Step 1:
We'll be using Rhino 8 every week, so you'll need Rhino 8 for Windows or Mac installed on your computer. Please do not use a cracked copy of Rhino, this will result in issues I can't resolve while also exposing yourself to malware threats. The evaluation version of Rhino 8 works for 90 days, after 90 days you won't be able to save files or run plugins using the evaluation license but you can ask rhinozoocloud@risd.edu to add your RISD email to the Rhino Account Team which contains some lab licenses owned by RISD. If your email or your computer have previously had a Rhino 8 evaluation, new evaluations will not work (see step 2). Rhino 8 for Windows has some plugin possibilities that you won't have on Mac but otherwise the two versions are almost the exact same feature set and using either is fine for this class.
Please review the system requirements for Rhino 8 for Windows and Mac
If you run Windows, Make sure you're up to date with important Microsoft updates prior to running the Rhino installer to avoid installation errors. Also make certain your graphics card has a recent driver installed on your Windows OS. Don't use Parallels or VMware to run Windows on a Mac, these methods often have graphics issues.
If you work on macOS, graphic card drivers are updated with macOS updates. Make sure you are on macOS 13 Ventura or higher for Rhino 8.
Apple Silicon M1, 2, 3 etc. Macs are supported and are a great choice using any recent macOS.
Get a three button mouse or use a tablet that allows three button mapping via the stylus. You can of course use a trackpad on a laptop if you prefer but it's much slower in my opinion.
Please contact me, bjames@risd.edu if you have any issues.
Step 2:
If you've already run the Rhino 8 evaluation for Windows or Mac and the 90 day period has expired, you'll need to contact rhinozoocloud@risd.edu as explained above OR buy a license to participate in the course. Go to the RISD store's online software hub and buy a copy of Rhino 8, the license is cross platform and can be used on Rhino 8 for Mac or Windows. Last I checked this was around $80 instead of the normal $195 educational or $995 commercial cost. Your purchase will be a commercial license sold at an educational discount and then further discounted due to RISD reselling it. You'll own it forever without annual maintenance fees and can use it legally before and after you graduate for commercial design work. Which means you can deduct it as an expense on your taxes, pretty cool right!?!
If you request a 90 day Rhino evaluation license from the link at the top of this page... you'll be asked to create a Rhino Account if one does not already exist for your email address. The evaluation license will automatically be added to your account and will be floating in the cloud. After installing Rhino on any Mac or Windows computers that you want to use, launch Rhino and login with your email to access your license. You can manage your Rhino Account at https://accounts.rhino3d.com/ to add any license you may purchase to it. I'd also suggest adding a personal email alias to your Rhino Account for after you graduate so that you can always access any licenses in the account.
In summary, this is what you need to do...
Install Rhino 8 for Windows or Mac for our first class
Get a three button mouse for class