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(continued...) In all the analysis views a turntable command gives a useful dynamic view of the surfaces rotating.
Although Rhino is not intended as a full drafting application, selected 3D objects can be projected into a 2D drawing.
A single command generates three orthographic and an isometric view on the active construction plane including hidden line and layer placement options.
A range of annotation and dimensioning tools are now available and are supported in IGES, DWG and DXF exports.
Autocad 2000 file types are supported and objects can be exported in ACIS and Parasolid formats.
VRML exports now include object and background colours.
STL meshes can be imported for validation or even fixing surface defects and support is available for MicroScribe and Space Arm 3D digitisers.
Modelling can be conducted in wireframe or shaded modes with the model in white.
Objects can be individually coloured or use layer properties to structure the model.
This can be slow on the first render as a render mesh is generated from the NURBS objects.
By default this is saved with the geometry but a small save option allows a more compact file to be generated without render or analysis meshes if required.
OpenGL shading and render previews can also be displayed, utilising OpenGL hardware acceleration when it is available.
In addition to the integrated Rhino render engine, file export and material assignment tools are provided for the free external POV-Ray 3.1 raytracing application and the supplied Blue Moon Rendering Tools.
Rhino offers extensive modelling, free form surface creation and visualisation tools with exccellent data compatibility and accuracy for use in downstream engineering applications.
The learning curve is short and an international support network has been established to offer help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
All this is available from Softcover for £499.