How to Build Your Own Rhino
Replace Rhino with a custom build. Design, model, present, analyze, realize
Build Difficulty: 4/5
A few focused days to build a solid replacement
Estimated Timeline
Based on 68 features at Few Days difficulty, expect about 3-5 days with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 68 features
Interface & Tools(12 features)
Smarter Construction Planes that automatically align to eligible selections
More flexible and powerful block management for organizing and reusing geometry
Input precise values for coordinates and dimensions with support for various units
Move, scale, rotate widget with new grips for extending and extruding objects
Filter layers to show and organize only relevant objects
+7 more in this category
Analysis(8 features)
Point, length, distance, angle, radius, bounding box, area, volume, and surface curvature analysis
Analyze surface and curve curvature with support for SubDs
Analyze draft angles using Named CPlanes with smarter CPlane options
Analyze Gaussian curvature for surface quality assessment
Analyze geometric continuity between surfaces and curves
+3 more in this category
Modeling(8 features)
Create lines, polylines, free-form curves, circles, arcs, ellipses, rectangles, polygons, helixes, spirals, conics, and text
Generate curves through points, extend curves, fillet, chamfer, offset, blend, and create curves from multiple views and surfaces
Combine new tools to quickly sketch ideas in 3D with flexible, accurate, and open model creation tools
Create and manipulate points, point clouds, point grids, and extract points from objects with marking options
Grab a face and push or pull it, extruding or extending surfaces using curves to add or remove volumes from existing surfaces
+3 more in this category
Editing(7 features)
Edit curves and surfaces using control points, edit points, and handlebars with smooth and fair operations
General editing tools for deleting, removing duplicates, and joining objects
Offset surfaces and curves with ability to create multiple closed regions
Take control of structure and continuity for well-made surface models
Create fillets on surfaces with new UI featuring dynamic radius previews
+2 more in this category
Drafting(6 features)
Arrows, dots, text blocks, leaders, and hidden line removal for technical drawings
Horizontal, vertical, aligned, rotated, radial, diameter, and angle dimensions with Unicode support
Create dynamic vector drawings of clipping sections
Draw stylized curves with pattern, width, and taper to communicate design or artistic flair
Reflected parallel projection viewport mode, perfect for RCPs
+1 more in this category
Rendering(5 features)
Updated Cycles engine for faster GPU-accelerated raytracing
Native per-pixel procedural textures in raytraced and rendered modes
Preview rendered results in real-time while working
Ray trace renderer with textures, bumps, highlights, transparency, various light types, and shadows
UV Mapping with floating UV Editor, new unwrapping algorithms, pinning, and improved texture quality
Display(4 features)
Create clipping planes to view interior sections of models
Multiple display modes including shaded, working views, perspective, and new Monochrome mode
Clean, minimal display mode perfect for showcasing architectural work
Save and restore named camera views for consistent presentations
3D Capture(3 features)
Support for Microscribe, FaroArm, and ROMER digitizing hardware (Windows only)
64-bit support and enhanced graphics co-processor support for working with large point clouds
Capture 3D terrain data for agriculture, archaeology, conservation, geology, and land use planning
Cost Calculator
Pricing data not available for Rhino. Check their website for current pricing.