3Design CAD vs Rhino 3D
3Design CAD
3design.comRhino 3D
rhino3d.comSide by side
| Figure | 3Design CAD | Rhino 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $95/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 14 |
| Spec score · Jewelry Design Software | 8.4 (#7) | 8.8 (#2) |
| Spec score · 3D modeling software | 7.9 (#86) | 9.5 (#1) |
| Animation tools | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Rillieux-la-Pape, France | The company lists its Seattle, Washington office at 146 N Canal Street, Suite 320. |
| Maker | The site identifies 3DESIGN as a TYPE3 Software brand and lists its worldwide headquarters in Rillieux-la-Pape, France. | Robert McNeel & Associates, also identified as TLM, Inc., is privately held and employee-owned and was founded in 1980. |
| Parametric modeling | Yes | Yes |
| Platform access | desktop | desktop |
| 3D print export | Yes | Yes |
| Render engine | built-in | both |
| System requirements | The maker recommends 16 GB RAM and a dedicated graphics card for Windows, and recommends Apple Silicon with 16 GB RAM for Mac. | Rhino 8 supports Windows 10/11 and macOS 12.4 through macOS 27, with at least 8 GB RAM recommended; Linux and Windows Server are unsupported for the desktop app. |
Plans
Rhino 3D
- Commercial — Rhino 8 single concurrent user$995 a month
- Commercial — Rhino 8, 10 concurrent users$9,950 a month
- Commercial — Rhino 8, 50 concurrent users$49,750 a month
- Commercial upgrade — Rhino 8 single concurrent user$595 a month
- Student or faculty — Rhino 8 single user$195 a month
- Student or faculty upgrade — Rhino 8 single user$95 a month
- School — Rhino 8, 30-user lab$975 a month
- EvaluationFree
- Rhino 8 EvaluationFree
- Rhino 8 Educational Single User$195, paid once
In their own words
3Design CAD
3Design CAD is desktop CAD/CAM software for professional jewelry design, available on macOS and Windows. Its parametric construction tree lets users revise designs after creating them. Jewelry-specific tools include custom stone building, advanced pavé, and microsetting; the software also has sculpting and animation tools, parametric modeling, a built-in render engine, and 3D print export. The maker describes Version 13 as adding over 400 fixes and 50 new features across stone setting, curves, interface, and performance. Version 13's rendering engine includes reflections, ambient occlusion, bloom effects, and refined materials. Installers are available for both operating systems, with separate downloads for the software, model libraries, and Swarovski stone libraries. Files can be shared between Mac and Windows, and the maker lists compatibility with 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse. A 30-day Version 13 trial includes access to experts for questions and guidance. Recommended specifications are 16 GB RAM and a dedicated graphics card for Windows, or Apple Silicon with 16 GB RAM for Mac. Pricing and license details are available from a sales representative.
Rhino 3D
Rhino 3D is desktop software for Windows and macOS with listed capabilities for parametric modeling, animation, rendering, and 3D print export. The commercial Rhino 8 single concurrent-user license is listed at $995 a month, billed as a permanent license that does not expire. Licenses for 10 and 50 concurrent users are listed at $9,950 a month and $49,750 a month, respectively, also as permanent licenses. Student or faculty and school options are listed, with educational-status or school-licensing requirements. Commercial and student or faculty upgrade options are available, though evaluation versions cannot be upgraded. A free evaluation license costs nothing and lasts 90 days; saving and plugins stop working after that period. The listing describes Rhino 3D as paid while also indicating a free plan and free trial. Its maker is listed as founded in 1980 and based in Seattle, Washington, USA.