The Required CAD Platform for Orca3D
Rhino (Rhinoceros 3D) is the professional CAD platform required to run Orca3D. Orca3D operates as a plug-in inside Rhino, using Rhino’s powerful surface modeling and geometry tools as the foundation for marine design and analysis.
Rhino must be installed before installing Orca3D.
Why Rhino + Orca3D?
Rhino provides the modeling environment. Orca3D adds marine-specific intelligence.
Together, they form a complete workflow for naval architecture and marine design.
Rhino handles:
- High-quality NURBS surface modeling
- Hull form creation and fairing
- Precision geometry editing
- Industry-standard CAD interoperability
Orca3D adds:
- Hydrostatics and stability analysis
- Speed and power prediction
- Weight and cost tracking
- Marine-specific workflows built directly into Rhino
If you’re new to Orca3D, Rhino is not an optional add-on — it’s the platform Orca3D runs on.
Rhino License Options
Please select the Rhino license option that matches your needs.
Commercial Licenses
For professionals, firms, and consultants using Rhino and Orca3D for commercial work.
- Rhino 8 (Full License)
- Rhino Upgrade to Version 8 (for existing Rhino users)
Educational Licenses
Discounted licenses for students and faculty in eligible academic programs.
- Proof of eligibility is required
- Educational licenses are functionally equivalent to commercial licenses
- Intended for coursework, teaching, and non-commercial academic research
Educational Pricing Eligibility
To qualify for educational pricing, you must provide proof of eligibility, such as:
- A valid student ID
- A current course schedule
- A letter from a professor on official school letterhead
- For faculty: proof of employment (e.g., a faculty listing on a university website)
Eligibility verification helps ensure educational pricing remains available to the academic community.
Regional Purchasing Guidelines
- Customers in North America may purchase Rhino licenses directly from Orca3D.
- Customers outside of North America may only purchase a Rhino license together with an Orca3D license, per regional reseller agreements.
If you’re unsure which option applies to you, contact us before purchasing.
Installation Overview
- Purchase Rhino from this page
- Download and install Rhino
- Install Orca3D as a Rhino plug-in
- Activate your licenses and begin working
Rhino must be installed first. Orca3D will not run without it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Rhino to use Orca3D?
Yes. Orca3D runs entirely inside Rhino. Rhino must be installed and licensed before Orca3D can be used.
Can I use an existing Rhino license with Orca3D?
Yes. If you already own a compatible version of Rhino, you do not need to purchase Rhino again.
Are educational Rhino licenses fully functional?
Yes. Educational licenses are full working versions of Rhino. The primary difference is pricing and eligibility requirements.
Can faculty use educational licenses for research?
Educational licenses may be used for teaching and non-commercial academic research. A commercial license is required for paid or commercial research work.
Can I upgrade from an older version of Rhino?
Yes. Upgrade options are available for eligible existing Rhino licenses.
I’m outside North America — what should I do?
If you’re outside North America, Rhino licenses must be purchased together with an Orca3D license. Contact us if you’re unsure how to proceed.
Will Rhino updates affect Orca3D?
Orca3D supports specific Rhino versions. We recommend checking Orca3D compatibility before upgrading Rhino to a new major release.
Need Help Choosing?
If you’re not sure which Rhino license you need—or how it fits into your Orca3D workflow—contact us and we’ll help you get set up correctly the first time.