# Rhino 8 - Set Default UI Window Layout?

**URL:** <https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130>\
**Category:** Rhino for Windows\
**Tags:** windows\
**Created:** [November 27, 2023, 7:50pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130 "2023-11-27T19:50:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ShynnSup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/shynnsup/32/767220_2.png) [@ShynnSup](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/ShynnSup)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 7:50pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/1 "2023-11-27T19:50:42Z")

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I have saved my custom UI Layout and I can restore it perfectly fine. Thing is I have to do this everytime I open Rhino because it does not remember I want my custom layout as the default layout…

Can’t we have a checkbox, button, w/e to make sure we can explicitly choose to define our default layout?

I work with multiple Rhino windows during my day, and honestly having to close all, to just move some tabs around to make sure it sticks is so cumbersome. Not to mention it works half of the time anyways and the damn Help panel is sporadically back no matter how many times I close it.

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**Author:** ![pascal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/pascal/32/479395_2.png) [@pascal](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/pascal)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 8:01pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/2 "2023-11-27T20:01:29Z")

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Hello- as far as I know this should work… open one Rhino, restore your preferred layout and close Rhino. Now open more sessions - these should all respect that layout…?

-Pascal

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**Author:** ![ShynnSup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/shynnsup/32/767220_2.png) [@ShynnSup](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/ShynnSup)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 8:05pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/3 "2023-11-27T20:05:06Z")

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I will try later, but like I said, this completely interrupts my workflow, having to close all Rhino sessions.

We need a better way to set this. Live.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pascal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/pascal/32/479395_2.png) [@pascal](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/pascal)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 8:08pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/4 "2023-11-27T20:08:27Z")

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You can try, semi-live for now:  
Make your changes. Save the layout. Export the layout, in the other sessions, impoirt the layout. With a bit of clever macro-ing, I suspect this could be reasonable to use once set up. I’ll give it a try.

-Pascal

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ShynnSup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/shynnsup/32/767220_2.png) [@ShynnSup](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/ShynnSup)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 8:14pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/5 "2023-11-27T20:14:01Z")

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Updating already opened sessions seems like quite complicated. I don’t think that is really required.

As long as I can change my default layout with x20 sessions open, and having session nr 21 open with my custom recently changed layout is fine.

Also I am talking about this kind of explicit UI.

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/a/0/9/a0964a1bf6ae132671eb476d52647b603de1ca53.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ShynnSup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/shynnsup/32/767220_2.png) [@ShynnSup](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/ShynnSup)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 8:16pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/6 "2023-11-27T20:16:11Z")

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> [@pascal](#):
>
> Now open more sessions - these should all respect that layout…?

In theory, yes, but somehow, as time goes by, Rhino starts messing up the layout. For instance. The Help panel keeps coming back. I am 100% certain I have deleted it and never turned it back on. Yet there it is.

![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/4/7/0/470c6c8defc42b84f694c19046458d81a367a39c.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pascal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/pascal/32/479395_2.png) [@pascal](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/pascal)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 8:45pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/7 "2023-11-27T20:45:04Z")

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Let me write this again after getting a reminder of how it works . Window layouts are not live - they are snapshots that you want to keep. So in session 21 you can restore that custom layout changed in session 20 and get the changes.

It looks like it may be possible to have that update, however, I am chatting with the developer.  
[RH-78625](https://mcneel.myjetbrains.com/youtrack/issue/RH-78625) WindowLayouts: Save Containers.xml on update  
Thanks for pointing this out.

-Pascal

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ShynnSup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/shynnsup/32/767220_2.png) [@ShynnSup](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/ShynnSup)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 5:34pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/8 "2023-12-01T17:34:55Z")

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> [@pascal](#):
>
> Hello- as far as I know this should work… open one Rhino, restore your preferred layout and close Rhino. Now open more sessions - these should all respect that layout…?

This does not seem to work:

Current single Rhino instance open.

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/6/9/1/691265fc3d56caf5a5e7f0069411a91abd077832.jpeg)

Close and re-open.

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/6/d/d/6ddafdf14f65c6bb92d0c523f495357700f9856e.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pascal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/pascal/32/479395_2.png) [@pascal](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/pascal)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 5:39pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/9 "2023-12-01T17:39:18Z")

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Hello- I see, thanks, I’ll try to reproduce.

-Pascal

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gijs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/gijs/32/769882_2.png) [@Gijs](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Gijs)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/10 "2023-12-08T15:11:06Z")

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hi @ShynnSup thanks for reporting, I could reproduce,  
[RH-78940](https://mcneel.myjetbrains.com/youtrack/issue/RH-78940) Rhino does not restore the modified layout

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DuncanW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/duncanw/32/671848_2.png) [@DuncanW](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/DuncanW)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 10:59am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/11 "2025-06-03T10:59:52Z")

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Hi Gijs,

I see this issue is still open, correct?

I am experiencing the same problem, albeit with a different layout. But it’s leading to manually having to restore a saved window layout upon every single Rhino launch, which is a lot when you work with multiple sessions every day.

Would there be a temporary workaround to add a “run on launch” command that restores the window layout automatically?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/wim/32/747482_2.png) [@wim](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/wim)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 11:08am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/12 "2025-06-03T11:08:18Z")

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Hi Duncan -

> [@DuncanW](#):
>
> I see this issue is still open, correct?

That’s correct, yes.

> [@DuncanW](#):
>
> I am experiencing the same problem, albeit with a different layout.

I’d create new containers with a custom name and populate those with the panels that you need. That seems to be somewhat more stable than modifying default containers. Not that you won’t run into issues, though…

> [@DuncanW](#):
>
> Would there be a temporary workaround to add a “run on launch” command that restores the window layout automatically?

You can add the `WindowLayout` command to the start-up commands with the name of the layout to restore. You will get a pop-up if the current layout is deemed to be modified, though.  
-wim

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DuncanW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/duncanw/32/671848_2.png) [@DuncanW](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/DuncanW)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/15 "2025-06-03T16:07:22Z")

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Thank you.

> You can add the `WindowLayout` command to the start-up commands with the name of the layout to restore. You will get a pop-up if the current layout is deemed to be modified, though.

There is no feeding a desired layout automatically is there, like: `_WindowLayout "C:\path-to-layout>\layout.rhw"` ?

I tried but it still brings up the popup…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/wim/32/747482_2.png) [@wim](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/wim)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/16 "2025-06-03T17:47:02Z")

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Hi Duncan -

> [@DuncanW](#):
>
> There is no feeding a desired layout automatically is there, like: `_WindowLayout "C:\path-to-layout>\layout.rhw"` ?
> 
> I tried but it still brings up the popup…

I’m somewhat confused now. Is Rhino forgetting a saved custom window layout?  
-wim

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DuncanW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/duncanw/32/671848_2.png) [@DuncanW](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/DuncanW)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 1:35pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/17 "2025-06-04T13:35:07Z")

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It’s not restoring the previously active window layout. It tries, but messes some parts up. So I have to reinstate it on every launch.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DuncanW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/duncanw/32/671848_2.png) [@DuncanW](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/DuncanW)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 2:02pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/18 "2025-06-04T14:02:43Z")

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Figured it might be a bit too confusing without screenshots.

On launch:  
 ![on-fresh-rhino](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/optimized/4X/4/5/9/459a80c3ff6ddb7221fb9e75f6660ac44baf3826_2_690x27.png)

What it should be (and is after restoring the layout)  
 ![after-restoring-window-layout](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/optimized/4X/5/8/6/5866307626efa0c37fc37d23ccbff0e19ffc9605_2_690x26.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/wim/32/747482_2.png) [@wim](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/wim)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/19 "2025-06-04T14:52:40Z")

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Hi Duncan -

> [@DuncanW](#):
>
> but messes some parts up.

Yes, the Osnaps and Filter panels are always getting messed up. I have an alias that I tend to run several times a day to restore my custom window layout because of that.

> [@wim](#):
>
> You can add the `WindowLayout` command to the start-up commands with the name of the layout to restore. You will get a pop-up if the current layout is deemed to be modified, though.

I’m not sure if you are trying to say that this part doesn’t work as described for you…  
-wim

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DuncanW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/duncanw/32/671848_2.png) [@DuncanW](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/DuncanW)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 2:21pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/20 "2025-06-11T14:21:03Z")

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Could you share the alias to reinstate window layouts?

The second part does work, but then it needs an extra mouse confirmation per Rhino start. If this can be done via alias I would much prefer it.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/wim/32/747482_2.png) [@wim](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/wim)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/21 "2025-06-11T14:46:43Z")

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Hi Duncan -

> [@DuncanW](#):
>
> The second part does work, but then it needs an extra mouse confirmation per Rhino start. If this can be done via alias I would much prefer it.

I’m still confused…

If “then needs an extra mouse confirmation” means that you are getting a pop-up asking to save the current layout, then I’ve answered that 8 days ago. Yes, you need to manually get out of that dialog.

If you mean something else, please add more words…  
-wim

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DuncanW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/duncanw/32/671848_2.png) [@DuncanW](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/DuncanW)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 3:37pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130/22 "2025-06-11T15:37:53Z")

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The “second part” was your suggesting to add `WindowLayout` to the start-up commands. Doing this will (of course) prompt this dialogue on every Rhino launch:

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/8/2/d/82d4df87de49d04a4ed69d401d3f93f000847e43.png)  
This is the extra mouse confirmation I meant as I need to select my desired layout each time.

You alluded to this being possible via an alias, making me hope I can avoid the extra click. So if you could just share the alias syntax please.

[Next page](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-8-set-default-ui-window-layout/170130.md?page=2)