Rhino Course

Lesson 1 • File Management and Units

Explains file formats, unit systems, and template selection. Ensures students start every project with correct scale and interoperability settings.

Lesson 2 • Understanding 3D Space and Coordinates

Introduces the World coordinate system, construction planes, and grid snapping. Provides the spatial reasoning foundation required for all modeling tasks.

Lesson 3 • Object Selection and Basic Transforms

Teaches selection methods, move, rotate, scale, and mirror operations. These transforms are the building blocks of every subsequent modeling workflow.

Lesson 1 • Curve Editing and Refinement

Teaches control-point editing, knot insertion, and curve rebuilding. Precise curve editing directly determines surface quality in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Drawing Primitive Curves

Covers lines, polylines, arcs, circles, and rectangles. These primitives are the starting point for all curve-based surface workflows.

Lesson 3 • Curve Analysis and Continuity

Explains curvature graphs, deviation analysis, and G0–G2 continuity. Students verify curve quality before advancing to surface creation.

Lesson 4 • Curve Operations and Boolean Logic

Covers offset, trim, extend, join, and Boolean curve operations. These tools prepare clean input curves for extrusion and surface commands.

Lesson 1 • Network and Patch Surfaces

Explains NetworkSrf and Patch for filling complex curve networks. Students use these tools when standard sweep and loft commands are insufficient.

Lesson 2 • Loft and Sweep 2 Rails

Teaches Loft and Sweep 2 Rails for multi-profile surface generation. These commands handle complex transitional forms between different cross-sections.

Lesson 3 • Revolve and Rail Surfaces

Covers Revolve, Rail Revolve, and Sweep 1 Rail commands. Students model rotationally symmetric and rail-driven forms common in product design.

Lesson 4 • Extrusion and Planar Surfaces

Introduces ExtrudeCrv, ExtrudeSrf, and PlanarSrf commands. These are the fastest methods for generating surfaces from closed and open curves.

Lesson 1 • Boolean Union, Difference, and Intersection

Covers the three core Boolean operations and their failure modes. Students combine and subtract solids to create complex mechanical and architectural forms.

Lesson 2 • Shell and Offset Solid Tools

Introduces Shell, OffsetSrf, and solid thickness commands. These tools create hollow parts and wall-thickness geometry for injection molding and 3D printing.

Lesson 3 • Closing Surfaces into Solids

Teaches capping, joining, and diagnosing open polysurfaces. Students convert surface models into closed solids required for fabrication and Boolean use.

Lesson 4 • Primitive Solid Creation

Introduces box, sphere, cylinder, cone, and torus solid commands. Primitives serve as starting geometry for Boolean and direct editing workflows.

Lesson 1 • Surface Continuity and Matching

Covers MatchSrf, BlendSrf, and continuity analysis tools. Students enforce G0, G1, and G2 continuity across adjacent surfaces for seamless models.

Lesson 2 • Rebuilding and Reparameterizing Surfaces

Explains surface rebuild, reparameterize, and degree elevation. Students optimize surface structure for downstream rendering and manufacturing workflows.

Lesson 3 • Surface Analysis Tools

Covers zebra, environment map, curvature, and draft angle analysis. Students identify and correct surface defects before finalizing models.

Lesson 4 • Complex Blending and Filleting

Teaches FilletSrf, BlendSrf with rails, and multi-edge blending strategies. These techniques resolve difficult corner and transition areas in complex models.

Lesson 1 • Parametric Curves and Surfaces

Teaches curve and surface components, sliders, and number inputs. Students build definitions that update geometry dynamically from parameter changes.

Lesson 2 • Grasshopper Interface and Data Flow

Covers the canvas, component wiring, and data tree structure. Understanding data flow is essential before building any parametric definition.

Lesson 3 • Scripting Logic and Conditionals

Introduces Boolean logic, conditional branches, and basic math operations. Students add decision-making to definitions for adaptive parametric models.

Lesson 4 • Lists, Trees, and Data Management

Explains list operations, tree grafting, flattening, and path mapping. Mastering data structures unlocks complex multi-object parametric workflows.

Lesson 1 • Materials and Textures

Covers PBR material creation, texture mapping, and UV unwrapping. Accurate materials are the foundation of photorealistic rendering output.

Lesson 2 • Viewport Display and Real-Time Preview

Covers Rendered display mode, custom display modes, and real-time preview tools. Students use fast feedback to iterate on material and lighting decisions.

Lesson 3 • Rendering Settings and Output

Explains resolution, sampling, render passes, and output formats. Students configure settings to balance quality and render time efficiently.

Lesson 4 • Animation and Turntable Output

Teaches camera path animation, turntable setup, and video export. Students produce animated presentations for client review and portfolio use.

Lesson 1 • CNC and Laser Cutting Preparation

Covers toolpath-ready geometry, nesting, and DXF/DWG export for CNC and laser workflows. Students prepare flat and 3D geometry for digital fabrication.

Lesson 2 • Interoperability and CAD Exchange

Addresses STEP, IGES, and SAT export for exchange with other CAD platforms. Students configure export settings to preserve geometry fidelity across software.

Lesson 3 • 2D Drawing and Layout Production

Explains Make2D, detail views, and layout page setup for technical drawings. Students produce dimensioned drawings for fabrication and client documentation.

Lesson 4 • Mesh Generation and STL Export

Teaches mesh settings, polygon density, and STL export for 3D printing. Students balance mesh resolution against file size for printer compatibility.