---
title: How to use Enscape in Rhino. How to add Enscape to Rhino
description: Learn how to open and use Enscape in Rhino for real-time rendering and virtual reality. Basic tips to get started quickly.
image: https://blog.chaos.com/hubfs/Rhino%20Image%20in%20Enscape.jpg
---

[Chaos Logo](https://blog.chaos.com/)

- Products

    - [Enscape](https://www.chaos.com/enscape)
    - [V-Ray](https://www.chaos.com/vray)
    - [Corona](https://www.chaos.com/corona)
    - [Veras](https://chaos.com/veras)
    - [Cloud](https://chaos.com/credits)
    - [V-Ray Blender](https://www.chaos.com/vray/blender)
    - [Arena](https://www.chaos.com/arena)
- Industry solutions

    - [Education](https://www.chaos.com/education/educational-hub)
    - [Student](https://www.chaos.com/students)
    - [Educator](https://www.chaos.com/educators)
    - [Institutions](https://www.chaos.com/educational-institutions)
    - [Architectural design](https://www.chaos.com/architecture)
    - [Architectural visualization](https://www.chaos.com/architectural-visualization)
    - [Interior design](https://www.chaos.com/interior-design)
    - [Landscape rendering](https://www.chaos.com/landscape-architecture)
    - [Urban planning](https://www.chaos.com/urban-planning)
    - [Film and television VFX](https://www.chaos.com/film-vfx)
    - [Virtual production](https://www.chaos.com/virtual-production)
    - [Advertising](https://www.chaos.com/advertising)
    - [Automotive](https://www.chaos.com/automotive)
    - [Games](https://www.chaos.com/games)
    - [Product design](https://www.chaos.com/product-design)
    - [Software development](https://www.chaos.com/developers)
- Learning & Community

    - [Learning](https://chaos.com/learning)
    - [Chaos Academy](https://academy.chaos.com/)
    - [Blog](https://blog.chaos.com/)
    - [CGconnect](https://chaos.com/cgconnect)
    - [Gallery](https://chaos.com/gallery)
    - [Forum](https://forums.chaos.com/)
- Support

    - [Contact Support](https://chaos.com/contact-us)
    - [Help Center](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us)
    - [FAQ](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003671518-FAQ)
    - [Documentation](https://documentation.chaos.com/)
- [Pricing](https://www.chaos.com/pricing)

[Try](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial)

[Buy](https://www.chaos.com/pricing)

- Products

    - [Enscape](https://www.chaos.com/enscape)
    - [V-Ray](https://www.chaos.com/vray)
    - [Corona](https://www.chaos.com/corona)
    - [Veras](https://chaos.com/veras)
    - [Cloud](https://chaos.com/credits)
    - [V-Ray Blender](https://www.chaos.com/vray/blender)
    - [Arena](https://www.chaos.com/arena)
- Industry solutions

    - [Education](https://www.chaos.com/education/educational-hub)
    - [Student](https://www.chaos.com/students)
    - [Educator](https://www.chaos.com/educators)
    - [Institutions](https://www.chaos.com/educational-institutions)
    - [Architectural design](https://www.chaos.com/architecture)
    - [Architectural visualization](https://www.chaos.com/architectural-visualization)
    - [Interior design](https://www.chaos.com/interior-design)
    - [Landscape rendering](https://www.chaos.com/landscape-architecture)
    - [Urban planning](https://www.chaos.com/urban-planning)
    - [Film and television VFX](https://www.chaos.com/film-vfx)
    - [Virtual production](https://www.chaos.com/virtual-production)
    - [Advertising](https://www.chaos.com/advertising)
    - [Automotive](https://www.chaos.com/automotive)
    - [Games](https://www.chaos.com/games)
    - [Product design](https://www.chaos.com/product-design)
    - [Software development](https://www.chaos.com/developers)
- Learning & Community

    - [Learning](https://chaos.com/learning)
    - [Chaos Academy](https://academy.chaos.com/)
    - [Blog](https://blog.chaos.com/)
    - [CGconnect](https://chaos.com/cgconnect)
    - [Gallery](https://chaos.com/gallery)
    - [Forum](https://forums.chaos.com/)
- Support

    - [Contact Support](https://chaos.com/contact-us)
    - [Help Center](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us)
    - [FAQ](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003671518-FAQ)
    - [Documentation](https://documentation.chaos.com/)
- [Pricing](https://www.chaos.com/pricing)
- English

    - [Deutsch](https://blog.chaos.com/de/real-time-rendering-und-virtuelle-realitaet-mit-rhino)
    - [français](https://blog.chaos.com/fr/rendu-en-temps-reel-et-realite-virtuelle-avec-rhino)
    - [italiano](https://blog.chaos.com/it/rendering-in-tempo-reale-e-realta-virtuale-con-rhino)

[Try](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial) [Buy](https://www.chaos.com/pricing)

[\< All Blog Posts](https://blog.chaos.com)

 Dan Stine

Last updated: May 28, 2026  •   3 min read

# How to Open and Use Enscape in Rhino

Those using **Rhinoceros** (Rhino), by Robert McNeel and Associates (RMA), as their 3D authoring tool of choice will be excited to know that Enscape has expanded their popular [real-time rendering](https://www.chaos.com/enscape/real-time-rendering) and VR experience to work with it. This means that you can use Enscape in Rhino easily and efficiently.

If you already know about Enscape, you will be happy to hear that all the same features work in Rhino. If you are new to Enscape, you are in for a treat! This post will provide you with an overview that will allow you to get started with Enscape for Rhino, and this cutting-edge technology, right away.

## How to use Enscape in Rhino

If you have an Enscape license, you can not only use it for Revit, but also with SketchUp,  Rhino, Archicad and Vectorworks. As seen in the image below, a single installation process includes all of the add-ins. 

For step-by-step tips for getting started with [Enscape and Rhino](https://www.chaos.com/enscape/rhino-rendering), be sure to read the Knowledge Base article: [Enabling Enscape in Your CAD](https://enscape3d.com/community/blog/knowledgebase/enable_enscape/)

The image below shows a sample Rhino model courtesy of [LHB](https://www.lhbcorp.com/).  
The next two images show the Enscape commands in Rhino. If you are at all familiar with Enscape in Revit or SketchUp, you will be happy to know that these are the exact same commands in Rhino.

If you are new to Enscape, here is a quick overview of the most used commands:

- **Enscape** tab 
    - Start Enscape
    - [Enscape assets](https://blog.chaos.com/free-resources-for-architectural-projects?hsLang=en)
    - Enscape materials

## Starting Enscape

With a Rhino model open, simply click the **Start/Play** icon to launch Enscape. The initial result is shown below. Notice the [sky](https://enscape3d.com/community/blog/knowledgebase/skybox-as-a-background/)and [sun](https://enscape3d.com/community/blog/knowledgebase/sun_geolocation/), as well as the reflections in the [glass](https://blog.chaos.com/best-practices-glass-in-architectural-design/?hsLang=en). From here you are free to navigate the model at this same quality using the input references at the bottom; **H** toggles this menu on and off.

## Enable / disable VR

If you have a [**HTC Vive**](https://enscape3d.com/community/blog/knowledgebase/using-virtual-reality-headset/), or an [**Oculus Rift**](https://enscape3d.com/community/blog/knowledgebase/using-virtual-reality-headset/) properly set up on your computer, simply click the **VR Headset** icon to be able to jump right into your model! [Check out my previous post on VR](https://blog.chaos.com/best-practices-using-virtual-reality-for-project-presentations-with-enscape?hsLang=en)… everything there applies to this Rhino to Enscape workflow.

## Enscape settings

Clicking the **Enscape Settings** icon gives you access to the various controls which can be used to manipulate the image if needed. The Presets side-panel has a Reset to default option if you need to quickly get back to “square one.” Feel free to play with the settings to see if you find something you like better, as you can always reset.

**TIP:** The default settings are based on the last time Enscape was used… regardless of which project or program you last viewed.

## Save Screenshot to File

Clicking the **Screenshot** icon allows you to save the current composition of the model to a file; PNG is the default format. Be sure to check out the **Output** tab in Visual Settings. You can export any resolution you want. However, higher resolutions take additional time to save the file.

Enscape settings dialog; Capture tab

## Create Standalone Executable

If you want to share an Enscape model, you simply click the **EXE Standalone** icon. This creates a file that contains Enscape and the model! For example, if you send this EXE file to your client or [use it for presentation,](https://blog.chaos.com/best-practice-how-to-use-executables-for-presentation?hsLang=en) they can just double-click on it to open and start navigating the model in real time. They do not need to have Rhino or Enscape installed on their computer.

Read: [How shipbuilding company Damen uses Enscape for Rhino to communicate with clients](https://blog.chaos.com/damen?hsLang=en).

## Rhino light sources

Light sources placed in Rhino are recognized in Enscape as highlighted in the next two images.

Here is a nighttime image in Enscape to highlight the effect of the electric [light source in Rhino](https://blog.chaos.com/interior-lighting-in-rhino?hsLang=en):

All the [Rhino materials](https://enscape3d.com/community/blog/knowledgebase/materials-in-rhino/)are automatically used in Enscape. Any materials containing the word “grass” will get the **3D grass effect** applied within Enscape as shown in the image below.

When an element’s material is changed in Rhino, the open Enscape scene is updated automatically.

The result of changing the glass material, shown above in Rhino, can be seen in the Enscape view below.

The next image has all the glass changed and the Depth of Field adjusted to make the background a little blurry.

## Conclusion

Whether you are new to [Enscape](https://enscape3d.com/why-enscape/) or have used it with Revit and/or SketchUp, you will benefit from this opportunity to visualize your design in real time by using Enscape for Rhino. 

Enscape is a great tool to use during the design process or in front of a client as a fluid “go where they want” navigable model, static images, [Virtual Reality](https://blog.chaos.com/best-practices-using-virtual-reality-for-project-presentations-with-enscape?hsLang=en)or via a [Google Cardboard viewer.](https://enscape3d.com/community/blog/knowledgebase/panorama-cardboard/) This really is an “easy button” that you have to try yourself to believe; click below to download the trial today:

[![Try Enscape For Free](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6852391/556afe23-a454-4330-b36d-1d63a9b07e42.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6852391/556afe23-a454-4330-b36d-1d63a9b07e42)  
<https://enscape3d.com/trial-14/?Itm_source=blog&itm_medium=text-link&itm_campaign=rhino>

### Ready to try Chaos products?

Start your free trial today and explore all features.

[Start Free Trial](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial)

Share

<https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.chaos.com/real-time-rendering-and-virtual-reality-with-rhino&title=How%20to%20use%20Enscape%20in%20Rhino.%20How%20to%20add%20Enscape%20to%20Rhino&picture=https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/6852391/Rhino%20Image%20in%20Enscape.jpg&description=Learn%20how%20to%20open%20and%20use%20Enscape%20in%20Rhino%20for%20real-time%20rendering%20and%20virtual%20reality.%20Basic%20tips%20to%20get%20started%20quickly.>

<https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.chaos.com/real-time-rendering-and-virtual-reality-with-rhino&hashtags=>

<https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.chaos.com/real-time-rendering-and-virtual-reality-with-rhino&title=How%20to%20use%20Enscape%20in%20Rhino.%20How%20to%20add%20Enscape%20to%20Rhino&summary=Learn%20how%20to%20open%20and%20use%20Enscape%20in%20Rhino%20for%20real-time%20rendering%20and%20virtual%20reality.%20Basic%20tips%20to%20get%20started%20quickly.>

[mailto:?subject=How%20to%20use%20Enscape%20in%20Rhino.%20How%20to%20add%20Enscape%20to%20Rhino&body=How%20to%20use%20Enscape%20in%20Rhino.%20How%20to%20add%20Enscape%20to%20Rhino%20https://blog.chaos.com/real-time-rendering-and-virtual-reality-with-rhino](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20use%20Enscape%20in%20Rhino.%20How%20to%20add%20Enscape%20to%20Rhino&body=How%20to%20use%20Enscape%20in%20Rhino.%20How%20to%20add%20Enscape%20to%20Rhino%20https://blog.chaos.com/real-time-rendering-and-virtual-reality-with-rhino)

[Enscape Tips](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/enscape-tips) [Real-Time Rendering](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/real-time-rendering) [Rhino](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/rhino)

Dan Stine

Dan is an author, blogger, educator, design technologist and Wisconsin-registered architect. He is the Director of Design Technology at Lake | Flato architects in San Antonio, Texas. Connect with Dan on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/danstinemn/).

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/danstinemn/> [bimchapters.blogspot.com](https://bimchapters.blogspot.com/)

## Related Articles

### [September 29, 2026 From idea to editable model: Veras adds GPT-6 Astra & Claude Opus 5.5 Anna Markova  •  4 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/veras-adds-gpt-6-astra-and-claude-opus-5.5?hsLang=en)

### [September 28, 2026 What 3D Software Should Architecture Students Learn First? A Career-Honest Answer Ana Savova  •  11 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/best-3d-software-architecture-students?hsLang=en)

### [September 23, 2026 Rendering, Visualization, and Illustration in Architecture: What Each Term Actually Means Teodora Mircheva  •  8 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/rendering-vs-visualization-vs-illustration-architecture?hsLang=en)

[Visit the blog for more articles](https://blog.chaos.com)

## Subscribe to Our Blog

 Get the best tips and articles delivered straight to your inbox!

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Learn all about the latest news, company updates and recommended content, cherry-picked for you.

<https://www.chaos.com/>

<https://www.chaos.com/enscape> <https://www.chaos.com/vray> <https://www.chaos.com/corona> <https://www.chaos.com/veras>

Chaos

- [About us](https://www.chaos.com/about)
- [Blog](https://blog.chaos.com)
- [Press](https://www.chaos.com/press)
- [Careers](https://www.chaos.com/careers)
- [Events](https://www.chaos.com/events)
- [Contact us](https://www.chaos.com/contact-us)

Purchasing

- [Buy online](https://www.chaos.com/pricing)
- [Find a reseller](https://www.chaos.com/pricing/resellers)
- [Upgrade options](https://www.chaos.com/upgrade)
- [Manage your products](https://my.chaos.com/products)
- [Download your software](https://download.chaos.com/)
- [Refund policy](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402140621457-Do-you-offer-refunds-What-is-your-refund-policy)
- [Help with purchasing](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/sections/360005717237-Purchasing)
- [Become a reseller](https://www.chaos.com/become-partner)

Support

- [Resources](https://academy.chaos.com/catalog)
- [Get support](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003671518-FAQ)
- [Service status](https://status.chaos.com/)
- [Help docs](https://docs.chaos.com/)
- [Forums](https://www.chaos.com/forums)

Passion projects

- [CGconnect](https://cgconnect.chaos.com/)
- [CG Garage podcast](https://www.chaos.com/cg-garage)

Technology

- [Real-time rendering](https://www.chaos.com/real-time-rendering)
- [3D rendering](https://www.chaos.com/3d-rendering-software)
- [GPU rendering](https://www.chaos.com/vray-gpu)
- [Fluid dynamics simulation](https://www.chaos.com/fluid-dynamics-software)
- [Cloud rendering](https://www.chaos.com/cloud-rendering)
- [Photorealistic rendering](https://www.chaos.com/photorealistic-rendering)
- [Innovation Lab](https://www.chaos.com/innovation-lab)
- [Virtual production](https://www.chaos.com/virtual-production)
- [Responsible AI](https://www.chaos.com/responsible-ai)

Follow us

- <https://www.chaos.com/social-channels#facebook>
- <https://www.chaos.com/social-channels#instagram>
- <https://www.chaos.com/social-channels#youtube>
- <https://www.chaos.com/social-channels#linkedin>

© 2026 Chaos Software EOOD. All Rights reserved. Chaos®, V-Ray® and Phoenix FD® are registered trademarks of Chaos Software EOOD in Bulgaria and/or other countries.

- [Terms of use](https://www.chaos.com/terms)
- [Privacy policy](https://www.chaos.com/privacy)
- [Legal](https://www.chaos.com/legal)
- [Sitemap](https://www.chaos.com/sitemap)
- Cookie-Einstellungen

- English

    - [Deutsch](https://blog.chaos.com/de/real-time-rendering-und-virtuelle-realitaet-mit-rhino)
    - [Français](https://blog.chaos.com/fr/rendu-en-temps-reel-et-realite-virtuelle-avec-rhino)
    - [Italiano](https://blog.chaos.com/it/rendering-in-tempo-reale-e-realta-virtuale-con-rhino)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Dan Stine",
    "url" : "https://blog.chaos.com/author/dan-stine"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-05-28T16:23:50.747Z",
  "datePublished" : "2020-05-01T19:04:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "How to use Enscape in Rhino. How to add Enscape to Rhino",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.chaos.com/hubfs/Rhino%20Image%20in%20Enscape.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.chaos.com/real-time-rendering-and-virtual-reality-with-rhino",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.chaos.com/hubfs/Chaos_Icon_Colour_RGB.png"
    },
    "name" : "Chaos Software GmbH"
  }
}
```