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by mikechristenson

Step-by-Step: 2D AutoCAD to Rhino

Two step-by-step methods for moving from 2D AutoCAD drawings to Rhino:

IMPORT/EXTRUDE METHOD:

This method begins with a set of pre-drawn AutoCAD plans, although the plans could also be drawn directly in Rhino using 2D drawing commands.

1.  Import the AutoCAD drawings to Rhino. [Type IMPORT.]

2.  Create a new layer for the plan drawings. Group the imported drawings into this new layer. [Type LAYER; create a new layer; select objects; type CHANGELAYER.]

3.  Create another new layer for new walls.

4.  Make sure OSNAP is turned on (toolbar at the bottom of the screen). Check END to lock to endpoints.

5.  Invoke the POLYLINE command to trace the wall surfaces from the AutoCAD drawings. (Alternatively, create the wall surfaces as polylines in AutoCAD prior to import.)

6.  Invoke the EXTRUDECRV (“Extrude Curve”) command to extrude the walls to their proper height.

7.  Invoke the CAP command to close the top and bottom of the extruded walls.

8.  Use the BOOLEANDIFFERENCE command to “subtract” openings from the walls.

IMPORT/CONSTRUCT METHOD:

This method begins with a set of pre-drawn AutoCAD plans, although the plans could also be drawn directly in Rhino using 2D drawing commands.

1.  Import the AutoCAD drawings to Rhino. [Type IMPORT.]

2.  Create a new layer for the plan drawings. Group the imported drawings into this new layer. [Type LAYER; create a new layer; select objects; type CHANGELAYER.]

3.  Create another new layer for new walls.

4.  Make sure OSNAP is turned on (toolbar at the bottom of the screen). Check END to lock to endpoints.

5.  Use the BOX command to construct boxes of correct height and size on the AutoCAD drawings.

6.  Use the BOOLEANUNION command to join separate walls together.

7.  Use the BOOLEANDIFFERENCE command to “subtract” openings from the walls.

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by mikechristenson

Rhino: Importing and Exporting

TO EXPORT A MODEL OR DRAWING FROM RHINO:

Choose File > Export Selected or File > Export With Origin to save information in AutoCAD, Illustrator, Sketchup, .stl, and many other file formats.

File > Export With Origin is useful if you want to keep models registered (i. e., correctly aligned) between two or more software applications.

 

TO IMPORT A MODEL OR DRAWING TO RHINO:

To import a model means to place it within an existing model. Choose File > Import to import an existing digital model or drawing (AutoCAD, Illustrator, SketchUp). Make sure to select the correct file type.

You can also use File > Open to open an existing digital model in Rhino. Make sure to select the correct file type.

NOTE: Rhino will not directly open or import a Revit model. To open or import Revit information to Rhino, use AutoCAD as an intermediary.

by mikechristenson

Rhino: Layers

Every object in a Rhino model belongs to a layer. A layer can be turned off, causing the objects assigned to that layer to disappear from view. A layer can be locked, protecting the objects assigned to that layer from accidental erasure or displacement.

To create a new layer:

Type LAYER to open the Layers panel. Use the New button to create and name a layer; use the color swatches to assign colors to layers; use the Current button to choose a layer for drawing (newly drawn objects appear on the current layer).

To change an object’s layer, use either of these methods:

1. Type CHANGELAYER. Select one or more objects, press Enter, and then select the desired destination layer.

2. Type MATCHPROPERTIES to assign the properties of a source object, including its layer assignment, to one or more other objects.

by mikechristenson

Rhino: Selecting Objects

Many commands will prompt you to select objects. The following are acceptable methods of responding to the select objects prompt. When you are finished selecting objects using any one or a combination of these methods, press enter to continue the original command.

TO SELECT OBJECTS:

Click on objects one-at-a-time using the left mouse button.

OR drag a window around the object(s). When dragged from left to right, a selection window will select only those objects completely within the window. When drawn from right to left, a window will select all objects within and contacted by the window.

OR type ALL. Selects everything in the current space.

OR hold down the CTRL key while selecting objects; this has the effect of removing objects from the current selection.

by mikechristenson

Rhino: Special Keys

In Rhino, the [enter] key and the space bar, for most purposes, are identical in function. (The right mouse button also functions equivalently under most circumstances.)

[esc] (escape) Click two or three times in succession to cancel any command and return to the basic Command prompt.

[delete] is used to erase a selection.

[F1] brings up Rhino’s Help.

[F8] turns the orthographic lock function on and off.

by mikechristenson

Rhino: Commonly Used Commands

Rhino responds to commands entered into the Command prompt. Some of the basic modeling commands are as follows:

BOX constructs a box with a base on the current construction plane. Useful for building basic rectangular components of buildings, including rectangular masses, walls, floors, etc. For non-rectangular objects, try using POLYLINE, EXTRUDECRV, and CAP in combination.

RECTANGLE draws a 2D rectangle on the current construction plane.

POLYLINE draws a 2D or 3D polyline in space. This command is useful for establishing the “base profile” of volumes to be extruded.

EXTRUDECRV converts a curve (a 2D path) into a surface or polysurface, extruded perpendicular to the current construction plane.

CAP fixes “holes” in a polysurface, e. g., places a “bottom” and a “top” surface on an extruded closed curve.

BOOLEANUNION joins two or more volumes into one.

BOOLEANDIFFERENCE cuts one volume from another. Useful for making openings in walls.

LINE draws a line between 2 points.

MOVE moves a selection.

COPY copies a selection.

TRIM trims one object with another.

EXTEND lengthens or shortends curves.

CONNECT extends and trims curves to meet at endpoints.

CIRCLE draws a circle.

ARC draws an arc.

OFFSET creates a parallel or concentric copy of an object.

Note that most Rhino commands have command-line options, invoked by typing a single letter or by clicking on the option in the command line.

by mikechristenson

Rhino: Classes of Objects

Rhino can work with many different classes of objects, including:

CURVES In Rhino, “curves” may be closed or open; they include actual curves as well as straight lines; they may be restricted to 2D or may occupy 3D space. This class includes lines.

SURFACES are infinitesimally thin, arbitrarily flexible “sheets.” Represented by outline curves and “isocurves” interior to the surface. In Rhino, surfaces are represented and constructed using the NURBS mechanism.

POLYSURFACES are objects consisting of two or more surfaces joined together.

SOLIDS are equivalent to completely closed surfaces and polysurfaces (e. g., spheres, boxes). However, note that Rhino solids are always hollow, like SketchUp solids but unlike AutoCAD solids.