In brief
- QuadRemesh creates a quad mesh with optimized topology from surfaces, meshes, and SubD objects.
- Target Quad Count targets an approximate face count regardless of scale; Target Edge Length targets an approximate edge length based on scale.
- Guide curves must be projected onto the input object to direct quad flow.
- A quad mesh can be converted to SubD using Convert to SubD in QuadRemesh or the ToSubD command.
The QuadRemesh command in Rhino 8 creates an editable quad mesh from existing surfaces, meshes, or SubD objects. It can generate topology for uses such as rendering, animation, CFD, FEA, and reverse engineering. The steps below focus on setting mesh density and flow, then converting the result to a SubD surface.
1. Choose the input geometry and goal
Before running QuadRemesh, decide which object to remesh and what to prioritize in the output: an approximate face count or an approximate edge length. The command works with surfaces, meshes, and SubD objects. You can find QuadRemesh under SubD / Mesh > Edit Tools > Quad Remesh.
Target Edge Length and Target Quad Count use different criteria. Edge length depends on the object’s scale; as the object gets larger, the same setting may produce more faces. If the target value is too large relative to the object, remeshing may fail. The face-count target is scale-independent: it aims for a similar number of faces on the same input at different scales.
| Setting | Suggested value | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Target Edge Length | Desired approximate edge length | Scale-dependent; affects edge length and face density. |
| Target Quad Count | Desired approximate face count | Targets a similar face count even when scale changes. |
| Adaptive Size | 0 for fewer, similarly sized faces; 100 for more detail in areas of high curvature | Higher values produce smaller faces in areas of high curvature. |
| Use Surface Edges | Usually Smart | Preserves polysurface or extrusion face boundaries; the algorithm may discard boundaries it considers insignificant. |
| Detect Hard Edges | On or off as needed | Adds a hard-edge loop where the angle between adjacent faces is greater than 30 degrees. |
2. Set face density and detail
Adaptive Size affects how face count and face size are distributed across the model. A value of 0 aims for the fewest quads with more uniform sizes. Above 30, control over low face counts decreases. As the value increases, smaller quads are created in areas of high curvature; 100 preserves more detail.
Don’t assume one value will work for every model. Try lower values for a simpler face layout and higher values when you need to preserve detail in areas with substantial curvature. Use the Preview before deciding on the result. It updates as you change settings and displays the average edge length and face count.
If the input object has a dense wireframe, the preview may not be visible. In that case, enable Hide Input Objects to hide the input object. When the output is ready, check the Delete Input Objects setting; it determines whether the source objects are deleted after remeshing.
3. Direct quad flow with boundaries and curves
If you need to preserve face boundaries on a polysurface or extrusion, consider the Use Surface Edges options. Off ignores face boundaries. Smart preserves them except where the algorithm considers them insignificant and is generally recommended in the documentation. Strict preserves all face boundaries.
Symmetrical objects can be remeshed symmetrically along the X, Y, or Z axes when the correct center plane is selected. You can select more than one axis; the feature is useful only for symmetrical objects and when the appropriate plane is specified.
Guide curves can direct quad edge loops or rings. For the curves to take effect, they must be projected onto the input object. Curve Influence settings determine how strongly the curves affect the result:
Use Approximate to affect only the general quad flow; its influence is weak.
Consider Create Edge Ring to create edge rings perpendicular to the curve direction. The rings may not follow the curves exactly.
Use Create Edge Loop when you need edge loops placed along the curves; this has the strongest influence of the guide-curve options.
4. Convert the quad mesh to SubD
To convert the QuadRemesh result to SubD in the same operation, use Convert to SubD. The resulting surface is smoothed, and hard edges are preserved where possible. If you want edges added with Detect Hard Edges to remain sharp in SubD, use SubD Creases. The SubD corners option transfers corner points from the quad mesh as SubD corners.
Alternatively, use the ToSubD command. It converts supported mesh, extrusion, surface, and polysurface types to SubD objects; the documented menu path is SubD > From Object. For mesh input, the UseMesh option determines whether mesh vertices become SubD control points or SubD points. The MeshCreases option in ToSubD controls whether unwelded edges in the source mesh are converted to creased edges. MeshCorners determines whether a boundary corner of a quad mesh face is creased or smooth.
Use DeleteInput to decide whether to retain the source geometry before conversion. Trims on surfaces or polysurfaces are not transferred to SubD. Faces within a polysurface are converted individually; non-manifold mesh edges and their associated faces are removed. Because of these limitations, it’s important to inspect the result after conversion.
What does this offer for architectural and visualization workflows?
QuadRemesh can help organize mesh topology for an architectural form intended for rendering or animation, and prepare quad-based geometry for reverse-engineering work. On curved surfaces, Adaptive Size affects where detail is concentrated. Guide curves can be used to direct edge flow in a specific area.
The tool does not automatically guarantee ideal topology for every model. Keep in mind that the target edge length depends on the object’s scale, while the face-count target is scale-independent. Rhino 8 documentation does not specify licensing or hardware requirements, so no additional assumptions about these should be made in the workflow. If the output will be used as SubD, pay particular attention to trim loss, the removal of non-manifold edges, and whether source objects are set to be deleted.
Common mistakes
Using Target Edge Length when you need a scale-independent face count, or vice versa.
Setting Target Edge Length too large relative to the object and causing remeshing to fail.
Expecting guide curves to affect the result without projecting them onto the input object.
Overlooking that a dense wireframe may hide the preview, and not trying Hide Input Objects in that case.
Failing to account for the possible loss of trims or removal of non-manifold mesh parts when converting to SubD.
Sources
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For architecture and visualization firms in Turkey, the practical value of QuadRemesh lies in its ability to generate manageable quad topology from a complex form and carry that geometry into SubD. Teams looking to control face density and flow direction can make their workflow more predictable by testing settings against the target model.
Still, don’t expect a perfect result from a single setting: scale, guide-curve projection, and hard-edge choices all affect the output. Before conversion, check the option for deleting the source object, as well as the limitations around trims and non-manifold geometry. Since the documentation provides no hardware or licensing information, it would be unwise to make purchasing or performance assumptions on those points.
Frequently asked questions
Which objects does Rhino 8 QuadRemesh work with?
QuadRemesh can create a quad mesh from existing surfaces, meshes, and SubD objects.
What is the difference between Target Edge Length and Target Quad Count?
Target Edge Length sets an approximate edge length based on scale. Target Quad Count targets an approximate face count regardless of scale.
How can I convert a QuadRemesh result to SubD in Rhino?
Use Convert to SubD in QuadRemesh or run the ToSubD command.
