Install

RhinoArtisan for Mac installs as a Rhino package (a .yak file), the format Rhino uses for its own plug-ins. There is no separate installer to run.

1. Download

Sign in to your account and open the RhinoArtisan for Mac card. It lists one package for each Rhino version: download the one for the Rhino you use (Rhino 8 or Rhino 9). Each package shows its version, size, release date and release notes.

2. Install

Double-click the .yak file, or drag it onto the Rhino for Mac window. Rhino installs it in its packages folder.

Quit and reopen Rhino if the Artisan toolbars do not appear straight away. RhinoArtisan loads with Rhino from then on.

3. Connect your account

Run ArtisanLicense in Rhino’s command line. Your browser opens rhinoartisan.com; confirm Connect RhinoArtisan and go back to Rhino. Nothing to type, no key to copy. License and seats explains the details and what to do if the browser cannot reach Rhino.

Until the account is connected, a RhinoArtisan command or panel asks Do you want to activate your license now? Answer yes and it does the same as ArtisanLicense. Settings and updates stay available.

Updates

RhinoArtisan for Mac keeps itself up to date from inside Rhino. You do not need to visit the website or download packages by hand.

Automatic checks

Once Rhino has finished starting, RhinoArtisan checks for a new version, and again every 24 hours while Rhino stays open. It only asks for the package that matches your Rhino (Rhino 8 or Rhino 9).

When there is a new version, the update window opens with its release notes:

• Update now downloads it. The download shows its progress and can be cancelled.
• Later closes the window. A package already downloaded is kept, so next time it goes straight to Ready to install.
• Skip this version stops offering that version. The next one will be offered as usual.

Install an update

When the download is ready, the window says Ready to install. Save your work and click Install and restart:

1. RhinoArtisan checks that the package is exactly the one published, by size and checksum, and installs it with Rhino’s own package tools.
2. Rhino quits normally, asking to save any open document, and opens again with the new version loaded.

If Rhino cannot reopen by itself, the command line says so: quit and reopen Rhino to load the update.

Known issue in your version

Now and then a version ships with a problem we have to fix. When that happens, the update window says Known issue in your version and offers the version we recommend instead, even if it is older. Skip this version never silences this warning.

Check now

Run ArtisanUpdate, or click Update on the Artisan toolbar, to check at any time. It works even when the license is not active, so you can always get a fixed version.

The latest package is also on your account page, with its release notes.

Beta versions expire

Each beta version of RhinoArtisan for Mac works until a set date; the current one stops on 20 January 2027. From 14 days before, Rhino’s command line reminds you of the date. After it, commands and panels say that the beta has expired and offer to open the update window. Install the newer version and everything works again. Your files are not affected.

Uninstall

RhinoArtisan is removed like any Rhino package: run PackageManager, find rhinoartisan among the installed packages and uninstall it, then restart Rhino. Your settings, presets and libraries in the user folder are not deleted.