RhinoArtisan is a jewelry CAD software built on Rhino’s NURBS-based modeling engine, enhanced with dedicated tools for jewelry design, parametric workflows and SubD modeling. Developed by Rafel del Molino and the team at 2Shapes, the software evolves from the ecosystem of RhinoGold, positioning itself as a specialized environment focused entirely on jewelry creation. Unlike general-purpose CAD tools, RhinoArtisan is designed specifically to address the needs of jewelry designers, aiming to simplify complex modeling processes while maintaining precision and production-ready output.
A Simple Tool for Jewelry Modeling
RhinoArtisan was designed to provide a more accessible and efficient approach to jewelry modeling. Its interface is built to reduce complexity and help designers focus on creativity rather than technical constraints. Custom tools and dedicated workflows allow users to speed up production while maintaining full control over design precision.
The goal is not to replace traditional CAD systems, but to refine them into a more focused environment tailored specifically for jewelry creation.
Parametric Design Approach
A key foundation of RhinoArtisan is its integration with the parametric modeling ecosystem of Grasshopper. This allows designers to use a highly flexible parametric workflow where nearly every aspect of a design can be adjusted dynamically.
From gemstone type to ring dimensions, parameters can be modified through a streamlined interface, making complex parametric modeling more accessible to non-technical users.
This approach significantly reduces repetitive modeling tasks while increasing design flexibility.
From Modeling to Presentation
RhinoArtisan integrates multiple tools to support the full jewelry design pipeline, from modeling to presentation.
One of the key features is its SubD-based modeling system, which allows designers to sculpt organic shapes by pulling, twisting and blending geometry in real time. This is particularly useful for creating fluid and highly detailed jewelry forms.
The software also includes an automatic view generation system, which provides predefined camera angles for faster presentation workflows. This reduces production time when preparing client previews or design presentations.
Additionally, RhinoArtisan includes a library of ready-to-use project templates, which are especially useful for new users or designers looking for reference-based inspiration.
New Features in RhinoArtisan 6.8
The 6.8 update continues RhinoArtisan’s focus on workflow efficiency and production speed.
New Production Workflow Improvements
The latest version introduces enhanced control over default settings, allowing users to define preset values that automatically apply across projects. This reduces repetitive setup tasks and improves workflow consistency.
Another major addition is the Standardize Command, which automatically converts external CAD files into editable Rhino-compatible geometry. This significantly improves interoperability between different CAD systems and eliminates manual conversion steps.
A further improvement is the Estimate Size tool, which allows designers to automatically determine ring sizes based on existing models, improving accuracy and reducing manual calculation errors.
Design and Workflow Enhancements
RhinoArtisan 6.8 also introduces performance and usability improvements across the interface and modeling tools.
The update includes customizable layer colors and a refreshed icon set, improving visual clarity during production workflows.
On the modeling side, enhancements have been introduced for Cluster and Halo systems, including the ability to enforce stone count, improved Basket Cap bump functionality, and expanded support for pear-shaped stones within Halo configurations.
These improvements are particularly useful for creating symmetrical and highly controlled jewelry arrangements.
Minor Updates
Additional improvements in this release include:
- Improved gemstone reporting tools, offering greater control when managing complex stone configurations
- Stability and performance optimizations, addressing multiple user-reported issues for a smoother modeling experience
Conclusion
RhinoArtisan continues to evolve as a dedicated solution for jewelry design, focusing on simplifying complex CAD workflows while maintaining a high level of precision and control. With its combination of parametric design, SubD modeling and automated production tools, the software bridges the gap between creative design and technical manufacturing requirements.
The 6.8 update further reinforces this direction, improving workflow efficiency, interoperability and usability for professional jewelry designers.
To find out more, visit the RhinoArtisan Official Site.
– article by G. D’Ambrogio
