What is Symvol™ for Rhino?

Symvol™ for Rhino is a simplified version of Uformia's new generation, volume based, 3D modeling framework for the Rhinoceros modeling system. It provides lightweight 3D design and modeling tools that offer the ability to model complex volumes including organic, mechanical and everything in-between and is targeted for 3D printing.

Symvol™ takes a few minutes to download and install. It runs as a Rhinoceros plug-in on multiple operating systems, including Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. It requires Rhinoceros version 4.0 SR8 or higher.

Symvol™ is oriented towards a broad class of users, including DIY “makers”, 3D printing enthusiasts and specialists, professional designers, students and educators.

How is Symvol™ different from other 3D modeling systems?

Symvol™ is a volumetric modeling system. The user can think of clay or metal when working with Symvol™. It means a volume object is a piece of malleable material, not a collection of paper sheets glued together. Whatever you do to it, you still have a valid solid object, unlike in traditional solid modeling, where objects can have cracks and other surface issues.

Other features unique to Symvol™ are:

• Infinite level of detail

• Tiling of geometry at any scale

• Organic blending of soft and sharp objects

• True morphing of any object to any other

• Dynamic warping

• Direct modification of any element of a model at anytime in the modeling process

• Easy to use parametrized interface with construction graph and customizable bookmarks

• Multi-scale dynamic rendering

• Guaranteed model integrity and watertight generation of meshes for 3D printing

• Incredibly small, easy to transmit file sizes

What can Symvol™ be used for?

Symvol™ is particularly useful for:

• 3D printing and digital fabrication

• Teaching the basics of modeling

• Rapid customization of designs and models

• Modeling of organic and fluid objects

• Jewelery design and fabrication

What file formats can Symvol™ export to?

Symvol™ can export models to its original VOL and Rhinoceros 3DM formats, slices can be exported to SLC and CLI, and generated mesh can be exported to all file formats supported by Rhinoceros.

How much does Symvol™ cost?

Symvol™ Maker, the fully functioning entry level version for non-commercial use, is free to download here. Prices for other versions can be found on our Products page.

How is Symvol™ installed?

An installer has to be downloaded and run on your computer. There is no additional information needed.

What are the system requirements to run Symvol™?

Minimal requirements

Rhinoceros version 4.0 SR8

Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows 7 OS

Dual-core processor, 3.0 GHz

3 GB RAM

25 MB free disk space for installation

1,024 x 768 display or higher

High color (16 bit) graphics card

Recommended requirements

Rhinoceros version 4.0 SR8

Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows 7 OS

2 quad-core processors, 3.0 GHz

6 GB RAM

25 MB free disk space for installation

1,024 x 768 display or higher

High color (16 bit) graphics card

What help and training materials are available for Symvol™?

There are both plug-in help and interactive command help available when Symvol™ is installed and running in Rhinoceros. In addition, the getting started and reference manual are available after installation.

I am familiar with Rhinoceros, will Symvol™ be easy to learn?

Yes, interacting with Symvol™ is similar to what you typically do in Rhinoceros. Some primitives and operations have no analogues in Rhinoceros and need some initial effort to understand. Most people find Symvol™ very interactive and fun to explore.