How can I install RhinoArtisan?

In this documentation we have a section that shows you how to download, install and activate your licence.

How to download, install and activate your license

How do I activate my RhinoArtisan license?

It’s very simple. When you buy RhinoArtisan — even for the evaluation — you receive a product key, and activating it only takes a moment from inside Rhino or RhinoArtisan.

You’ll find the complete step-by-step in Step 3 of our installation guide.

How to download, install and activate your license

How can I update Rhino?

Having Rhinoceros installed with the most recent version is crucial for stability and security reasons. Here is how to check if you have the latest version and how to update it.

In the Help menu, click on Check for Updates…

The following window will show you if you have the latest version. Please check the Enable Updates and Usage Statistics option is enabled.

You can also buy it manually by clicking on Check Now…

How can I update RhinoArtisan?

RhinoArtisan will display a message in your command prompt whenever there’s an update available to download. If you see this message and close RhinoArtisan, the update process will begin.

RhinoArtisan User Interface

You can also update RhinoArtisan manually by clicking on the Update button on the File tab.

Rhino User Interface

The upgrade option is also available in Rhino.

Do I need previous CAD experience to use RhinoArtisan?

No. RhinoArtisan is built to make jewelry design easier and more accessible. You can pick up the essential tools quickly thanks to its intuitive interface, while more advanced workflows can be mastered with training, videos and technical support.

Courses, tutorials and video lessons

How long does it take to learn RhinoArtisan?

You can learn the essential tools quickly — even in a single day for the basics. More advanced jewelry techniques take longer, but RhinoArtisan offers training resources and technical support to help you progress.

Courses, tutorials and video lessons

What does RhinoArtisan offer to schools and educational institutions?

RhinoArtisan offers an accessible way to introduce students to 3D jewelry design. Its jewelry-specific tools let students learn professional design, modeling and production-preparation workflows without starting from a completely generic CAD environment.

RhinoArtisan for Schools

What are the minimum system requirements?

RhinoArtisan runs comfortably on most modern computers, but there’s a baseline you’ll want to meet for a smooth experience. You’ll find the full list — processor, RAM, graphics card, operating system and supported Rhino versions — in our system requirements page.

System Requirements

Does RhinoArtisan work on Mac?

At the moment, RhinoArtisan is optimized exclusively for Rhino on Windows. Rhino for Windows provides certain features and capabilities required for the plugin to deliver the best possible performance and functionality.

Unfortunately, Rhino for Mac does not yet include all the necessary features, which currently prevents us from offering a compatible macOS version.

For now, our focus is on continuing to improve and expand RhinoArtisan on Windows. However, we are closely following the development of Rhino for Mac, and we do not rule out the possibility of a Mac version in the future as the platform evolves.

Rhino 8 and .NET Core 7: What Does It Mean?

With the release of Rhino 8, the developers have updated the .NET libraries to Core 7, bringing a significant improvement in performance compared to Rhino 7.0. This upgrade not only enhances user experience but also unlocks new possibilities to make the most of the software’s capabilities.

At RhinoArtisan, we’ve ensured that version 6.0 is fully aligned with Rhino’s recommendations, allowing you to enjoy seamless integration and optimal performance with both.

For compatibility reasons, Rhino 8 offers the option to run at reduced performance using the older .NET Framework 4.8 libraries, ensuring that plugins that haven’t been updated can still function. However, this creates an important limitation: Rhino 8 does not support the simultaneous use of both libraries. This means that if you are using a plugin based on the older libraries, Rhino will be unable to load other plugins that rely on the newer ones.

We strongly recommend reaching out to the developers of any plugins that have not yet been updated to request compatibility with the new libraries. It would be a shame to have Rhino 8 and not fully benefit from its capabilities.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.

How can I know which version of Rhino I’m using?

You can see your Rhino version inside Rhino. Click on the Help menu and About Rhino:

In the right-bottom area of the window, you will see the version. In our case is Rhino 7.0 SR19.

What version of RhinoArtisan I’m using?

Sometimes, our technical support team needs to know exactly which version you have installed on your computer. The main reason is that, in many cases, when a user reports a question or problem, it has already been fixed in later versions.

Command Prompt

When Rhino or RhinoArtisan opens, it displays the exact version at the command prompt.

Rhino User Interface

In the RhinoArtisan toolbar, you can find the About icon on the right hand side.

You can also check your current version by executing the command ArtisanAbout, which will open a window similar to this one:

RhinoArtisan User Interface

In the RhinoArtisan user interface, you will find the same icon, in this case in the top right corner:

What are the minimum recommended graphics card requirements?

We recommend a dedicated graphics card with at least 4 GB of VRAM for smoother performance — especially with complex models, advanced visualization or scenes with many gemstones.

For the full hardware and software requirements, see the system requirements page.

System Requirements

Rhino doesn’t load RhinoArtisan. What can I do?

There are three reasons why Rhino does not load RhinoArtisan:

1. Rhino is not updated:

Let’s check what Rhino version we are using. To do this, we will open Rhino, in the menu Help > Check for Updates…

2. Diagnotics & Repair

Some updates or plugins may leave residual entries in Rhino’s registry, which can lead to conflicts and unexpected behavior. Over time, these leftover settings might interfere with new versions of the software or cause instability when loading third-party extensions.

How to execture Diagnostics & Repair:

Here are the steps:

1. Double-click the RhinoArtisan icon on your desktop.

2. In the RhinoArtisan start menu, click Diagnostics & Repair, located on the lower left side.

3. When asked “Do you want to clean Windows registry of Rhino and Artisan?”, answer Yes.
4. When asked “Do you want to delete the Artisan user folder?”, answer Yes.
5. When asked “Do you want to check your connection to the Artisan license server?”, answer Yes. (This step is to check if a firewall is blocking the license verification).

Once this process is complete, restart Rhino. It will launch as if it were a fresh installation, clearing any registry issues that might have prevented the RhinoArtisan plugin from loading properly.

3. Send Us Your System Information

If the problem persists after following the steps above, please try typing SetDotNetRuntime in Rhino’s command line and select NetCore.

If the issue continues, run the same command again and change the NetCoreVersion from v7 to v8, then restart Rhino.

If the problem still persists after following the steps above, we recommend sending us your Rhino system information so we can analyze your configuration and identify the possible cause of the issue.

To extract this information, follow these steps:

1. Open Rhino and type SystemInfo in the command line.
2. Press Enter, and Rhino will generate a detailed report about your system configuration, including information about your graphics card, OpenGL settings, and other system parameters.
3. Copy or save this information and send it to us via email at support@rhinoartisan.com.

Our team will review your system details and help you find a solution to the issue.

4. Rhino Installation Problem

In some cases, there may be problems installing Rhino, so at this point, we recommend uninstalling and reinstalling it. We will have a clean installation, which will make Rhino run much faster and be able to load plugins.

To uninstall Rhino, please check Rhinoceros documentation. https://wiki.mcneel.com/rhino/uninstalling

How can I remove the RhinoArtisan license from Rhino Options > Licenses?

Yes. You can manually remove the RhinoArtisan license files from your computer.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Windows File Explorer.
2. Browse to the following folder:

%appdata%\McNeel\Rhinoceros\6.0\License Manager\Licenses

3. You will probably find several license files in this folder.
   Delete all the files inside.
4. Then browse to:

%programdata%\McNeel\Rhinoceros\6.0\License Manager\Licenses

5. You will probably find one license file in this folder.
   Delete all the files inside.

After removing these files, restart Rhino. The RhinoArtisan license should no longer appear under Options > Licenses.

How to display the toolbar?

To display the RhinoArtisan toolbar, go to the Window menu and, within the menu, select Toolbars…

In the “Toolbars and toolbar groups” section, select Artisan. This will display all the toolbars, then select the one called Artisan.

Done! This toolbar works like any other Rhino toolbar; locate it wherever you prefer.

What should I do if RhinoArtisan does not load after installation?

First, make sure you’re using a compatible version of Rhino — preferably Rhino 8. If the problem persists, run the SystemInfo command in Rhino and send the output to our support team so we can review your system configuration.

Contact support

Why does everything on my screen look white?

An advanced display mode such as Raytraced may have been accidentally activated. Switch the view back to a standard mode like Shaded to return to a lighter and more stable display.

My objects appear in silver or gold instead of layer colors. How can I change this?

This is usually caused by the display mode or the Outliner panel settings. Review the active display mode and switch the display settings if you want to see layer colors rather than a rendered metal appearance.

I can’t log in to RhinoArtisan.com or reset my password. What can I do?

After a recent website migration, some previous passwords were not transferred for security reasons. Use the password reset option to set a new one.

If the reset link doesn’t work, try opening it in an incognito window or another browser to rule out cache or cookie issues.

What should I do if my license is stuck on a previous computer?

If you can’t deactivate the license because the computer is no longer available — it’s been formatted, replaced or simply isn’t accessible — contact the support team. They’ll review the case and manually release the license if applicable.

Contact support

Is the AI Assistant available in RhinoArtisan 6.8?

The AI Assistant was a beta feature and is not available in RhinoArtisan 6.8. We’re working on a new generation of AI tools for RhinoArtisan 7.0, based on more advanced online models.

How to restore the user interface layout?

RhinoArtisan’s user interface is fully configurable, allowing you to adapt it to your taste. If, for some reason, you want to return to the original installation state, you must follow the steps below:

1. Type in the command line: WindowLayout, and press enter.

The Window Layout window will appear. Then, double-click in Artisan, restoring us to its original layout.

How to import textures on RhinoArtisan

To use custom textures on the Texture 3D command on RhinoArtisan, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Open the User folder

In Rhino, you will find the icon User Folder on the RhinoArtisan toolbar

2. Find and open the Texture3D folder:

3. Drag and drop your texture on this folder

Congratulations, the next time you run the Texture 3D command, you will be able to use your new texture!

How can I learn to use RhinoArtisan?

RhinoArtisan offers a comprehensive, learning platform that equips you with the essential skills needed to master RhinoArtisan . From command utilization to crafting one-of-a-kind models from scratch, our learning platform empowers you to unlock your full creative potential.

https://www.rhinoartisan.com/learn

How to disable the tripod?

To disable the tripod, go to Options > Artisan, and under Tripod, select None.

How to modify a translation in RhinoArtisan?

To change any text in RhinoArtisan, we can do it from a single file. In the installation folder, we will find a folder called Languages, which is usually located at C:\Program Files\RhinoArtisan 6\languages. Inside this folder, you will find a list of files named after each language; for example, in Italian it is “it,” in French it is “fr,” etc.

These files are in .json format and can be opened with any text editor. However, I would like to recommend that you try Visual Studio Code. This agile and completely free editor from Microsoft will allow you to view the content with colors that help you easily identify each word.

As you can see, there is blue text that serves as the identifier, and we should not change this. What we need to modify is the text that follows, which is in salmon color.

It is important to note that Windows does not allow you to modify files within the Program Files folder. Therefore, I recommend copying the file to your desktop or Documents so that you can edit it without any issues. Afterwards, you simply need to copy it back into the Languages folder.

If you have any questions, please contact us to support@rhinoartisan.com

How can I reduce the size of a large 3D file?

To shrink a heavy 3D file, use the Reduce Mesh command found in the Manufacturing tab. It simplifies dense mesh geometry while keeping the overall shape intact.

For SubD objects, the Remesh option works especially well — it rebuilds the topology with fewer faces, which usually cuts the file size by a significant margin.

Is RhinoArtisan’s real-time pricing reliable and adaptable?

Yes. The data follows official sources updated twice daily, and you can also replace it with your own suppliers’ data to match how you price internally.

Can I calculate prices inside RhinoArtisan?

Yes. RhinoArtisan includes real-time pricing tools that calculate costs based on jewelry components, materials, processes and either supplier price lists or live online sources.

Does RhinoArtisan help prevent costly production errors?

Yes. RhinoArtisan ensures viable manufacturing outputs through STL tools, offers 3D-printing compatibility, and provides jewelry reports and live pricing — so no detail is overlooked before production.

Can RhinoArtisan be used for manufacturing?

Yes. RhinoArtisan supports manufacturing workflows with production-ready files, STL repair tools, technical reports, jewel reports, material information and exportable data for manufacturing or ERP workflows.

RhinoArtisan for manufacturers

Can retailers use RhinoArtisan in-store with customers?

Yes. RhinoArtisan is built for in-store co-design: salespeople and customers can customize jewelry together in real time, visualize the changes and see updated pricing during the configuration process.

RhinoArtisan for retailers

Can I create realistic images or videos with RhinoArtisan?

Yes. RhinoArtisan includes tools to produce high-quality renders and visual content for presentations, marketing, online stores or in-store sales.

Can RhinoArtisan help me modify existing designs?

Yes. RhinoArtisan allows flexible customization of jewelry designs — changing shape, color, gemstone type, size and other product attributes, depending on the design and workflow.

Can RhinoArtisan be used without an internet connection?

RhinoArtisan can work offline in certain scenarios, but some features need an internet connection — especially online services, connected libraries, license validation and cloud-related functionality. For the full experience, we recommend working with an internet connection.

Does RhinoArtisan integrate with our existing production systems?

Yes. RhinoArtisan is designed to slot into existing production workflows. You can export to Excel or JSON to feed your ERP, MRP or any in-house system, so the data from your designs (gems, materials, weights, costs, parts) flows straight into the tools your team already uses.

How can I integrate RhinoArtisan into my printer’s 3D printing software?

With RhinoArtisan, you can print on any printer on the market thanks to its repair and STL exporter.

Next, we will see how to automate even more with the RhinoArtisan 3D printing command.

Let’s see what is the result of what we are going to do:

By default, we must select to indicate which application we want to use to print. In this case, we will use Chitubox, but the process is exactly the same for any printer.

We must discover where it is installed on our computer, so we will go to the application icon or a shortcut and right-click on Properties.

In the properties window, copy the Target content by right-clicking on the text.

Now we will go to the RhinoArtisan options. In RhinoArtisan mode, click on Settings in the File tab.

In the case of Rhino, click on Rhino Options.

Select Artisan from the options on the left, and paste the path of the file we copied earlier. Click OK, and everything is ready!

Can I use RhinoArtisan with KeyShot for rendering?

Yes — we have direct integration with KeyShot. In the Rendering tab you’ll find a KeyShot button that automatically sends your geometry to KeyShot, so you can move from modeling to a professional render in one click.

How do I know if RhinoArtisan works with my 3D printer?

This is a very standard area. RhinoArtisan lets you export to STL — and even repair the STL if it has errors — so the file works with virtually any 3D printer on the market.

On top of that, RhinoArtisan ships with direct connectors to the most popular jewelry slicer apps. One click and your design opens in the slicer ready to print:

• Asiga Composer
• Formlabs Preform
• 3D Systems Geomagic
• Anycubic Workshop
• B9 Captivate
• Elegoo Chitubox — also a great option if you use a printer from another brand

See all 3D printing connectors

What formats can I export my 3D model to from RhinoArtisan?

Great question — and the answer is reassuring. RhinoArtisan is a plugin for Rhino, so it doesn’t handle saving and exporting itself: Rhino does. That has a big upside: your work is 100% compatible with native Rhino and with any other Rhino plugin, including Matrix, RhinoGold and MatrixGold.

In practice that means you can save and export to every format Rhino supports — .3dm, .stl, .obj, .iges, .step, .fbx, .dwg, .dxf and many more — using Rhino’s standard Save As / Export commands.