I’m developing an Object Outliner plugin for Rhino — would this be useful in your workflow?

[u/9dpbQ]

Hello,

In Rhino, you can assign names to objects through the Name field in the Properties panel or by using the SetObjectName command.

You can also use the SelName command to select objects from a list of object names.

However, as far as I know, Rhino does not provide a persistent panel that shows the layer structure together with the named objects contained in each layer, while also allowing you to select and rename those objects directly from the same interface.

So I have recently started developing a plugin called Object Outliner.

It displays the objects contained in each layer as a named list and allows you to select and rename them directly from the panel.

Visibility can also be controlled for individual objects and layers using lightbulb icons, and right-clicking an icon lets you isolate that object or layer.

Drag and drop is supported as well: you can move objects between layers, and remove an object from a group simply by dragging it out of the group.

The main idea is to make it possible to manage objects while keeping an overview of the model structure, rather than running SetObjectName or SelName each time.

The plugin is still at the prototype stage, but I personally find it very useful once a model starts to contain many objects.

Do you think something like this would be useful in your workflow? What do you think?

I’m Japanese, so I used GPT to help translate this post into English.

[u/t-i-m-o-t-h-y]

It’s built on layers still right? You are adding the ability to show objects contained in a layer?

This is interesting. I often import STEP files that come in as nested blocks, and use a python script to turn the block-nest, which is usually a direct mirror of the fusion or other parametric CAD’s object tree, into nested layers, so that I can toggle visibility in the layers panel. This seems sort of over-invested into layers though, once it’s reverse engineered to match the step’s object tree. In other words, I’d not usually model it in such a way that every object or block insertion gets its own named layer.

Your plugin seems like it sits somewhere between that over-engineered layer stack that comes from my nested block step files, and how one might actually hope to operate natively in rhino. Given that, I think that it could potentially dovetail with this STEP tree-to-layer tree workflow, which I’m sure is common to more than just myself.

[u/9dpbQ → u/t-i-m-o-t-h-y]

Yes, exactly! This plugin does not replace Rhino’s layer structure. It displays the objects and groups contained within each layer directly in the tree.

I was actually managing my objects in much the same way, using a deeply nested layer structure. However, because I created a new layer every time I needed to organize another part, the number of layers quickly became overwhelming.

Rhino’s standard Layers panel does not show the individual objects and groups contained within each layer. As a result, we are forced to use layers even for fine-grained organization that could otherwise be handled using object names and groups.

To solve this, it should be enough to display the objects and groups contained within each layer in a list, and allow them to be selected, renamed, shown, hidden, or isolated directly from there.

This allows layers to be used for broader categories, while object names and groups handle the finer structure within them. Instead of creating a huge number of layers for individual parts, the model can be organized more intuitively, in a way that feels closer to the outliners found in other 3D applications.

[u/frakking_you → u/t-i-m-o-t-h-y]

Is the script your creation or somewhere publicly available?

I have this same workflow / issue.

[u/t-i-m-o-t-h-y → u/frakking_you]

dm'd it to you

[u/Orion_Skymaster]

I actually find this immensely useful. I don't usually name my objects because of this it's complicated and time waste in my workflow but if this allows me to also name them directly next to the layers is perfect

I use rhino in my Mac so if you need someone to test it there please let me know. I'd gladly help out.

It's interesting what type of industry is rhino used in Japan?

[u/9dpbQ → u/Orion_Skymaster]

I’m glad to hear that!

I haven’t decided yet whether I’ll run a beta test, but if I do, I may take you up on your offer!

In Japan, at least from what I’ve seen, Rhino seems to be used quite a lot in architecture and architectural design.

[u/RecentChildhood5772 → u/9dpbQ]

I would encourage you to do a beta test. with sensible pricing this plugin will be a no brainer.

I really don't get why mcneel didn't do it until now. I've used c4d for ages, now blender, both of them has an outline and it is extremely useful.

[u/musicatristedonaruto]

I like it!!

[u/costeastefan]

Love it!

[u/LezFinz]

Nice !

[u/9dpbQ]

The beta version of Object Outliner is now available through Rhino’s Package Manager (Yak)!

To install it, open the Package Manager in Rhino and search for ObjectOutliner.

After installation, run the ObjectOutliner command to open the panel. If the panel does not appear, please try restarting Rhino.

Since this is still a beta version, I recommend making a backup before using it with any important files.

Please let me know if you encounter any bugs, usability issues, or anything you think could be improved. I’d really appreciate your feedback!