Rhino 3D Tip: Pristine Master and Versioned WIP Workflow for Rhino

Keep one pristine Master 3DM; do daily work in disposable Work copies. Here’s a proven setup to reduce risk, accelerate collaboration, and keep models healthy at scale.

Why it matters

• Stability: the Master stays lightweight, consistent, and easy to audit.
• Speed: Work copies let you iterate, test, and undo aggressively without polluting the Master.

Folder and naming strategy

• Create top-level folders: 01_Master, 02_Work, 03_Refs, 04_Renders, 05_Exports, 99_Archive.
• Master file naming: ProjectName_Master.3dm (read-only).
• Work copies: ProjectName_WIP_YYYYMMDD_hhmm_v###.3dm or use IncrementalSave for automatic versioning.
• Keep references external in 03_Refs; use Insert as Linked Block or manage with Worksession.

Master file: hygiene rules

• Reference, don’t embed: prefer Linked Blocks and Worksessions so the Master stays lean and resolves updates cleanly.
• Lock non-edit layers; use clear layer prefixes (e.g., 00_REF, 10_MODEL, 90_ANNOT).
• Set correct Units and Tolerances early (Document Properties) and don’t change midstream.
• Run Purge before milestones; save with SaveSmall to strip render meshes.
• Quality checks: SelBadObjects, ShowEdges (Naked edges), and Check on suspicious parts.
• Record scope, change log, and links in Document Notes.

Work copies: fast, fearless iteration

• Always branch from the read-only Master; never model “directly” in the Master.
• Use IncrementalSave frequently; annotate major moves in the file Notes.
• Disable excess History when not needed (History = Record=No) to keep performance snappy.
• Do heavy Booleans, remeshing, or SubD exploration here. Keep test geometry on dedicated WIP layers.
• Before reintegrating: delete temps, Purge, run SelBadObjects, and verify tolerances.
• Merge back to the Master via Insert as a Block (then Explode if required) or attach via Worksession for review first.

References, textures, and portability

• Use relative paths for assets; keep bitmaps in a dedicated Maps subfolder.
• Before handoff, use Package to bundle the 3DM, linked blocks, and textures into a single ZIP.

Collaboration safeguards

• Enable file locking (Options > Files) to prevent simultaneous overwrites.
• Adopt a short checklist for commits: Purge → Checks → SaveSmall → Package (if sharing).
• Document decisions in Notes; add a brief “What changed / Why” per commit.

Quick checklist

• Master is clean, light, locked-down, and reference-driven.
• Work happens in versioned WIPs; never in the Master.
• Validate geometry before reintegration; keep paths relative; package deliverables.

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