AI slop…
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AMEN brother same!
would very much like to see a native Linux version of Rhino (or at least support to run it with acceptable performance on a linux machine). It is one of the last things still holding me back from switching fully to Linux.
Given the rapid political changes, this also feels like the right business decision to me. Anti–big tech sentiment and concerns around US platform control can only accelerate the move to alternatives in many parts of the world. Continuing to rely on Microsoft products is becoming increasingly hard to justify, with recent ICC-related events being the final push.
I can imagine that porting Rhino and Grasshopper to Linux is a major undertaking but as a software developer I would want to offer that alternative—if only to make a clear statement to the community.
I am heavily invested in Grasshopper and Rhino, it is fantastic software, but the lack of a Linux version is already pushing me to look at alternatives.
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Rhino is literally the ONLY software I need windows for. I can use it on my wife’s mac but I much prefer to run Linux now that I’m avoiding Windows 11. I hope there are some explorations into porting it to Linux.
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I am a fan of running Rhino on Linux as well. IMHO, the best Windows so far was Windows 7 and from that point on every new version, although they bring some new features, diminished my user experience, let alone Windows consuming too much system power which reduces the mobile working time immensely.
I think after the this fix of cryinkfly, it shouldn’t be too hard to have it work on Linux.
I mean I have zero experience about how to make a software work on another OS, but the fix on the link seems easy. Maybe McNeel can come up with a work around to have it work on Linux instead of writing the whole thing from scratch.
McNeel Team, you are doing great! Keep up the good work! 
Same here! Apart from Rhino, I don’t see what Windows offers me that Linux doesn’t.
On the other hand, I do see what it lacks; for research and development alone, that’s mainly done on Linux.
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I’m ready to move away from windows. We got a new machine with Windows 11 for my wife. She is not ready but I am. Either I figure out how to run Rhino on Linux or I will learn FreeCad.
I have been a Rhino user since it was in the original beta. I’d be glad if it only ran on Debian.
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Besides the strong reasons for us to personally switch to Linux, the european movement towards digital sovereignty is gathering traction. Some examples:
European administrations are pushing towards non-Microsoft environments via OpenDesk
November 2025: Summit on European Digital Sovereignty (with talks from Merz and Macron)
November 2025 (again): “Declaration for European Digital Sovereignty” signed by the member states → strongly aims to move away from Microsoft again, as well as other large providers
December 2025: European Commission launches the “Digital Commons European Digital Infrastructure Consortium” aiming again towards digital sovereignty
These are major cracks in the Microsoft dominance in Europe so we can expect a strengthening of Open-Source Software and especially Linux. As things are getting discussed and worked on this much, we will see more and more administrations and then companies switch to Linux.
This is why I think the strategic importance for McNeel to not “miss the train” got a lot larger since my original post.
My question to you guys: How do you see this more political side? Are similar movements away from US-dependendy happening in other continents or countries as well?
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This topic and the recurring requests for a Linux version have been around for a long time. Taking a more pragmatic approach, the community would benefit from McNeel clearly clarifying their stance.
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Is there an official stance on developing a native Linux version of Rhino, and/or on supporting Rhino running on Linux via Wine? These feel like different scenarios, and clarity on both would help set expectations.
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Is there any openness to alternative approaches, such as gauging interest through pre-orders or a crowdfunding-style commitment if enough users were willing to support a Linux-capable version?
Even a brief but official response would help the community better understand what can realistically be expected.
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I have used Crossover for years. I can install Rhino 8, but it will not run. I do not know why. I use Linux Mint and Cinnamon desktop. I still have a laptop with Windows on it, but only for Rhino. I would rather get away from the Windows bloatware/spyware and use Linux, which is MUCH faster.
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Hello everyone,
I’m new to the forum community, so I apologize for jumping into the discussion without following the ongoing thread. I’ve been a fan of Linux distributions for years for many reasons, and I’ve always wanted to fully transition to the Linux ecosystem. However, the lack of available software during my studies prevented me from making the complete switch.
A year ago, I launched my architecture practice and decided to leave behind my entire software ecosystem to adopt almost exclusively open-source tools. I replaced the Adobe suite with GIMP 3, Scribus, Inkscape, and shotcut. I also switched my rendering software to Blender and Cycles. The only thing keeping me tied to Windows now is Rhino, which I use for 3D modeling, COA, Grasshopper, and BIM with the VisualARQ plugin.
I have an old PC where I’ve been testing Rhino on Linux Mint whenever I have some free time, but so far, I haven’t achieved satisfactory results. I made this choice because I could no longer tolerate the commercial and restrictive policies of various software and operating systems. I told myself that if I was going to make this change, it was best to do it before launching my business, as it would be much harder later.
In the end, I don’t regret any of the changes I’ve made. I find the possibilities offered by the open-source software I’ve chosen to be more than interesting. However, my only regret today is the McNeel ecosystem, which I find fantastic for work and which I wouldn’t want to leave behind. But relying on these tools is really holding me back from fully transitioning away from Windows.
I just wanted to share my experience in case it can contribute, even in a small way, to the effort of bringing Rhino to Linux.
I’ve also read a lot of discussions about using virtual machines, which I plan to test when I have more time.
(P.S.: Sorry for my less-than-perfect English!)
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If Rhino made a major release Linux native, I would have one more piece of my workflow running native on Linux and allowing me to switch. As it is, the Linux ecosystem is in need of good design software beyond Blender, and I am a Rhino user in my professional career as an architect. I can find proper or adequate replacements for almost all the software I use, but without Rhino and either Archicad, Vectorworks or Revit, a switch is close to dead in the water.
SO… came to this post for I am looking right now for ways to run Rhino under Linux to find out how mature a solution it is through emulation. But I would fully support a native solution the day it came.
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Exact same issue here… most of the tools I use on my PhD could be run both from Windows or Linux… but Rhino is keeping me tied to windows when I would love to make the switch tomorrow. I am currently trying to find ways to emulate, even if running it inside a windows box emulation 
Yeah a native linux version is needed, I’m dual booting to windows purely for rhino for my 3d design projects
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Yep, I am also interested and would pay a premium for keeping Rhino on the right side of history. Even if staying with Windows (10:) I’d pay more for just knowing the Linux option is there.
Sadly as a Rhino user since the initial beta, I am currently “porting” my business away from Rhino. I absolutely will not use Win 11. I’ve always thought Rhino quite cheap, and I’d be happy to pay double for a Linux version.
1 Like