Exporting and Importing Rhino Geometry in Twinmotion

Preparing Rhino Geometry for Export

Organize Layers and Materials

Open your Rhino file and ensure your model is organized across multiple layers. Assign a unique material to each layer—not for visual fidelity, but to preserve organization when importing into Twinmotion.

Note: Twinmotion discards Rhino layer information during import, but retains material assignments. This workaround helps you maintain a logical structure within Twinmotion.

Organize with Separate Layers in Rhino

Structure your Rhino project using multiple layers. This improves clarity, allows for easier modifications, and simplifies material assignments in Twinmotion—since material groupings help maintain organization when importing.

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When Objects Don’t Appear in Twinmotion

If something is visible in Rhino but missing in Twinmotion, it’s likely due to surface orientation. Here are ways to fix it:

1. Enable Double-Sided Materials

• In Twinmotion:
  Materials → Properties → Misc → Enable Two Sided

2. Extrude the Surface in Rhino

• Use the ExtrudeSrf command to convert flat surfaces into solids with volume.

3. Correct Surface Direction

• In Rhino, use the Dir command to visualize surface normals.
• If needed, use Flip to reverse the direction so it faces outward.

Exporting Geometry from Rhino

Use the Datasmith Export Tool

1. In Rhino, open the Datasmith toolbar.
2. Click Export 3D View to create a .udatasmith file.
3. Save this file with a clear name in an easily accessible location.

⚠️ Avoid using the direct link feature for live updates—it's known to be unstable and may cause irrecoverable project crashes.

🔍 Datasmith vs. FBX

Tip: Always choose Datasmith when working with Twinmotion to ensure smoother imports and better project management. Use FBX only if you're targeting generic 3D platforms or lack plugin access.

File Management Tip

The export process may create additional folders alongside your .udatasmith file. Twinmotion needs these, so be sure to keep them intact and store everything in the same directory as your Rhino and Twinmotion project files.

Importing into Twinmotion

1. Launch Twinmotion and start a new scene.
2. Open the Import menu (bottom of screen).
3. Click the + icon or use the shortcut Ctrl + L.
4. Select GEOMETRY as the import type.

Recommended Import Settings

• Collapse: by material
• Use Full Precision UVs: ✅
• Full Precision Normals: ❌
• Light Settings: Use original
• Enable Substitution: ✅

Next, generate a substitution table:

• Click the three dots next to “substitution table”.
• Choose Generate Default Table and save it in your project folder.

This table links Rhino materials to Twinmotion materials and ensures that updates to Rhino geometry won’t require reapplying all your Twinmotion material settings.

After clicking OK, your model should appear in the scene. If it doesn't:

• Too Far from Origin: Check the Scene Graph (bottom-right) and right-click a model element, then choose Zoom to Selection.
• Flipped Geometry: Ensure you’re only exporting closed geometry like polysurfaces or extrusions. Try viewing the model from another angle.

Syncing Changes from Rhino to Twinmotion

You can continue modifying your Rhino model and re-exporting as long as your setup remains consistent.

• If overwriting the existing .udatasmith file, go to the Import tab in Twinmotion and click the refresh icon.
• If using a new export file, click the three dots on the old file, select File Settings, and update the link to your new .udatasmith file.

This workflow keeps your Twinmotion project in sync with evolving Rhino designs.