The Complete Revit to Rhino 3DM Conversion Guide.

August 01, 2025

General Information

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert Revit to Rhino 3DM, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing Revit Files to Rhino 3DM

There are various ways to convert between Revit and Rhino 3DM. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize Revit files, at scale. It supports Rhino 3DM, as well as many other file formats (examples: FBX, glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL, USD, USDZ, VRM), at high quality.

Below you can find a video explaining how to convert your files:

What are Revit and Rhino 3DM files commonly used for?

The Revit file is a format mostly used for Building Information Modeling (BIM) software for architectural design, engineering, and construction documentation.
The Rhino 3DM file is a format mostly used for NURBS-based 3D modeling and design.

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Comparison of Features Supported by Revit and Rhino 3DM

FeatureSupported by RevitSupported by Rhino 3DM
Morph TargetsNoNo
Rigid AnimationsNoNo
Skinned AnimationsNoNo
AnimationsNoNo
Free-Form SurfacesPartial0Yes
Geometry CompressionNoNo
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsYesYes
Transparent MaterialsYesYes
Vertex ColorsNoYes
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionYesYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatPartial1Partial2
Embedded TexturesYesPartial3
Multiple UV ChannelsPartial4Yes
Normal MappingYesYes
Procedural TexturesPartial5Partial6
Texture CompressionNoNo
Texture TransformsYesYes
TexturingYesYes

0 - Limited NURBS support, primarily focused on building-specific forms and conceptual massing rather than complex organic surfaces.
1 - Uses proprietary RVT and RFA formats but provides import/export capabilities for industry standards like IFC, DWG, and other BIM/CAD formats for interoperability.
2 - Proprietary format with open specification (openNURBS)
3 - Textures can be embedded in the 3DM file
4 - Basic UV mapping capabilities through material properties, primarily for architectural visualization rather than complex texture workflows.
5 - Limited procedural texture support through material definitions and appearance properties for architectural visualization.
6 - Basic procedural material support

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Limitations of Revit Files to Rhino 3DM Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting Revit files to Rhino 3DM format:

Revit Feature (not supported by Rhino 3DM)Limitation Details
Embedded Textures

Embedded Textures Support:

Revit: Full support | Rhino 3DM: Partial support

Embedded Textures illustratedlack of support for Embedded Textures illustrated

Rhino 3DM Notes:

Textures can be embedded in the 3DM file

Impact:

Embedded textures allow the storage and exchange of an entire 3D model and its materials within a single file, by embedding the texture images directly into the 3D file (and not storing them as separate image files). Without support for this feature, textures have to be stored in separate image files, and referenced from the main 3D model file.

What's the best way to get Revit files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using Rhino 3DM?

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to Revit and Rhino 3DM files - the conversion guide above provides a rough first idea about that. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to even automate the process for thousands or even millions of files.

Especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated tools and expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with our human team.

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Meet the Author

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3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

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