Name

3D Software

Legal name

3D Software

Website

https://3dsoftware.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

3D Modeling Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (51321), Software Publishers (5132), Industrial Design Services (541420)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

3D Design & CAD for Additive Manufacturing (IMAAACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH), Architecture & Construction Scale Models (Additive) (IMAAAFAL)

Keywords

• 3D modeling software
• NURBS design tools
• Parametric design software
• Architectural BIM plugins
• 3D design training

Headquarters

HQ city

Delft

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Commercial Software Sales: One-time perpetual license sales of Rhinoceros 8, Bongo 2, and third-party plugins including VisualARQ, Karamba3D, RhinoTerrain, RhinoCity, Mesh2Surface, RhinoResurf, RhinoArtisan, RhinoMembrane, ExactFlat, Bella Renderer, Lands Design, and RhinoLands. Prices range from €495 to €6,399 per license.
2. Educational/Lab Licensing: Discounted educational licenses for students, teachers, professors, and schools. Individual educational licenses from €49-€495, lab/classroom licenses (30-user) from €195-€1,190. Requires proof of educational status.
3. Training and Consultancy Services: Rhino training classes provided at company office or in-house. Additional services include network setup, cloud backup configuration, and temporary experienced Rhino modelers from TU Delft campus.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

3D Software is an authorized Netherlands-based reseller of McNeel's Rhinoceros 8 NURBS 3D modeling platform (including the Grasshopper visual programming environment) and a curated suite of third-party plugins for architecture, landscape, structural engineering, terrain, jewelry, rendering, animation, reverse engineering, and fabrication. The company packages these software licenses with localized sales/support and on-site or in-office Rhino training and consultancy for educational institutions and professional design firms across Benelux, Germany, France, and the UK.

Product overview

3D Software is an official reseller of McNeel Rhinoceros 3D modeling software, offering a platform-plus-extensions architecture centered on Rhino 8 for Windows and Mac. The core product is Rhino 8, a professional NURBS-based 3D modeler that includes the Grasshopper visual programming environment as an integrated module. The portfolio includes Bongo for animation, and specialized plugins for specific design domains: RhinoArtisan for jewelry design, VisualARQ 3 for architectural BIM, Lands Design 6 for landscape architecture, Karamba3D for structural engineering, RhinoTerrain and RhinoCity for terrain and urban modeling, Mesh2Surface and RhinoResurf for reverse engineering/scan-to-CAD, Bella Render for rendering, RhinoMembrane for tensile membrane structures, ExactFlat for fabric flattening, and ixCube FEA for finite element analysis. The company also provides training services and supports educational institutions with lab and classroom licensing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rhino 8 Professional NURBS-based 3D modeling platform for Windows and Mac that creates, edits, analyzes, documents, renders, animates, and translates NURBS curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes with no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond hardware constraints; includes the Grasshopper visual programming environment as an integrated module. Aimed at industrial designers, architects, engineers, marine designers, jewelry designers, and educational institutions.
• Bongo 2 Animation plugin for Rhino that provides integrated animation capabilities with timeline control, keyframe editing, and an IK engine for architectural walkthroughs and mechanical system animations. Sold as a one-time Windows-only perpetual license (€495; €195 upgrade).
• RhinoArtisan Jewelry design plugin for Rhino that uses intuitive parametric modeling with Sub-D and Sub-D Crease commands for organic 3D modeling of customized jewelry pieces, with easy component modification. Sold as individual and 30-seat educational lab licenses.
• Bella Renderer Spectral render engine for Rhino that models optical physics to provide predictable and intuitive rendering with clear parameters and a minimal learning curve. Available as perpetual license (€495) and educational license (€49).
• Mesh2Surface Premium Reverse engineering plugin for Rhino 8 that converts scanned mesh and point-cloud data into NURBS models with tools for fitting primitives, surface reconstruction, symmetry detection, and deviation analysis. Sold as perpetual license (€1,245) and educational license (€345).
• RhinoResurf 3 Reverse engineering tool for Rhino 7 & 8 that reconstructs NURBS surfaces from mesh or point clouds with user-specified precision, with additional free-form surface modeling capabilities. Sold as perpetual license (€595) and educational license (€295).
• VisualARQ 3 Parametric architectural software for Rhino 7 & 8 providing smart architectural objects (walls, beams, stairs, doors, windows), flexible BIM, IFC import/export, and 2D documentation from 3D views. Sold as perpetual license (€795; €475 upgrade; €880 with Savanna3D bundle) and educational license (€95).
• Lands Design 6 Landscape design solution for Rhino 8 with GIS/DEM/satellite imagery import, BIM/LIM compatibility, 2D drawing and 3D visualization, and an extensive library of 3D plants. Sold as perpetual license (€795; €475 upgrade; €1,450 bundled with VisualARQ 3) and educational license (€95).
• Karamba3D 3 Parametric structural engineering tool integrated with Grasshopper that provides finite element analysis of spatial trusses, frames, and shells. Sold as a one-year unlimited subscription (€900) and educational license (€30).
• RhinoTerrain Digital terrain modeling plugin for Rhino that uses a constrained triangulation algorithm to handle large data volumes and integrates with Rhinoceros for 3D visualization. Sold as node-locked (€1,555) or floating/network (€1,915) perpetual licenses.
• RhinoCity 3D city and land modeling plugin for Rhino using a Boolean extrusion engine to create textured models from roof vectors, aerial imagery, point clouds, or cadastral files. Sold as node-locked (€5,155) or floating/network (€5,875) perpetual license, with a 60-day trial at €500 (€500 refundable after ordering).
• RhinoMembrane Tensile membrane design plugin for Rhino 8, integrated with Grasshopper, that solves formfinding, stress state, and cable tension calculations for tent and tensile structures. Sold as a perpetual license (€1,500; 15-seat classroom price varies).
• ExactFlat for Rhino Fabric flattening software that converts 3D designs into stitchable 2D patterns with automated tension correction and seam addition for upholstery, shipping, sailing, and garment industries. Sold as a perpetual license including first-year maintenance (€6,399) with a €249 evaluation program.
• ixCube FEA Finite element analysis application integrated with Rhino and Grasshopper for designing, calculating, and plotting constructions. Resold to Dutch/EU customers through 3D Software.
• Rhino Training and Consultancy Services Fee-based Rhino training classes delivered at the company office in Delft or on-site at customer premises, plus consultancy on network setup, cloud backup configuration, and temporary staffing of experienced Rhino modelers sourced from TU Delft. Targeted at professional design firms and educational institutions.
• RhinoLands Suite Bundled offering that combines Lands Design 6, VisualARQ 3, and Rhino 8 into a single landscape and architectural design suite for Rhino users. Priced at €1,790 as a one-time perpetual license.

Quantifiable outcome

• Workflow efficiency improvement through integrated parametric design and visual programming
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Robert McNeel & AssociatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial authorized reseller of Rhinoceros 3D software and Grasshopper visual programming environment. Provides local sales, support, and licensing in Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and France.
• RhinoArtisancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of RhinoArtisan jewelry design plugin for Rhino 8. Offers both individual and 30-seat educational lab licenses.
• Bella RendercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Bella spectral render engine for Rhino. Available as perpetual license and educational pricing at €49.
• Mesh2SurfacecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Mesh2Surface reverse engineering plugin. Converts scanned point cloud and mesh data into precise NURBS models.
• RhinoResurfcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of RhinoResurf reverse engineering tool for Rhino. Reconstructs NURBS surfaces from mesh or point cloud with specified precision.
• VisualARQcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of VisualARQ 3 parametric architectural software for Rhino 7 & 8. Includes BIM/LIM features and IFC import/export. Offers Savanna3D bundle.
• Lands DesigncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Lands Design 6 landscape architecture software for Rhino 8. Includes GIS/DEM import and BIM/LIM support. Bundle available with VisualARQ.
• Karamba3DcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of Karamba3D parametric structural engineering tool integrated with Grasshopper for analysis of spatial trusses, frames, and shells.
• RhinoTerraincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of RhinoTerrain digital terrain modeling plugin. Creates terrain models from constrained triangulation, handles large data volumes.
• RhinoCitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of RhinoCity 3D city modeling plugin. Creates textured models from roof vectors, aerial imagery, point clouds, or cadastral files using Boolean extrusion engine.
• RhinoMembranecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of RhinoMembrane tensile membrane design plugin integrated with Grasshopper. Solves formfinding, stress state, and cable tension for tent structures.
• ExactFlatcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of ExactFlat Rhino plugin for 3D-to-2D pattern flattening. Automates fabric cutting and stitching for upholstery, shipping, sailing, and garment industries.
• ixCube FEAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReseller of ixCube FEA finite element analysis application integrated with Rhino and Grasshopper.
• Food4RhinocoreTechnology or IntegrationMarketplace integration connecting users to the Rhino and Grasshopper plugin ecosystem. Features free and paid plugins along with user forums and McNeel support links.
• 3D Hubs / ProtolabsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner for 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, and injection molding services. Network of 35,000+ manufacturing businesses worldwide for customers without own fabrication machinery.
• Trotec LaserminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner for Trotec laser cutters and engravers. Austrian manufacturer offering CO2 and fiber laser technology for engraving, cutting, and marking.
• Radex Innovation CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTech hub co-location partner on TU Delft campus. Provides access to student talent and academic expertise for temporary Rhino modeling assistance.
• Delft Technical University (TU Delft)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership providing campus location and access to experienced Rhino modelers for temporary project assistance. Historical connection as founders lectured at the university.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Autodesk: Global CAD/BIM incumbent offering Revit, Fusion 360, 3ds Max, and AutoCAD as integrated subscription alternatives. Competes for the same architect, designer, and engineering customers in the Benelux and DACH regions.
• Dassault Systèmes: Provider of SOLIDWORKS and CATIA, dominant in industrial design, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing CAD. A frequent alternative procurement for Rhino customers in product design and aerospace.
• Graphisoft: Developer of ArchiCAD, a competing BIM platform for architects. Its Benelux channel partners and direct enterprise sales compete with Rhino+VisualARQ in architectural firms.
• Robert McNeel & Associates: The principal software vendor whose Rhinoceros and Grasshopper products 3D Software resells. As the global developer and primary direct seller, McNeel both enables and threatens 3D Software's regional channel.
• McNeel Europe: European arm of the principal vendor, providing direct sales, support, and partner management for Rhino. Acts as both upstream partner and potential direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Simply Rhino: UK-based Rhino reseller and training provider offering Rhino, Grasshopper, and the same McNeel plugin ecosystem (VisualARQ, Karamba3D, Lands Design) with comparable model of localized support and training.
• RhinoCentre (Buro voor Vormgeving): Dutch competitor focused on Rhino training, consultancy, and plugin development, operating in the same Netherlands market with overlapping service offerings.
• Asuni CAD: Spanish Rhino reseller serving Iberia with similar product mix (Rhino 8 + plugins) and training services. Comparable channel role in an adjacent European geography.

Others

• Trotec Laser: Austrian laser cutter/engraver manufacturer and referral partner of 3D Software. Connected through the Rhino fabrication workflow but operating as a complementary hardware vendor rather than a direct competitor.
• Protolabs (3D Hubs): Global digital manufacturing platform that 3D Software integrates with for on-demand 3D printing, CNC, and injection molding services. Acts as a downstream enablement partner in the Rhino-to-fabrication workflow.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 3D Software