Efficient Techniques for Achieving Planarity in Objects- A Rhino Tutorial Guide

How to Make Object Planar in Rhino

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user of Rhino, the ability to make an object planar is a fundamental skill that can greatly enhance your modeling capabilities. Planarity refers to the property of a surface being flat, with no curvature. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making an object planar in Rhino, helping you achieve more accurate and efficient designs.

1. Select the Object

The first step in making an object planar is to select the object you want to work with. This can be a curve, a surface, or even a solid. Once you have selected the object, you are ready to proceed to the next step.

2. Use the Plane Tool

One of the most straightforward methods to make an object planar is by using the Plane tool in Rhino. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Tools menu and select Plane.
2. Click on the object you want to make planar.
3. Drag the plane to the desired position and click to place it.

After placing the plane, you can use the Project tool to project the object onto the plane. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Tools menu and select Project.
2. Select the object you want to project.
3. Select the plane you created in the previous step.
4. Click to project the object onto the plane.

3. Use the Extrude and Flatten Commands

Another method to make an object planar is by using the Extrude and Flatten commands. This method is particularly useful when working with surfaces or curves that have a non-planar shape. Here’s how to do it:

1. Extrude the object to create a solid or surface.
2. Select the Extrude tool and click on the object.
3. Enter the desired extrusion distance and press Enter.
4. Once the object is extruded, go to the Surface menu and select Flatten.
5. Select the extruded object and click to flatten it.

4. Use the Mesh Tools

For more complex objects, you may need to use the Mesh tools in Rhino to make them planar. This involves converting the object into a mesh and then using the Flatten command to make the mesh planar. Here’s how to do it:

1. Convert the object into a mesh by going to the Mesh menu and selecting Convert to Mesh.
2. Select the mesh and go to the Mesh menu again.
3. Select Flatten and click to make the mesh planar.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can make an object planar in Rhino, whether it’s a simple curve or a complex surface. Planarity is a crucial aspect of modeling, and mastering this skill will allow you to create more accurate and efficient designs. Happy modeling!