rhino3dm
Python library based on OpenNURBS with a RhinoCommon style
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need to work with Rhino 3D models or OpenNURBS geometry in Python. The package is actively maintained, has no external dependencies, supports current Python versions, and carries a permissive MIT license. Medium install friction is typical for compiled bindings and is not a barrier on common platforms. No known vulnerabilities.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.9 or later; compiled wheels are prebuilt for common platforms but source distributions may require a C++ compiler.
- Medium install friction due to compiled bindings, but wheels are available for Python 3.9–3.14 on Windows, macOS (universal), and Linux x86_64/aarch64.
- Package is actively maintained with a recent release.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license is permissive; you may use, modify, and distribute rhino3dm with minimal restrictions, provided you include the license notice.
last release 2026-07-28 (17 days)
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 241,409 downloads/mo, #8,878 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install rhino3dm
from rhino3dm import File3dm
model = File3dm.Read('model.3dm')
for obj in model.Objects:
geometry = obj.Geometry
bbox = geometry.GetBoundingBox()
print(bbox.Min, bbox.Max)- Whether the package's OpenNURBS bindings cover the full geometry API or a subset of Rhino's modeling capabilities.
- Performance characteristics and memory footprint when working with large or complex 3D models.
- Compatibility with Rhino versions beyond the current release cycle.
What it is and what it does
rhino3dm is a Python library that wraps OpenNURBS, the open-source geometry kernel used by Rhino 3D. It lets you work with 3D models, curves, surfaces, and other geometric objects in Python without needing Rhino itself installed. You can read and write .3dm files, query object properties like bounding boxes, and manipulate geometry programmatically.
The library is maintained by McNeel (Rhino's creator) and follows RhinoCommon conventions, making it familiar to Rhino scripters. It has no runtime dependencies beyond Python itself, and precompiled wheels are available for modern Python versions on Windows, macOS, and Linux, though installation does pull in compiled bindings.
Use it for
- Batch-process Rhino 3D model files to extract geometry, metadata, or convert between formats.
- Build server-side tools that analyze or generate 3D models without a Rhino license.
- Integrate 3D geometry operations into Python data pipelines or automation scripts.
- Parse and validate .3dm files in CI/CD workflows or design automation systems.
- Develop computational geometry applications that leverage NURBS curves and surfaces.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need to work with Rhino 3D models or OpenNURBS geometry in Python.
The package is actively maintained, has no external dependencies, supports current Python versions, and carries a permissive MIT license. Medium install friction is typical for compiled bindings and is not a barrier on common platforms. No known vulnerabilities.
Install
rhino3dm on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled bindings, but wheels are available for Python 3.9–3.14 on Windows, macOS (universal), and Linux x86_64/aarch64. Package is actively maintained with a recent release.
Requires Python 3.9 or later; compiled wheels are prebuilt for common platforms but source distributions may require a C++ compiler.
License in practice
MIT license is permissive; you may use, modify, and distribute rhino3dm with minimal restrictions, provided you include the license notice.
Quickstart
pip install rhino3dm
from rhino3dm import File3dm
model = File3dm.Read('model.3dm')
for obj in model.Objects:
geometry = obj.Geometry
bbox = geometry.GetBoundingBox()
print(bbox.Min, bbox.Max)Verify before relying
- Whether the package's OpenNURBS bindings cover the full geometry API or a subset of Rhino's modeling capabilities.
- Performance characteristics and memory footprint when working with large or complex 3D models.
- Compatibility with Rhino versions beyond the current release cycle.
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.9 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 17 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 241,409 / month, #8,878 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Intended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp310-cp310-macosx_14_0_universal2.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp310-cp310-macosx_15_0_universal2.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp311-cp311-macosx_14_0_universal2.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp311-cp311-macosx_15_0_universal2.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp312-cp312-macosx_14_0_universal2.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp312-cp312-macosx_15_0_universal2.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp312-cp312-win_amd64.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp313-cp313-macosx_14_0_universal2.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp313-cp313-macosx_15_0_universal2.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp313-cp313-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp313-cp313-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; rhino3dm-8.32.0-cp313-cp313-win_amd64.whl
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