The Complete VRML to Rhino 3DM Conversion Guide

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

• Learn more about the VRML format
• Learn more about the Rhino 3DM format

RapidPipeline can import VRML files, but currently doesn't support exporting to Rhino 3DM format yet.

If you specifically need Rhino 3DM export functionality for your workflow, please feel free to get in touch with us - we'd be happy to discuss your requirements and potential timeline for adding this export capability.

If you need, you can import Rhino 3DM files and convert them to any of these 8 formats: FBX, glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL, USD, USDZ, and VRM.

In the meantime, you can explore other options on the 3D Formats Knowledge Database, which might serve as suitable alternatives for your workflow depending on your target applications and use cases.

The VRML file is a format mostly used for web-based 3D content and virtual reality.
The Rhino 3DM file is a format mostly used for NURBS-based 3D modeling and design.

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

VRML Feature (not supported by Rhino 3DM)	Limitation Details
Animations	Animations Support: VRML: Full support | Rhino 3DM: No support Impact: Animations are an important part of many interactive 3D assets, for example in real-time rendering (including games, XR training, assembly instructions, product demos, and other use cases). There are various kinds of animations that can be used on 3D models. In this example model, a rigid animation is used to make the gears spin. Without support for this feature, in this example, the gears won't move.
Morph Targets	Morph Targets Support: VRML: Partial support | Rhino 3DM: No support VRML Notes: Basic shape interpolation through coordinate interpolation Impact: Morph Targets, or "Blend Shapes", are commonly used to animate facial expressions and soft surfaces, for example cloth under a cloth simulation. They model various states of the animations with different vertex positions. In contrast to skinned animations, morph targets do not use any virtual bones, but work solely on the vertex data. In this example, a facial animation is achieved through morph targets. Without suport for this feature, in this example, the face will not show the animation.
Rigid Animations	Rigid Animations Support: VRML: Full support | Rhino 3DM: No support Impact: Rigid Animations are typically used to animate mechanical parts. In this example, the door of this 3D model of a microwave can be interactively opened or closed, using a rigid animation that gradually changes the 3D transformation of the door. Without support for this feature, in this example, the door will just stay in place and won't move.
Standardized Format	Standardized Format Support: VRML: Full support | Rhino 3DM: Partial support Rhino 3DM Notes: Proprietary format with open specification (openNURBS) Impact: Standardization plays a huge role in 3D model formats. With a format being standardized, every application will have a clear way of how to load or store data using this format. This makes it easier to re-use the 3D model across different applications, but also to make sure it will still be accessible and usable after a couple of years.

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 VRML 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.