Tutorial 2.2: 3D Print

Part 1. 3D Print

Part2: Prepare 3D print files in Rhino

1. Geometry Types in Rhino

Rhino has three geometry types. Understanding them matters because 3D printers only read mesh data.

	NURBS	Mesh	SubD
What it is	Math-defined curves/surfaces	Triangles + quads	Subdivision cage (spline-based)
Created by	Loft, Sweep, Revolve, Boolean	Import STL/OBJ, 3D scan, Mesh command	SubD tools, converted from mesh
3D Print Ready?	❌ Must convert	✅ If watertight	❌ Must convert

To check your geometry type: select an object → look at the Properties panel.

The workflow: Design in NURBS/SubD → ShrinkWrap → Export STL → Slice → Print

 

2. ShrinkWrap — From Any Geometry to Print-Ready Mesh

ShrinkWrap (new in Rhino 8) wraps a watertight closed mesh around any geometry — NURBS, SubD, meshes, point clouds, or any messy combination — in one step. It replaces the old multi-step repair workflow entirely.

💡 Note: ShrinkWrap is also available as a Grasshopper component — useful when you want to integrate 3D print prep into a parametric workflow.

Watch These Two Videos First

Just watch to get a sense of what ShrinkWrap can do — no need to stop and follow along. We'll practice with the exercises below.

▶ Watch on YouTube ↗

▶ Watch on YouTube ↗

Then Complete These Three Exercises

Follow the official McNeel ShrinkWrap tutorial. It contains three exercises with downloadable example files:

🔗 McNeel ShrinkWrap Tutorial (with exercise files)

Exercise 1 — Jewelry (NURBS): ShrinkWrap 54 separate spheres + a SubD prong into a single printable mesh.

Exercise 2 — Sliced Model (Curves → Point Cloud): Extract points from curve slices, then ShrinkWrap the point cloud into a solid.

Exercise 3 — 3D Scan Repair (Broken Mesh): Patch large holes with SubD faces, then ShrinkWrap into a clean closed mesh.

For each exercise, after you get a successful ShrinkWrap result:

1. Run Check → confirm it says "closed mesh"
2. Export Selected → choose STL (Binary) → save as .stl

Submission

Submit three STL files (one per exercise) to Canvas, by 11:59pm Feb 27.

Exercise 2.2

 

 

Update Feb 27 -  issues of 3D face

3DFace: When using the 3DFace command, ensure the output toggle is switched from Mesh to SubD.

Osnap: Enable Vertex snap. Turn off Smart Track temporarily to prevent UI clutter during vertex selection.

You can also use any other ways to fill the holes!