Today, we’re excited to announce the release of Rhino 2026, delivering groundbreaking innovations that will transform how architects, designers, engineers, and artists create and interact with 3D models. This major update introduces powerful AI-assisted modeling capabilities, extended reality workflows, and enhanced collaboration tools that significantly boost productivity while maintaining the precision and flexibility Rhino users demand.

AI-Powered Design Assistant: Your Intelligent Modeling Partner

The centerpiece of Rhino 2026 is our revolutionary new Design Assistant, an AI-powered tool that understands design principles and helps automate complex modeling and surfacing tasks while ensuring high-quality geometry.

“Design Assistant represents the biggest leap forward in 3D modeling productivity since the introduction of SubD,” says Bob McNeel, CEO of McNeel & Associates. “It works alongside designers, learning from their modeling approaches and preferences to become an increasingly valuable design partner.”

Intelligent Surface Creation

Design Assistant analyzes your model’s geometry and can automatically suggest appropriate surface types based on curvature, continuity requirements, and design intent. As you model a complex form, the system recognizes patterns and can intelligently create surfaces with proper tangency and curvature continuity that meet both aesthetic and manufacturing requirements.

Natural Language Modeling Commands

Rhino 2026 introduces a powerful natural language interface that allows you to describe modeling operations in plain English. Simply type or speak commands like “create a 3-meter radius sphere positioned at the intersection of these curves” or “blend these surfaces with G2 continuity and 10mm radius,” and watch as Rhino models your intent.

Automated Geometry Analysis

The new intelligent analysis system automatically checks your model against manufacturability standards, ensuring proper fillets, draft angles, and minimum thickness requirements are met throughout the modeling process.

Extended Reality for Immersive Design

Rhino 2026 takes model visualization and interaction to new dimensions with features designed for immersive creation and review.

AR/VR Model Creation

Designers can now enter a virtual reality environment for direct 3D modeling, sculpting forms in space and manipulating control points with intuitive hand gestures. The AR mode allows you to place your designs in real-world contexts for scale and proportion evaluation.

Holographic Collaboration

Teams using mixed reality devices can see holographic overlays of the model and make real-time adjustments during design reviews, significantly improving communication and decision-making.

Spatial Design Tools

Combining 3D scanning with augmented reality, designers can capture existing conditions and instantly begin modeling within that context, streamlining renovation projects and site-specific designs.

Enhanced Fabrication and Manufacturing Integration

Advanced Manufacturing Preparation

Our next-generation fabrication tools now support direct integration with over 50 major manufacturing processes, including multi-axis CNC, additive manufacturing, robotic fabrication, and traditional tooling. The system optimizes toolpaths and manufacturing strategies for maximum efficiency and quality.

Smart Material Simulation

Rhino 2026 introduces material-aware modeling that connects your geometry to physical material properties. The system can predict how materials will behave during manufacturing and assembly, helping identify potential issues before production.

Automated Documentation

The new documentation engine uses AI to understand your project requirements and automatically generates manufacturing drawings, assembly instructions, and machine code that match your specific needs. The system learns from user feedback to continuously improve output quality.

Integration and Performance Breakthroughs

Cloud-Based Collaborative Modeling

Multiple team members can now work simultaneously on the same model with real-time synchronization. The system intelligently manages model ownership and conflict resolution, enabling true parallel workflows between designers, engineers, and visualization specialists.

Advanced Design Optimization

Rhino 2026 introduces generative design capabilities that explore thousands of design alternatives based on your constraints and objectives. Set performance targets for weight, strength, cost, or sustainability, and let the system propose optimized solutions.

Performance Optimization

Our new graphics engine delivers 8x faster performance when working with complex architectural models or large product assemblies, handling models with millions of polygons while maintaining smooth operation.

Early Adopters Share Their Experience

Firms participating in our beta program have already seen impressive results with Rhino 2026.

Foster + Partners, a leading global architecture firm, reports significant productivity gains. “The AI-powered Design Assistant has reduced the time required for complex surface modeling by approximately 50%,” says Sarah Johnson, Computational Design Lead at Foster + Partners. “This allows our designers to focus more on design exploration rather than technical modeling challenges.”

Nike Design highlights the visualization improvements. “The extended reality capabilities have transformed how we evaluate and refine product designs,” notes Michael Chen, Digital Product Creation Director at Nike. “We’ve seen development cycles reduced by 25% and significantly improved first-prototype success rates.”

Availability and Licensing

Rhino 2026 will be available starting June 15, 2025:

• Available in Standard and Professional configurations
• Flexible single-user and network license options
• Included in Rhino subscription plans
• Special upgrade pricing for existing license holders

Current Rhino upgrade plan subscribers will receive an automatic upgrade to 2026 as part of their benefits.

Getting Started with Rhino 2026

To help users quickly master the new features, we’re providing comprehensive resources:

• Online courses through Rhino Learning
• Industry-specific training webinars for architecture, product design, and marine applications
• Regional user groups and community forums
• Migration assistance and workflow optimization services

Looking Forward

“Rhino 2026 represents our vision for the future of 3D modeling that seamlessly blends human creativity with artificial intelligence while extending the workspace beyond the computer screen,” says McNeel. “We’re empowering design teams to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and innovation while reducing the barriers between imagination and realization.”

This release marks the beginning of an exciting new era for Rhino, with our development team already working on additional AI capabilities, expanded cloud services, and deeper integration with the broader design and manufacturing ecosystem.

Rhino 2026 Training Course

Join us to explore Rhino 2026 Training Courses, the most advanced version of McNeel’s industry-leading 3D modeling software. These comprehensive courses are designed to help architects, designers, engineers, and artists master cutting-edge features like AI-powered modeling, natural language commands, automated geometry analysis, and extended reality workflows. Whether you’re creating architecture, product designs, or artistic sculptures, you’ll learn how to optimize your projects using intelligent tools that boost creativity, reduce technical obstacles, and improve collaboration across design teams. With real-world examples and hands-on training, these courses ensure you’re fully equipped to harness the power of Rhino 2026 in your daily workflows.