How to convert files from AutoCAD
to Rhino?

AutoCAD is a software application for CAD and drafting built on Autodesk’s proprietary kernel named Shapemanager. Developed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first to run on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers. As it is available on thirteen different languages, AutoCAD is widely used by architects, project managers engineers, graphic designers, city planners and other professionals all over the globe.

AutoCAD enables professionals to draft and edit 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces and meshes, annotate drawings with text, leaders, dimensions and tables, customize wit add-on apps and API.

There are different versions of AutoCAD. AutoCAD LT is the lower cost version, with limited capabilities. AutoCAD 360 is an account-based mobile and web application. Its users can view, edit and share files via mobile device and web. To add to it, students can use free student versions of AutoCAD, which are almost identical to the full commercial one.

Rhinoceros (typically abbreviated Rhino, or Rhino3D) is a commercial 3D computer graphics and computer-aided design (CAD) application software. Rhinoceros geometry is based on the NURBS mathematical model, which focuses on producing mathematically precise representation of curves and freeform surfaces in computer graphics (as opposed to polygon mesh-based applications).

Rhinoceros is used in processes of computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), rapid prototyping, 3D printing and reverse engineering in industries including architecture, industrial design (e.g. automotive design, watercraft design), product design (e.g. jewelry design) as well as for multimedia and graphic design.

The Rhinoceros file format (.3DM) is useful for the exchange of NURBS geometry. The Rhino developers started the openNURBS Initiative to provide computer graphics software developers the tools to accurately transfer 3-D geometry between applications. An open-source toolkit, openNURBS includes the 3DM file format specification, documentation, C++ source code libraries and .NET 2.0 assemblies to read and write the file format, on supported platforms (Windows, Windows x64, Mac, and Linux).