Rhino Explode - The Fastest Way to Explode Assemblies in Rhino

food4Rhino
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Hi Rhinocommunity, I would like to share a plugin I developed…made out of neccessity:

Rhino Explode v1.0.0

Rhino Explode S
Rhino Explode S443×300 42.5 KB

Manually creating exploded views in Rhino3D is tedious and time-consuming. Rhino Explode automates the entire process, allowing you to showcase the internal mechanics, assembly logic, and relationship between multi-part objects in just a few clicks. Whether you are designing complex machinery, consumer products, or architecture, Rhino Explode turns dense CAD models into clear, professional visual narratives.

What RhinoExplode does

  • Automatic explode‑lines

  • Drag‑preview while adjusting distances

  • Smart tag rendering (camera‑facing, anti‑overlap, offset)

  • Multi‑object explode

  • Bolt / nut / washer / standoff detection

  • Snapshot‑ and Named Positions-proof transforms

  • Works with meshes, solid, polysurfaces, SubD, blocks (as single objects)

  • Fully undo‑safe

  • Zero setup — install and go

Downloads

Why?

This Plugin is a result of the work and experience from the Open Lab Starter Kit project at InMachines

It started with the idea that anyone should be able to assemble complex machines without technical knowledge. The simplest way was to create very clear assembly instructions, inspired by Ikea but improved where needed. Our first project was a manual for the Fabulaser Mini. The whole process is described here.

That manual was static and limited: just two states, parts in and parts out, frozen in a PDF. We realized the next version had to be interactive and 3D.

Then we had to create manuals for six machines, which meant manually moving around 20,000 fasteners in Rhino and drawing all translation curves. After finishing, it was obvious I needed a Rhino plugin to automate this work for future projects. Because it didn’t excist, I decided to make it myself.
you can have a look at the online manual for a small CNC here

This is the first public release — feedback, bug reports, and feature requests are very welcome. I’m actively improving the plugin and will update it frequently.

Thanks to everyone who tested early builds and helped refine the workflow.

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I don’t write down what I see.

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a vivid imagination is a joy forever Charles :wink:

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Hi Marc,

You might want to check out the sample manual - it seems to be unusable on Safari.

Also an observation: the plugin name could be a bit confusing, given native Rhino has a widely used Explode command already.

Regards

Jeremy

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Jeremy, Thanx for the hints. I will forward the Safari issue. As for the name Rhino Explode…I’m aware of the confusion but considered it the best name for my plugin and will take the confusion for granted :slight_smile:

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I took a look into it, it really seems like a good useful plugin for a fair price.
But your marketing is a little off.
The example pictures are not “shinny” nor very pleasing, the logo is hard to read once it gets small and your gumroad page looks like WIP with the 2 empty “no product” containers.

Next to the unlucky name that has to many finds in grasshopper/rhino

Maybe polish everything up with not to much effort and the appearance suits to the use value it certainly has.

Let me guess, you are an thoroughbred engineer :stuck_out_tongue:

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Hey mi.land

Thanx for your feedback , I really appreciate it.

I will look into those issues

And your guess is wrong…I’m not even an engineer hahaha…but what I’m not, you guessed right: I’m not a marketeer.

So keep that feedback coming, don’t hold back, happy with every criticism.