Rhino and Maxsurf Workflow
Rhino is a general purpose NURB modelling tool developed by McNeel and many of our users use Rhino in conjunction with Maxsurf. Our recommended approach is to start modelling in Maxsurf and to use it for the major hull surfaces. These are the surfaces which require highest fairness and Maxsurf's tools support and encourage high quality surface modelling. You will find the fairness evaluation tools and in-built hydrostatics useful as you work. Another benefit is that the surfaces created in Maxsurf will be well suited to the parametric transformation functions available inside the program.
You should then use Rhino for additional modelling which is more geometric in nature such as superstructures, fillets and deck or cockpit features. Rhino is a good tool for creating folded, extruded and swept surfaces.
Maxsurf provides complete round-trip data exchange with Rhino. This allows both import and export of Rhino models in native 3DM format and preserves information like surface names, colours, assemblies and surface trimming. Maxsurf and Rhino use a slightly different trimming approach. Maxsurf's trimming is dynamic and updates interactively as you modify surfaces and curves.
Using the correct workflow is an important way of ensuring you get the best out of each program. The diagram below illustrates typical workflow using Maxsurf, Rhino and other CAD systems like ShipConstructor. You can always bring your Rhino model back for analysis in Hydromax, Seakeeper or Hullspeed if the Rhino surfaces are required for those programs.
