Using Rhinoceros for creating interactive WebGL visualizations - Revision history

Sergey at 13:21, 8 June 2026

2026-06-08T13:21:00Z

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	[[Category:Tutorials and How-Tos]]		[[Category:Tutorials and How-Tos]]
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
			\|type=article
	\|description=This guide provides info on using Rhinoceros 3D for creating interactive browser-based visualizations		\|description=This guide provides info on using Rhinoceros 3D for creating interactive browser-based visualizations
	\|keywords=Rhino, Rhinoceros, WebGL, 3DWeb, Web3D, Verge3D		\|keywords=Rhino, Rhinoceros, WebGL, 3DWeb, Web3D, Verge3D
	\|image=Rhinoceros.jpg		\|image=Rhinoceros.jpg
	}}		}}

Alexander at 09:03, 19 March 2026

2026-03-19T09:03:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:03, 19 March 2026
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	If you have any issues, feel free to request help on the [https://www.soft8soft.com/forums/ community forums].		If you have any issues, feel free to request help on the [https://www.soft8soft.com/forums/ community forums].

	[[Category:Tutorials]]		[[Category:Tutorials and How-Tos]]
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|description=This guide provides info on using Rhinoceros 3D for creating interactive browser-based visualizations		\|description=This guide provides info on using Rhinoceros 3D for creating interactive browser-based visualizations

Alexander at 20:01, 7 March 2026

2026-03-07T20:01:46Z

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	[[File:Rhinoceros.jpg\|right\|thumb\|350px\|Rhino users are in good company]]		[[File:Rhinoceros.jpg\|right\|thumb\|350px\|Rhino users are in good company]]
	Rhinoceros (Rhino 3D) is a popular CAD software used for product/industrial design (automotive, jewelry etc.) and architecture. ~~In this~~ article you~~'ll find~~ how to use this program to create interactive 3D web visualizations that work in the browser.		Rhinoceros (Rhino 3D) is a popular CAD software used for product/industrial design (automotive, jewelry etc.) and architecture. This article shows you how to use this program to create interactive 3D web visualizations that work in the browser.

	== Pipeline #1 — using glTF 2.0 format ==		== Pipeline #1 — using glTF 2.0 format ==

Alexander at 16:06, 4 March 2026

2026-03-04T16:06:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:06, 4 March 2026
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	[[File:Material_library.jpg\|819px]]		[[File:Material_library.jpg\|819px]]

			== Manual Meshing ==

			Rhino uses NURBS modeling, while for the WebGL rendering you will need polygons. For practical workflows this means you should perform the tessellation (meshing) manually in Rhino before exporting to glTF or transferring the models to Blender/3ds Max/Maya.

			This way you can preview the results in Rhino and balance the quality and the amount of polygons. There are 2 commands that can be used to perform the meshing: ''QuadRemesh'' for better control/quality and ''Mesh'' to obtain the results quicker.

	== Got questions? ==		== Got questions? ==

Alexander: /* Pipeline #2 — using intermediate modelling software */

2026-03-04T08:25:34Z

Pipeline #2 — using intermediate modelling software

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:25, 4 March 2026
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	[https://www.soft8soft.com/docs/manual/en/maya/Beginners-Guide.html Verge3D for Maya — Beginner's Guide]		[https://www.soft8soft.com/docs/manual/en/maya/Beginners-Guide.html Verge3D for Maya — Beginner's Guide]

	In case you are not familiar with these modelling software tools, it's worth spending some time to learn one of them. First, Verge3D does not require you to be a guru in polygonal 3D modelling and second, contrary to pure glTF-based approach, you will get really powerful tools at your disposal. For example, there are plenty of [https://www.soft8soft.com/product-category/assets/ material libraries] optimized for interactive browser-based visualization, including packs aimed at the typical Rhino user: machinery and jewelry.		In case you are not familiar with these modelling software tools, it's worth spending some time to learn one of them. First, Verge3D does not require you to be a guru in polygonal 3D modelling and second, contrary to pure glTF-based approach, you will get really powerful tools at your disposal. For example, there are plenty of [https://www.soft8soft.com/product-category/assets/ material libraries] optimized for interactive browser-based visualization, including packs aimed at the typical Rhino user: machinery, construction, and jewelry.

			[[File:Material_library.jpg\|819px]]

	== Got questions? ==		== Got questions? ==

Alexander: /* Pipeline #2 — using intermediate modelling software */

2026-03-04T08:22:00Z

Pipeline #2 — using intermediate modelling software

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:22, 4 March 2026
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	[https://www.soft8soft.com/docs/manual/en/maya/Beginners-Guide.html Verge3D for Maya — Beginner's Guide]		[https://www.soft8soft.com/docs/manual/en/maya/Beginners-Guide.html Verge3D for Maya — Beginner's Guide]

			In case you are not familiar with these modelling software tools, it's worth spending some time to learn one of them. First, Verge3D does not require you to be a guru in polygonal 3D modelling and second, contrary to pure glTF-based approach, you will get really powerful tools at your disposal. For example, there are plenty of [https://www.soft8soft.com/product-category/assets/ material libraries] optimized for interactive browser-based visualization, including packs aimed at the typical Rhino user: machinery and jewelry.

	== Got questions? ==		== Got questions? ==

Alexander: /* Pipeline #2 — using intermediate modelling software */

2026-03-04T08:06:35Z

Pipeline #2 — using intermediate modelling software

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:06, 4 March 2026
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	== Pipeline #2 — using intermediate modelling software ==		== Pipeline #2 — using intermediate modelling software ==

	Verge3D offers an outstanding level of integration with Blender, 3ds Max, and Maya. It allows you to setup all the materials/lighting/cameras/animations using either of those tools and quickly preview in the web environment. This method is more robust even it requires transferring your 3dm asset into one of the said modelling software. To transfer your models from Rhino to Blender you can use the OBJ format, while for 3ds Max / Maya the FBX format would be a more straightforward approach.		Verge3D offers an outstanding level of integration with Blender, 3ds Max, and Maya. It allows you to setup all the materials/lighting/cameras/animations using either of those tools and quickly preview in the web environment. This method is more robust even it requires transferring your 3dm asset into one of the said modelling software.

			To transfer your models from Rhino to Blender you can use the OBJ format, while for 3ds Max / Maya the FBX format would be a more straightforward approach.

	Once you have your Rhino-based asset in Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya, you can employ the standard Verge3D pipeline to bring your visuals to the web. Check out a respective article for additional info involving the 3D tool of your choice:		Once you have your Rhino-based asset in Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya, you can employ the standard Verge3D pipeline to bring your visuals to the web. Check out a respective article for additional info involving the 3D tool of your choice:

Alexander: /* Pipeline #1 — using glTF 2.0 format */

2026-03-04T08:04:48Z

Pipeline #1 — using glTF 2.0 format

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:04, 4 March 2026
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	[[File:My_rhino_scene.webp\|568px]]		[[File:My_rhino_scene.webp\|568px]]

	Good news is that the camera controls are setup automatically for you. However, lighting is a different story. Make sure you load an environment map and/or add a light source so that your model becomes visible.		Good news is that the camera controls are setup automatically for you. However, lighting is a different story. Make sure you load an environment map and/or add a light source so that your model becomes visible. See the following Puzzles snippet as an example:

	[[File:Duck_verge3d_puzzles.webp\|832px]]		[[File:Duck_verge3d_puzzles.webp\|832px]]

Alexander: /* Pipeline #1 — using glTF 2.0 format */

2026-03-04T08:03:18Z

Pipeline #1 — using glTF 2.0 format

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:03, 4 March 2026
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	== Pipeline #1 — using glTF 2.0 format ==		== Pipeline #1 — using glTF 2.0 format ==

	Starting from version 8, Rhino does support [https://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/8/help/en-us/fileio/gltf_import_export.htm exporting] to glTF 2.0 format natively. Simply use ''File > Export Selected'' or ''Save As'', then choose ''glTF Text File (*.gltf)''. After export is done, use the Verge3D toolkit to render glTF 2.0 in the browser (~~it does not matter what kind~~ of Verge3D ~~you choose~~).		Starting from version 8, Rhino does support [https://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/8/help/en-us/fileio/gltf_import_export.htm exporting] to glTF 2.0 format natively. Simply use ''File > Export Selected'' or ''Save As'', then choose ''glTF Text File (*.gltf)''. After export is done, use the Verge3D toolkit to render glTF 2.0 in the browser (this will work with either of Verge3D flavors).

	When creating a new project using Verge3D, select ''Blank Scene''. This way your project folder won't be cluttered with assets you don't really need.		When creating a new project using Verge3D App Manager, select ''Blank Scene''. This way your project folder won't be cluttered with assets you don't really need.

	[[File:My_rhino_scene.webp\|568px]]		[[File:My_rhino_scene.webp\|568px]]

	Good ~~part with this approach~~ is that the camera controls are setup automatically. However lighting is a different story. Make sure you load an environment map and/or add a light source so that your model is visible.		Good news is that the camera controls are setup automatically for you. However, lighting is a different story. Make sure you load an environment map and/or add a light source so that your model becomes visible.

	[[File:Duck_verge3d_puzzles.webp\|832px]]		[[File:Duck_verge3d_puzzles.webp\|832px]]

Alexander at 08:00, 4 March 2026

2026-03-04T08:00:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:00, 4 March 2026
Line 4:		Line 4:
	== Pipeline #1 — using glTF 2.0 format ==		== Pipeline #1 — using glTF 2.0 format ==

	Starting from version 8, Rhino does support [https://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/8/help/en-us/fileio/gltf_import_export.htm exporting] to glTF 2.0 format natively. Simply use ''File > Export Selected'' or ''Save As'', then choose ''glTF Text File (*.gltf)''. After export is done, use the Verge3D toolkit to render glTF 2.0 in the browser. ~~Camera~~ controls are setup automatically. Make sure you load an environment map and/or add a light source so that your model is visible.		Starting from version 8, Rhino does support [https://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/8/help/en-us/fileio/gltf_import_export.htm exporting] to glTF 2.0 format natively. Simply use ''File > Export Selected'' or ''Save As'', then choose ''glTF Text File (*.gltf)''. After export is done, use the Verge3D toolkit to render glTF 2.0 in the browser (it does not matter what kind of Verge3D you choose).

			When creating a new project using Verge3D, select ''Blank Scene''. This way your project folder won't be cluttered with assets you don't really need.

			[[File:My_rhino_scene.webp\|568px]]

			Good part with this approach is that the camera controls are setup automatically. However lighting is a different story. Make sure you load an environment map and/or add a light source so that your model is visible.

	[[File:Duck_verge3d_puzzles.webp\|832px]]		[[File:Duck_verge3d_puzzles.webp\|832px]]