Blender 3D has a feature called “scenes” and would be amazing for designers to have something like it in Rhino 8. It’s a great way to iterate different design options. Think of it as having multiple rhino files within one file. It would be a way you could test out different options or as a way to model different parts/pieces but with a blank viewport for each part. The ability to also share data between scenes such as objects, materials, ect, would be so useful.
From Blender Introduction — Blender Manual
“Scenes are a way to organize your work. Each blend-file can contain multiple scenes, which share other data such as objects and materials.”
Not exactly. This is helpful though, I didn’t know about it…Seems like Snapshots is just a visualization tool. What I’m describing would allow you to have have different objects in the viewport or an entirely new viewport if you want. The way I think of it is like nested rhino files but under a single file. Often times I’ll save a opt1, opt2, etc, for different design options but what if you could do it within the same file?
Hi @Faris_Ahmed
Have you tried worksessions? Though limited it allows one to open different rhino files in one drawing. It’s limited in that you can’t position or move anything from a non active worksession file but objects can be copied from a worksession file and pasted into the active file. It might work for different files you could work on a fresh file and attach opt1,opt 2 and quickly switch between them by activating them. Whole Layers of the attached files are easy to turn on and off.
It be great if McNeel updated worksessions to work more fluently and have the options of Blender scenes.
RM
This is my current workaround. But this method is easiest when you’re only changing one variable. With something more complex you’ll eventually get to a point where you’ll have to remember different combinations of layers being activated. I rather just branch off a new “file” entirely and have the freedom to create/manipulate without worrying how it would influence another design option that I have on another inactive layer. I put “file” in quotes because Scenes in blender allows you to do this within the same file and gives you 3 options for creating a new scene ( Full copy, linked copy, and blank scene).
I know there are many ways that people have to iterate different options but I find this the most ingenious way I’ve come across in any 3D modeling software.
Hello, any updates on this topic? Or does anyone use a different workflow for managing design options?
I’m currently using Layers and Sublayers to organize different design variations, but as the number of options increases, it becomes quite difficult to manage everything — just like @Faris_Ahmed mentioned.
I’ve also been using Layer States to save each design version, but every time I add new layers or duplicate objects (especially when using layer materials), things start to get messy and hard to track.
Does anyone know of a plugin or method within Rhino that allows for better management of this kind of workflow?
In my case, I work with architecture and would like to test different layouts and/or massing studies. The closest thing I’ve seen that works well in this context is Design Options in Archicad.
If there’s no built-in solution yet — and if the devs are open to suggestions — I’d like to propose the idea of a fixed Layer Manager, where sets of layers are grouped under a higher-level container. Each group would be independent from the others, allowing you to switch between different design options without messing up the layer structure.
I found this video of worksessions and how it works.. maybe its better than the Layer method..
As soon as I finish my current project I’ll try this out, but I think that duplicating geometry will continue to be boring…
Still want to know rhino users opinions and suggestions
