Save

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Save

Ctrl (CMD) + S

The Save command saves the current model.

You can automatically save a backup file each time a model is saved.

See: Options > Files.

Steps

  1. In the File name box, type a name for the file.
  2. Click Save.

To save as an earlier version of Rhino

To save as a different file format

  • Type the file name with the desired extension.

See: Export.

Options

Save small

Clear render and analysis meshes to reduce the 3dm file size. When you open the model next time, Rhino will re-create the render and analysis meshes as needed.

Save textures

Embed images used by materials, environments and decals into the 3dm. The images will not be lost when the 3dm is moved to another computer. Details...

Save plugin data

Save data attached to objects or the document by plug-ins.

Save geometry only

Saves geometry objects only. No layers, materials, properties, notes, or units settings are saved.

This is similar to exporting the objects. A new file is made, but it does not become your active Rhino model.

In the emergency save (out of memory) situation, Rhino automatically attempts to save your current model under a different name and prevent you from saving over your last .3dm file. Search your hard disk for a file named RHINO_EMERGENCY_SAVE.3dm.

To access hidden command-line options

  • Type a hyphen in front of the command name: -Save.
Command-line options

Version

Specifies the Rhino version for the saved file.

SaveSmall

Though clearing the render meshes makes the file smaller, it will shade and render more slowly the next time you open the file.

GeometryOnly

Saves geometry objects only. No layers, materials, properties, notes, or units settings are saved. This is similar to exporting the objects. A new file is made, but it does not become your active Rhino model.

SaveTextures

Embeds external textures used by materials, environments and decals into the model.

SavePlugInData

Saves data attached to objects or the document by plug-in applications.

Browse

Opens the Save window.

SaveACopy

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New in V8

File

Save a Copy

The SaveACopy command saves the current Rhino model, including unsaved data, to a new 3dm file. The current date and time will be added to the file name.

Differences between SaveACopy and SaveAs

  • SaveAs opens the new 3dm in the current Rhino window. SaveACopy does not.
  • SaveAs allows saving all file formats supported by Rhino. SaveACopy only saves 3dm files of different Rhino versions.

SaveAs

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STL Tools

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Save As

The SaveAs command saves the current model with a different name, closes the current model, and opens the new model.

Options

Save small

Clear render and analysis meshes to reduce the 3dm file size. When you open the model next time, Rhino will re-create the render and analysis meshes as needed.

Save textures

Embed images used by materials, environments and decals into the 3dm. The images will not be lost when the 3dm is moved to another computer. Details...

Save plugin data

Save data attached to objects or the document by plug-ins.

Save geometry only

Saves geometry objects only. No layers, materials, properties, notes, or units settings are saved.

This is similar to exporting the objects. A new file is made, but it does not become your active Rhino model.

To access hidden command-line options

  • Type a hyphen in front of the command name: -SaveAs.
Command-line options

Version

Specifies the Rhino version for the saved file.

SaveSmall

Though clearing the render meshes makes the file smaller, it will shade and render more slowly the next time you open the file.

GeometryOnly

Saves geometry objects only. No layers, materials, properties, notes, or units settings are saved. This is similar to exporting the objects. A new file is made, but it does not become your active Rhino model.

SaveTextures

Embeds external textures used by materials, environments and decals into the model.

SavePlugInData

Saves data attached to objects or the document by plug-in applications.

Browse

Opens the Save window.

SaveAsTemplate

Toolbar Menu

File

File

Save As Template

The SaveAsTemplate command saves the current model as a template file.

Options

Save small

Clear render and analysis meshes to reduce the 3dm file size. When you open the model next time, Rhino will re-create the render and analysis meshes as needed.

Save textures

Embed images used by materials, environments and decals into the 3dm. The images will not be lost when the 3dm is moved to another computer. Details...

Save plugin data

Save data attached to objects or the document by plug-ins.

Notes

  • Template files are located in the Rhino support folder.
  • You can change the default location of template files in Files Options.

  • To add a description to a template file, type the description in the Notes panel before saving the template file. Start the note with the ' (apostrophe), # (number/pound sign) or // (slash slash) character to prevent it from being copied into the new document created from the template. The description displays in the template list of the splash screen when Rhino starts.

To access hidden command-line options

  • Type a hyphen in front of the command name: -SaveAsTemplate.
Command-line options

SaveSmall

Though clearing the render meshes makes the file smaller, it will shade and render more slowly the next time you open the file.

SaveTextures

Embeds external textures used by materials, environments and decals into the model.

SavePlugInData

Saves data attached to objects or the document by plug-in applications.

Browse

Opens the Save window.

SaveSmall

Toolbar Menu

File

File

Save Small

The SaveSmall command saves geometry objects without meshes.

Note

  • Use SaveSmall when you want to save disk space or send the file to someone via e-mail or other electronic media.
  • Your render meshes will regenerate when you Render or Shade your viewports.
  • If your model takes a long time to shade the first time, save your render meshes. This will save time when opening the file or shading the first time.

To access hidden command-line options

  • Type a hyphen in front of the command name: -SaveSmall.
Command-line options

Version

Specifies the Rhino version for the saved file.

SavePlugInData

Saves data attached to objects or the document by plug-in applications.

Browse

Opens the Save window.

IncrementalSave

Toolbar Menu

File

File

Incremental Save

The IncrementalSave command saves the model as a new sequentially-numbered version. The current model is not affected.

  • Save a model with a name that matches the pattern of *<space><Number>.3dm. If the number has 3 or more digits, Incremental Save will increase the number. For example, "Mouse 25555.3dm" will be saved as "Mouse 25556.3dm".
  • If the number has less than three digits, enough 0's will be added to make a 3-digit number. For example, "Mouse 5.3dm" will be saved as "Mouse 006.3dm"
  • IncrementalSave only saves the current 3dm format. If the model is a previous format, it prompts to re-save the model.

  • The IncrementalSave command saves small by default. Render and analysis meshes will not save to the file. To keep render and analysis meshes in the file, use the scriptable command: ‑IncrementalSave

Autosave

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File

Not on menus.

The Autosave command saves the current file to the designated AutoSave(Number) file.

  • The automatic save mechanism periodically saves a copy of your current model.
  • This autosaved file is moved to the recycle bin every time the model is successfully saved.
  • If Rhino is not successfully closed, either because it crashed or because you turned off your computer while your file was open, the autosave file remains on your hard drive.
  • When you run Rhino and Rhino detected an autosaved file, Rhino prompts to save the recovered model.

Warning

This is the only opportunity to recover the model. If you choose not to save, the autosaved file will be moved to the recycle bin.

To turn automatic Autosave on

  • In Files Options, under Autosave, check the Save every box and type a number of minutes.

To set the name and folder of the Autosave file

  • In Files Options, under Autosave, set the folder and file name.

To set a list of commands that trigger Autosave automatically

  • In Files Options, under Autosave, in the Always save before box, type the command names.
    Running commands in this list will trigger an autosave even if Autosave is not turned on.

Note

  • A timer is used to fire an autosave event. If no command is running, Rhino saves immediately. If a command is running, Rhino autosaves at the end of the command/script that is running.
  • Rhino starts the timer only when the document is modified.
  • Save (but not Export, nor SaveAs) resets the autosave timer.
  • Save also clears the flag indicating which is the last autosaved file because the real file is more current than the Autosave file.
  • If the active model is named, the Autosave file will be placed in the default Autosave folder and be named as:
    <auto save folder>//<file name>_RhinoAutoSave(<thread_id>).3dm
  • If the active model is not named, autosave file is written to the default Autosave file.

See also

Export

Save selected objects to a new file.

ExportWithOrigin

Save objects to a new file with a specified origin and construction plane.

ExportBitmaps

Create files from bitmaps in the model.

OptionsExport

Save Options settings to a file.

Work with files

Index of import/export file types