Driving Dimensions Labs is the space for new technology: here you can see
some of our prototypes in action. Although not all of them are in beta stage yet, you can see how dimension-driven design can be used in different context helping CAD users implement their
ideas in rather simple and intuitive way. We appreciate your feedback on these
prototypes at labs@drivingdimensions.com.
Rhinoceros, a popular NURBS modeling application, allows to create fantastic
shapes, but these shapes cannot be edited parametrically. To remedy this, we are working on RhinoDirect, a new plug-in that allows users to parametrically edits history-free 3D geometry in Rhinoceros. The following video demonstrates how the simplest Rhino shapes can be edited with RhinoDirect.
If you already have some experience with RhinoAssembly, you can consider RhinoDirect as an extension of this plug-in that can be used to assemble complex mechanisms composed of rigid and non-rigid parts. Three-dimensional shapes of non-rigid parts are adjusted automatically to satisfy the geometric constraints and driving dimensions set by the user. Moreover, RhinoDirect allows users to apply constraints and dimensions directly between the faces and edges of one part.
This point of view is demonstrated in our next tutorial video:
RhinoDirect is a simple but powerful tool for parametric modifcation of 3D solid geometry in a direct modeling environment. This point of view is demonstrated in the next tutorial video:
The first beta version of RhinoDirect has very few limitations. Solids can be modified if their boundaries consist of planar faces with sharp or filleted edges, round holes, and protruding cylinders. These limitations will be overcome by later beta releases.
The version 0.2 of RhinoDirect requires Rhinoceros 4.0 SR5B and higher, and runs on 32-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
