What File Format can Rhinoceros Open?

Rhinoceros, also known as Rhino or Rhino3D, is ideal for those into 3D design out of passion, educational, or work-related reasons. It has plenty of uses in pretty much any domain where precise 3D design is required.

One thing that sets Rhinoceros apart is that its geometry is based on the NURBS mathematical model, which focuses on producing a mathematically precise representation of curves and freeform surfaces in computer graphics.

This is different from typical CAD programs, which use polygon meshes. One of Rhinoceros’s other key selling points is its versatility regarding the file formats it can support.

What are the file formats supported by Rhino?

Rhino 3D Model (except Rhino 1.x save/export) .3dm	E57 .e57	MotionBuilder .fbx	SketchUp .skp
Rhino 3D Model Backup .3dmbak	Embroidery .dst, .exp	NextEngine Scan .scn	SLC .slc
Rhino Worksession .rws	Enhanced Metafile .emf	OBJ .obj	SOLIDWORKS .sldprt, .sldasm
3MF .3mf	Encapsulated PostScript .eps	Object Properties .csv	STEP .stp, .step
3D Studio .3ds	Geomview OFF .off	Parasolid .x_t	STL (Stereolithography) .stl
AMF .amf	GHS Geometry .gf, .gft	PDF .pdf	VDA .vda
ACIS .sat	GHS Part Maker .pm	PLY .ply	VRML/Open Inventor .wrl, .vrml, .vi
Adobe Illustrator .ai	Google Earth .kmz	Points .asc, .csv, .xyz, .cgo_ascii,.cgo_asci, .pts 1	WAMIT .gdf
AutoCAD Drawing .dwg	GTS (GNU Triangulated Surface) .gts	Points .txt	Windows Metafile .wmf
AutoCAD Drawing Exchange .dxf	IGES .igs, .iges	Raw Triangles .raw	X3D .x3dv
COLLADA .dae	Lightwave .lwo	Recon M .m	XAML .xaml
Cult3D .cd	Microstation .dgn	RenderMan .rib	XGL .xgl
DirectX .x	Moray UDO .udo	Scalable Vector Graphics .svg	Zcorp .zpr

While this already extended list can be expanded even more with plugins, what it can handle on its own is more than enough for the casual user.

Of course, if you do decide on including plugins for Rhinoceros, then the library of compatible formats will also contain the following:

• 3DPDF
• ACIS
• CATIA V4, v5 and v6
• CGR
• Inventor
• JT
• Parasolid
• PLMXML
• Creo Parametric
• Solid Edge
• Siemens NX

Other programs that can open the files that Rhino can

Since Rhino can open plenty of file formats that are more or less specific to CAD tools, it goes without saying that other programs can pretty much do the same job.

If you don’t like using Rhinoceros for one reason or another, try checking out these alternatives:

• Adobe Illustrator
• AutoCAD Drawing
• AutoCAD

As you can see, Rhinoceros is very good at handling a wide variety of CAD and even non-CAD file formats. As such, as long as you learn how to use it efficiently, It can become a universal CAD format.

Did you find the format you need in Rhinoceros’s list of supported formats? In the comments section below, let us know what other formats it should support.

And if you happen to be looking for convenient ways to open ADOC files too, rest assured that our dedicated guide can help.