Online Rhino Course | The Complete Beginner Guide to Rhino

Lesson 1 – What is Rhino (6:47). In this lesson, we’ll establish the foundation for everything you’ll do in Rhino. We will examine what Rhino is at its core, explore its primary applications across diverse design fields, dissect the distinct geometry representations it supports, introduce the beginnings of its parametric capabilities, and survey the broad spectrum of file formats Rhino can import and export. 

Lesson 2 – Interface and Navigation (17:50). In this lesson, we turn our attention to the Interface and Navigation – the fundamental controls and conventions that will allow you to move through Rhino’s 3D space with confidence and efficiency.

Lesson 3 – Creating Basic Geometry: Points and Curves (25:21). In this lesson you will learn how to place points, draw a variety of curve types, and edit them through their control points. Mastery of these basic elements is essential, because everything you create in Rhino – surfaces, solids, meshes – begins with points and curves. 

Lesson 4 – Creating Basic Geometry: Planes and Solids (43:22). Building on our mastery of points, curves, and navigation, today we’ll explore how to establish your working plane, generate both open surfaces and fully enclosed solids, and understand the relationships between curves, surfaces, and volumes.

Lesson 5 – Working with Precision (28:30). Accuracy is the bedrock of professional modelling: without precise control over coordinates, snaps, and units, even beautifully crafted forms can fail to meet real‐world requirements. In this lesson, we’ll explore Rhino’s tools for working with exact values and constraints.

Lesson 6 – Editing and Transforming Objects (24:22). In this lesson, we transition from creating geometry to controlling and reshaping it. Rhino’s robust editing and transform toolkit lets you reposition, copy, rotate, scale, mirror, and array objects, as well as refine and combine geometry with booleans, trims, fillets, and more. Mastery of these commands underpins every modelling workflow.

Lesson 7 – Model Management (25:01). In this lesson, we will explore Rhino’s model management tools: how to structure your scene with layers, inspect and edit object properties, control visibility, and fine – tune display modes.

Lesson 8 – Working with External Files (19:47). In this lesson, we’ll bring the outside world in – importing reference drawings, photos, and CAD data – and align them precisely to guide our modelling.

Lesson 9 – 2D Drawing and Tracing (51:47). In this lesson, we’ll review Rhino’s drawing commands, layer and model‐management best practices for references, and creating dedicated guide geometry – planar curves or surfaces – that frame your model without becoming part of the final volume.

Lesson 10 – 3D Modelling from 2D Drawings (1:40:20). In this lesson, we’ll transform curves into solid geometry – walls, floors, roofs – using Rhino’s powerful modelling commands. Simultaneously, we’ll maintain a clear distinction between your original 2D reference and the emerging 3D model via thoughtful layer and file management.

Lesson 11 – Site and Topography (48:17). In this lesson, we’ll move beyond the building envelope and begin modelling the ground itself – the site and its changing elevations. Accurately representing topography is crucial for context, grading studies, and integration of landscape and built form.

Lesson 12 – Objects and Furniture (40:15). In this lesson, it’s time to add the human scale – furniture, fixtures, and equipment – that brings both life and realism to our model. We’ll cover sourcing 3D models – where to find reliable Rhino – native content and how to convert from other formats; Importing best practices – validating, cleaning, and preparing models before insertion; Bringing furniture into the scene – layer management and placement using real examples.

Lesson 13 – Materials and Lighting (28:10). In this lesson, it’s time to bring surfaces and spaces to life through materials and lighting. Mastering these tools elevates your presentation from a raw 3D mass to a compelling, photorealistic environment.

Lesson 14 – Camera and Views (19:29). In this lesson, it’s time to frame the building for presentation. Camera placement and view configuration are critical for conveying design intent, highlighting form, and producing compelling images.

Lesson 15 – Plans, Elevations, and Sections (33:48). In this lesson, we’ll generate the essential 2D documentation: plans, elevations, and sections. These views provide orthographic representations for construction drawings, client review, and coordination.

Lesson 16 – Layouts and Sheets (37:50). In this lesson, we’ll explore how to assemble your plans, elevations, sections, and perspectives into formatted drawing sheets complete with titleblocks – ready for plotting or PDF export.

Lesson 17 – Adding depth to drawings (40:51). With your layouts and sheets in place, the final step toward compelling construction documentation is adding graphic depth – annotations, dimensions, text notes, hatches, and varied line weights/linetypes. These elements clarify function, materiality, and hierarchy on the page. 

Lesson 18 – Exporting Drawings and Views (21:11). In this lesson, we’ll cover preparing your layouts and drawings for export, exporting views as raster images, and exporting your model for use in other software. These steps are essential for turning your Rhino file into a versatile, portable design package that’s ready for presentation, printing, or continued development in other platforms.