Tommy L Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I have a client that wants to send me some Rhino models for me to work on (texture and render etc). I have not used Rhino before. I am unfamiliar with the file formats and compatibility. What should I ask them to give me? Can I open a Rhino file directly in Max2008? Or should I ask them to export a .3ds or maybe .obj? Any help much appreciated, I'm in a bit of a hurry. Thanks, Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Warner Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I've had the best and quickest luck with obj files. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy L Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 Thanks Chad. I actually called the Rhino helpline. Good of them to help me out as Im not a customer. They said to use .3ds \However, Ive had some scrappy imports from other programs using 3ds, so I may just ask the client to use both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Warner Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 We just finished up some boat renderings and all of the initial geometry was created in Rhino, and I tried several different options, and with that particular model, OBJ was the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy L Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 Well I'm going to guess that experience from a pro is worth more than advice over the phone from a telesales guy. I'll have .obj as my starting point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dollus Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 might want to consider Npower Rhino import plugin http://www.npowersoftware.com/translators/ptoverview.htm you can open rhino files natively in Max, convert nurbs to polys as needed without having to reimport. They also have a free utility to install on any render farm systems so you only need one license for your main workstation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy L Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 Thanks John, if it was a bigger job I'd go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antisthenes Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Rhino is the tool of choice for designers save your selfs the extra steps and use it if you can would be my advise or Npower tools makes a great translator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Warner Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Well I'm going to guess that experience from a pro is worth more than advice over the phone from a telesales guy. I'll have .obj as my starting point! I wouldn't call myself a pro. I just know we tried several different methods, and that one seemed to be the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alless Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Well as I have experienced all ways ... I Surely say that the best thing is Npower Plugin . It's Great ....... anyway obj and 3ds are never good to me ... They damage the model Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Bergeron Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 I once worked in a viz office and the pipeline was Rhino to Max w/vray. We always built everything in Rhino and then exported as DWG. However, your client needs to know how to fine tune the export options for the most optimized export. I would agree with Jonas that Rhino is a good program to have. I use it for all my modelling as well as for doing quick simple renders during the form-finding stages (I am the in-house 3d architect in the firm I am currently working for). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antisthenes Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 cool BEAM do you have an opinion on the Archcut and VisualARQ plug-ins ? Lately at my firm where I have a similar role to you, 3d sustainability architect designer, we use less autocad and no max now and I am using more experimental holistic approaches with my models take offs and 2d parallel projections, so also cutting out some adobe work. also is there any reason you go to autodesk in the end, and have you tried the various render engines , Brazil, Vray for Rhino, Fryrender, Flamingo2 or Maxwell? maybe, I have not tried it but, MOI will export your 3dm files to quad meshes and that would make your 'mesh version of the model look nicer/cleaner upon import to max, because I know what you are talking about when it comes to bad gradient facets eekk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAYMOND Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 Rhino is the tool of choice for designers save your selfs the extra steps and use it if you can would be my advise or Npower tools makes a great translator. just curious, and why would Rhino be the tool of choice do you in mean in creation or the final print.. just thot I would raise my hand... r Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antisthenes Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 It can be and is for me at many times in the final printing, but i more meant in terms of conceptual designing, rendering(contingent upon what engines you own), and animation. especially since it is a boat model i would want to stay in NURBS because i would not want any mesh approximation that would reduce quality, thus npower or stay in rhino. ACISout command might help too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alless Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 well I only Move it too Max Because of easier Texture mapping and also Plugins like Hair and Fur ..... Scatter Tool ... Things that are not available in Rhino Standalone .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antisthenes Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 the texture mapping is, a furry hairy boat cute. when exporting your mesh from Rhinoceros there are some settings the custom way you are going to want to fiddle with to get it not so expensive and not too much a poor quality. there are tutorials on the McNeel wiki for this. http://en.wiki.mcneel.com/default.aspx/McNeel/MeshFAQ.html good luck and if you need any help if you choose to keep the model native it's there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy L Posted September 19, 2008 Author Share Posted September 19, 2008 thanks for all the help guys. as it turns out the project fell through, so I wont be doing it. very generous with your advice though, so many thanks Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now