Rhino 3D vs Solid Edge

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.

Solid Edge is a product development portfolio that combines direct modeling with parametric design through synchronous technology. It covers 3D design, simulation, manufacturing, technical publications and data management. Each of its four 3D design packages includes part and assembly design, 2D drafting, common 2D and 3D file import and export, data management and mesh modeling. Capabilities include animation tools, parametric modeling, a built-in render engine and 3D print export. Package features vary: Foundation includes sheet metal, frame and weldments, surface modeling and basic FEA simulation; Classic adds reverse engineering and generative design; Premium adds advanced motion and stress simulation, optimization, point cloud visualization, electrical routing, PCB collaboration, and pipe and tube design. Integrated data management includes Windows Explorer integration, thumbnails, Revision Manager and View and Markup. Solid Edge integrates with Teamcenter and Teamcenter Share for product data management and cloud collaboration. Siemens offers a 30-day PC trial and free editions for students, teachers, qualifying startups, personal community use and 2D Drafting. Solid Edge 2026 is certified for supported 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise or Professional editions.