---
id: rhino3dm
version: "8.32.0"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# rhino3dm — Python library based on OpenNURBS with a RhinoCommon style

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 241.4K/mo

## 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 above — verify before relying.

rhino3dm provides Python bindings to OpenNURBS geometry and 3D modeling operations, allowing you to read, write, and manipulate Rhino 3D model files and geometric data programmatically.

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

pip install rhino3dm
uv add rhino3dm
poetry add rhino3dm

## Installing rhino3dm

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.

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)

Requires Python 3.9 or later; compiled wheels are prebuilt for common platforms but source distributions may require a C++ compiler.

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_current
- Install friction: medium
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 241.4K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

3d geometry python library, rhino 3dm file format, nurbs curves surfaces, 3d model manipulation, rhino file reader writer, geometric modeling python, 3dm file parsing, 3d-geometry, nurbs, cad-formats

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