T-Splines is a freeform modeling program, tightly integrated with Rhino, created for architects and designers who need to make smooth, high-quality CAD models of their freeform designs. All T-spline models are NURBS-compatible and resolution independent, so you can output your T-spline surface for virtually any downstream purpose, including export to programs like Revit or Microstation, or CNC machining. We won the design contest for the structure with a design that heavily relied on T-Splines. The flowing architecture of the structure would have been extremely difficult to achieve using NURBS. - Leading global architectural firm based in London. “Using T-Splines for Rhino was clearly the fastest way to arrive at the smooth, high-quality model demanded by the requirements.” – Argentine designer who used T-Splines for the winning bid for a Madrid cathedral.

T-Spline-designed components can add a differentiating, organic aspect to your building. T-spline models are of sufficient high quality to be the underlying basis of your architectural form.

T-Splines is useful for

• organic architectural shapes
• enhancing Rhino surface models
• generative freeform modeling with Grasshopper
• converting .obj meshes into smooth geometry

Additionally, since T-Splines is tightly integrated with Rhino, architects have access to all T-Splines and Rhino tools, which combine to offer a very powerful suite of freeform design tools at an affordable price.

Organic architectural shapes

T-spline surfaces are watertight by default, so as you push and pull them to explore shapes, they won’t tear apart. You can start your model by lofting between curves, then add additional details by extruding, bridging, and refining the surface. T-Splines is the only CAD software that allows you to add detail in a local part of the surface without changing the surface, giving you optimal control.

Enhancing surface models

Any untrimmed, degree-3 Rhino surface can be converted to a T-spline surface without changing the shape. Then, you can merge the surfaces together to create a single smooth watertight model, and continue to explore the shape.

T-spline surfaces can be locally refined and have local creases.

NURBS surfaces.

NURBS surfaces merged into a single, smooth T-spline.

Generative modeling

T-Splines can be used to create generative freeform objects with Grasshopper, a free plugin for Rhino. Meshes and line segments generated in Grasshopper can be converted to smooth T-spline surfaces; T-splines can also be arrayed as components inside Grasshopper. Here are more examples of using Grasshopper to make T-spline surfaces.

Model by Fredrik Wenstop

Model by Florian Heinzelmann

Smooth conversion

T-Splines can be used to turn .obj meshes from programs like modo or 3dmax into smooth geometry. Additionally, T-spline surfaces can be converted to IGES, STEP, .3DM, or any other file format available in Rhino, and read in as smooth, watertight, offsettable geometry into other CAD packages.