Leadership Edge: TRXL 176

Summary

In episode 176 of TRXL, I sat down with Scott Davidson to uncover the remarkable story behind Rhinoceros (a.k.a. Rhino 3D; a.k.a. Rhino)—one of the most influential modeling tools in architecture, design, and fabrication. From its humble beginnings as an AutoCAD plugin in the early ‘90s to its widespread adoption across industries, Scott shares how a simple test harness became a full-fledged product thanks to an accidental “leak”.

We also explore Rhino’s unexpected journey into architecture, its impact on computational design, and the revolutionary role of Grasshopper. The conversation dives into the ethos of McNeel & Associates, including their defiant stance on perpetual licensing, the rise of Rhino.Inside, and how their community-driven approach continues to shape the future of design software.

These Campfire series episodes are truly a treat to do, and I hope you’ll check out the full episode to hear the story straight from Scott, who has been with McNeel and Associates for over 30 years.

Also don’t miss my LinkedIn post where I asked for love letters to Rhino from the AEC community. The comments and stories are great.

Key Takeaways

• A Product Born from an Accidental “Leak” – What started as an internal test harness became the foundation of Rhino when early users preferred it over the intended AutoCAD plugin.
• Rhino’s Role in Architecture – Though initially geared toward industrial and marine design, architects like Frank Gehry pioneered its use for complex forms, pushing the tool into mainstream AEC workflows.
• Grasshopper’s Unexpected Impact – Originally a simple scripting aid, Grasshopper evolved into a full computational design platform, shaping a new career path in the industry: the Computational Designer.
• Rhino.Inside: Redefining Interoperability – By embedding Rhino within Revit and other platforms, McNeel bypassed traditional file format limitations, revolutionizing AEC workflows.
• Commitment to Perpetual Licensing – Unlike many competitors, McNeel remains fiercely independent, prioritizing user ownership over subscription models.
• The Power of Community-Driven Development – Rhino’s success is rooted in its users, with feature evolution driven by real-world feedback, constant engagement, and an open development process.

Episode Analysis

How an Accidental “Leak” Created Rhino

Rhino’s origin story is anything but conventional. McNeel & Associates initially developed a NURBS-based modeling plugin for AutoCAD. However, users found their in-house test harness—meant only for internal development—far more effective. Over time, Rhino’s “unofficial” toolset became the go-to software, with users bypassing AutoCAD entirely. Eventually, the McNeel team recognized its potential and officially released Rhino in 1996.

100,000 beta testers later, we decided that, you know what? This is feeling like a product… and the AutoCAD plugin never actually got released.

– Scott Davidson

The Unlikely Adoption by Architects

Initially used for marine and industrial design, Rhino wasn’t aimed at architecture. However, its flexibility in handling complex geometry caught the attention of architects, particularly Frank Gehry, who purchased one of the first copies. This signaled a shift in how architecture approached digital fabrication. Today, Rhino plays a vital role in shaping everything from stadiums to the Sagrada Familia reconstruction.

Grasshopper: A Revolution for Computational Design

Grasshopper began as a tool to simplify Rhino scripting but evolved into a powerful visual programming platform for computational design. Its accessible interface made parametric modeling available to designers without coding experience, eventually influencing fields beyond architecture.

Enter David Rutten, the lead developer behind Grasshopper. His idea was to build a visual scripting environment—a network of connected components that would allow users to define complex geometry through a parametric interface. Initially, Grasshopper was intended to help users string together a handful of commands, but its potential quickly outgrew that vision.

By 2006, an early version of Grasshopper was quietly released. It didn’t take long for architects, designers, and researchers to realize its power. Unlike traditional parametric design tools that relied on rigid constraints, Grasshopper allowed for fluid, generative design. Soon, thousands of users were scripting intricate geometries, automating workflows, and integrating real-world data into their designs—all without writing a single line of code.

The tool's impact exceeded McNeel's expectations, becoming a platform that spawned countless custom scripts and plugins. Today, Grasshopper is integrated into Rhino and remains essential for digital design, with Grasshopper 2 in development to further enhance its capabilities.

We used to say, ‘You shouldn’t be doing that—Grasshopper isn’t supposed to work that way.’ And the users would just say, ‘But it is. Look, it’s right here.’

– Scott Davidson

How Architecture Students Shaped Rhino and Grasshopper

Architecture students played a crucial role in shaping Rhino and Grasshopper. Free from professional constraints, they experimented extensively, discovering possibilities the creators hadn't imagined.

In architecture schools, students leveraged Rhino to create complex geometries beyond traditional CAD capabilities. When Grasshopper arrived as a scripting tool, students quickly recognized its potential. Its visual programming interface made parametric design accessible, leading to widespread adoption in major institutions like MIT, Harvard GSD, and TU Delft.

McNeel responded by keeping Grasshopper free and Rhino student licenses affordable. As graduates entered firms, they brought these tools with them, establishing Rhino and Grasshopper as industry standards for computational design and fabrication.

Today, these tools drive innovation in parametric facades, custom furniture, and complex architectural designs—all thanks to students who dared to experiment.

🚀 The lesson? Give students the right tools, and they won't just use them—they'll transform them.

Rhino.Inside: The Trojan Horse that Enabled AEC Platform Interoperability

McNeel’s Rhino.Inside initiative took interoperability to the next level. By embedding Rhino within Revit, Tekla, and other platforms, users can bypass rigid file formats and dynamically control data flow between applications. This has empowered architects and engineers to manipulate complex geometries while staying within their native workflows.

McNeel’s Defiant Business Model: No Subscriptions, Just Ownership

While most software companies pivot to subscription models, McNeel remains an outlier. Their commitment to perpetual licensing aligns with their philosophy of giving users control over their tools. This decision isn’t just a marketing strategy—it’s a fundamental part of Rhino’s ethos, reinforcing trust and loyalty among users.

Every single person in this company, every day, better talk to a customer. And if they’re not, there’s probably something wrong with our internal processes.

– Scott Davidson

Conclusion

The Rhino story is one of serendipity, community, and defiant independence. From its accidental origins to its profound impact on architecture and computational design, the software’s success is a testament to McNeel’s open, user-driven approach.

For AEC leaders, Rhino’s journey serves as a compelling case study in the power of flexibility, adaptability, and listening to your users. Whether through its deep integration with fabrication, the rise of Grasshopper, or its interoperability breakthroughs, Rhino isn’t just a beloved tool—it’s a movement.

Want to see what’s next? Keep an eye on Grasshopper 2, Rhino 9, and the growing influence of Rhino.Inside as they continue to shape the future of design.