino is when used with a fluent understanding.


The Saleen S7. Saleen is an American car manufacturer. They are a small company who creates super cars that compete at Le Mans and various other GT class racings. They are by far the most successful independant auto manufacturer in the USA. They started by making special edition Mustangs (still do actually), but eventually designed the S7... their flagship race car... asthetically designed in Rhino...


http://www.phil-frank.com/
(click the middle graphic, and then on the 3rd one down (first yellow car).

[Snecx]

...

I didn't know Saleen S7 was designed in Rhino! Now, where's that eye-popping smiley? :D

Edit: Alright, more info at http://www.rhino3d.com/products.htm, Saleen S7 is somewhere below in that list. Somehow I missed that page on Rhino3d.com. Some other Rhino screenshots here: http://www.rhino3d.co.jp/gallery/saleen.html

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