I am wondering if there is an official build schedule for upcoming releases on the Mac platform? For example, I would like to know when McNeel “hopes/ plans” to incorporate Plugin support for C++ plugins like T-Splines. Also for other features like adding additional viewports. Currently there are only the four options, Persp, Top, Right, Front. I’d like to be able to add Back, Left, & Bottom. Lastly I am interested in the UV unwrapping feature, which doesn’t seem to be in the Mav version.
No, there is no official schedule…we have what are called “Release Targets.” Release Targets are version numbers (like 5.3, for example), but not really attached to any schedule you could plan your schedule around, I’m afraid.
We release regular RhinoWIP builds at semi-frequent intervals (like every 2-5 weeks). These contain “Work In Progress” (WIP) code that is generally targeting a future “Release Target.”
Updates to the Rhino 5 for Mac are much less frequent. We have a hazy plan, but again - nothing resembling a schedule. We try to keep updates to the main Commercial product as infrequent as possible, and usually these contain features or critical updates (including features is something relatively specific to Rhino 5 for Mac however, as we work toward increased feature parity with Rhino 5 for Windows). The reason these are infrequent has as much to do with product stability as it does with developer resources.
We have tried to open up our issue tracking system, YouTrack, to be as transparent as possible. Nearly all YouTrack items are public, and you will see this forum peppered with links to those items. Using YouTrack, you can watch bugs get fixed or submit requests.
We currently do not have plans for a C/C++ SDK in Rhino for Mac. If this changes, we will announce that here.
It’s probably not exactly what you want, but have you tried the NewFloatingViewport command?
Unfortunately, most the UV editing features will need to wait for Rhino 6 for Mac, as they require the RDK (Renderer Development Kit).
It very much helps to hear what you would need. Please check out the YouTrack list for Rhino for Mac, upvote those that you feel need attention, make comments, etc. Or just chime in here like you just did. Hearing from you helps us prioritize our development efforts.
Good info thanks. These features very much affect my ability to practically
use Rhino in the applications I would use it for. Keep up the great work! I
love the progress.