> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rhinoartisan.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rhinoartisan.com/ai-loom/loom-on-rhinoartisan/setting-up-your-environment.md).

# Setting Up Your Environment

Before you can start using Co-designer inside RhinoArtisan, you must connect your RhinoArtisan installation with the **Connect** platform.\
Connect is the service that enables Co-designer and the AI-powered features included in your RhinoArtisan subscription.

The setup process involves three steps:

1. Creating your Connect account
2. Generating your Connect Key
3. Integrating the Connect Key inside RhinoArtisan

Below you will find the full process in detail.

### 1. Creating your Connect account

1. Visit the Connect platform:\
   <https://connect.rhinoartisan.com/>
2. Create a new account, or log in if you already have one.
3. Your Connect account is required to activate:
   * Co-designer
   * AI agents included in your subscription
   * Future cloud-based services
4. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to generate your **Connect Key**.

### 2. Generating the Connect Key

1. Inside **Connect**, click the **user profile icon** in the upper-right corner.

<figure><img src="/files/W5mvhVr9mcQbgE5NwroZ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Select **Profile** from the dropdown menu.

<figure><img src="/files/59YnO9oIABqaY1S4iHQm" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. In your profile page, locate the **Connect Key** section.
4. Click to generate a new key.

<figure><img src="/files/Hxvke2UveNUeEtDxS7w0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. The system will ask you for a **name**. You can choose any name you like - it's only for your own reference. For example: *RhinoArtisan*.

<figure><img src="/files/5bJnIyrbGQ8xd3u4jZ5y" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. Copy the generated code and keep it ready—you will paste it into RhinoArtisan in the next step.

<figure><img src="/files/FotsfUEHI4qjtxXy4HpV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
This key identifies you and allows Connect to recognise your RhinoArtisan installation.\
Without this key, Co-designer and the AI services cannot function.
{% endhint %}

### 3. Integrating Connect with RhinoArtisan

1. Open **RhinoArtisan**.
2. Go to the **File** menu.
3. Click **Settings** to access plugin options.

<figure><img src="/files/080e527SRCvg0dtdmCOf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Are you using RhinoArtisan in Rhino?** If you're a Rhino user, simply go to the File menu > Properties, or open it directly from Rhino’s main toolbar.
{% endhint %}

4. In the sidebar, select **Artisan.**

<figure><img src="/files/VgK2ebYLswKS8EcVUeBG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Open the **Integrations** section.  Keep in mind that this is a sub-item inside the RhinoArtisan options.

<figure><img src="/files/ouJSyBjitXc8vn785p3N" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. Paste the **Connect API Key** you generated in Connect.

<figure><img src="/files/gI4oCBXv4jVSgBcVn8ln" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. Click on **OK** button.

<figure><img src="/files/RRzmDkxIMZFjexnv8EmB" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Once the key is added, RhinoArtisan will automatically connect to the cloud services that power Co-designer and the AI engine. Your environment is now ready. Simply close and reopen RhinoArtisan (or Rhino) to ensure the changes are fully applied.


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