Please have a laptop x mouse. If you have another screen to take the zoom class, it will be much easier for you to have a full-screen for your Rhino.
Duration: 4 Sessions (Live via Zoom)
Time: 2 hours per session
Format: Online, small-group instruction
Skill Level: Beginners welcome—no prior Rhino or 3D experience necessary
Tuition: $450
Tools Needed: Laptop or desktop computer (Rhino installed), preferably with a 3-button mouse
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will:
Understand the Rhino 3D interface and key modeling tools
Learn to navigate and create 2D and 3D geometry in Rhino
Model a base plate and insole board using a digital last
Design custom heel and wedge components suitable for 3D printing
Understand key considerations for digital design in footwear
Gain insight into real-world prototyping, printing, and attachment methods
Leave with a fully modeled heel design and the skills to iterate further
Schedule at a Glance
Session 1: Introduction to Rhino
Rhino interface walkthrough
Setting up units and presets for footwear
Drawing curves, lines, and 2D shapes
Intro to solid modeling: extrude, revolve, loft, Boolean operations
Q&A and basic practice exercises
Session 2: Base Plate Design
Using a 3D last as your base
Modeling a base plate and mock insole board
Step-by-step modeling of a simple heel
Comparing multiple methods (revolve, loft, sweep)
Live demo + student build time
Session 3: Basic Heel Design
Intro to more advanced Rhino tools
Building off your base plate for modularity and customization
Tips for modeling symmetry and refining surfaces
Optional homework: finish one sculpted heel for review
Session 4: Complex Heel & Wedge Forms + Design for 3D Printing & Final Critique
Designing sculptural wedges or unique heel shapes
Considerations for 3D printing: file types, tolerances, material behavior
Finishing techniques: sanding, painting, plating, reinforcing
Strategies for attaching heel to uppers/outsoles
Workshop time: students share screens and refine their designs
Final tips, resources, and how to keep practicing beyond class
Materials & Tools Required
Computer with Rhino 7 or 8 installed (trial version is fine)
3-button mouse highly recommended (vs. trackpad)
Internet connection + Zoom account
Instructor will provide access to:
Shared 3D last model (7cm heel height, almond toe)
Reference images and example files
Instructor
Julianne is a multidisciplinary creative technologist with a background in fashion, computer science, and industrial design. With degrees from Georgia Tech (BS Computer Science) and FIT (Footwear & Accessories Design), she specializes in merging traditional craft with cutting-edge technology. Her work spans 3D modeling, footwear innovation, AI, and additive manufacturing.