Full Version: Michael's Plasticity rants

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Message 11865.77 was deleted

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Hi Michael, how are you? Hope everything’s going well for you :)

I haven’t been hanging around the MoI forum for a while, so I’ve clearly missed quite a few things. But what really caught my attention was this strange thread I didn’t know about and that made me wonder a bit, the one titled “Michael’s Plasticity rants.”

First of all, just to be clear, I am not a Plasticity user.

So my question is, Michael: why a thread like that? Let me explain what I mean. Over all these years, you’ve always maintained a very clear and consistent approach on this forum, staying 100% focused on MoI and on your users.

Because of that, I’m honestly wondering what the purpose of a thread about Plasticity is, here in a space that’s dedicated to MoI. And above all, why you felt the need to speak (obviously for reasons you consider valid) so negatively about that software. I mean… in the end, why should you care about that software at all? If it’s poorly written, that’s the problem of whoever wrote it and whoever chooses to use it, right?

Maybe I’m missing something. Sorry if this sounds blunt, but ever since I saw the title of that thread, I’ve been wondering why something like this would come from such a serious professional like you. You really don’t need to speak badly about a so-called “competitor” to MoI.

Thanks, and I’ll also take the opportunity to wish you happy holidays :)

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A number of reasons were provided in this thread:

20 Dec.
>Plasticity is the only one that started out by blatantly plagiarizing my work.

22 Dec.
>Well it's in an area that I find particularly irritating - I don't like it when I see poorly designed UX being praised. And especially when it is being marketed as good UX.

23 Dec.
>If you're going to copy my stuff, why not do a proper job of it?

25 Dec.
>I guess I should explain that the original thing that pissed me off enough to start this thread was someone posting links to Plasticity advertising affiliate coupon codes after having been warned not to do that.

FWIW, I really wish that this thread had existed when I was first researching Plasticity --- I'd've bought MOI instead --- will finally be making that purchase once I've got PayPal funds lined up .

As far as marketing goes, I've always thought that the video which Naomi Wu did was a great start, and am saddened for many reasons that that was not followed up on --- that said, I did watch (and plan to re-watch) the YouTube series: Tom Meeks - 3D design for fun and life / Noun and Verb method --- perhaps an updated version of that could be done for v5?

Or just put out a video noting that if you find Blender difficulty to use, Plasticity will be too and to instead try MOI?

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@Will - yeah clearly my dislike of social media other than this forum has left a big marketing opening for copycats.

I guess I've finally figured out that I can at the very least make use of my own forum for some social media marketing.

The main function of the forum is for providing technical assistance to users. That aspect works best without arguments and flame wars, etc... so that's why it is a shock for some to see a combative attitude from me here. Usually I put a lot of effort into dampening that.

I will try to keep such things isolated into their own threads, I think that should work fine.

Thanks, - Michael

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Hi Michael, greetings :)

I read the reply from the user @Will to my question, which was addressed to you :) regarding the reason for the existence of the thread “Michael’s Plasticity rants.”

I would like to thank @Will for the explanation. However, since I hadn’t followed the history of that thread from the beginning, I was curious about why it existed—especially knowing that this style of communication is absolutely not in line with your very professional approach, which you have always maintained on this forum dedicated to Moi users.

I believe I now understand the reason for that thread, and I 100% agree with what @Will wrote in his reply when he said (I believe quoting one of your messages):
"I guess I should explain that the original thing that pissed me off enough to start this thread was someone posting links to Plasticity advertising affiliate coupon codes after having been warned not to do that.""

I also believe it is extremely frustrating and disrespectful when some people use the space of this forum to promote other products, especially when those products may even be direct competitors to Moi.

I’m not familiar with the software “Plasticity,” but from what I’ve read, it seems to be simply a very poor, poorly made copy of Moi :)

I don’t know if that is entirely accurate, but in any case, I can understand your irritation toward that software.

Best regards, and all the best :)

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Someone posted a while ago a modern UI for Moi...and to me it looked nice...
for existing user it does not make a difference...all I want is speed...for new user..I think its a plus.
Now..
Moi with...
Xnurbs
Polymodeling like Rhino
Materials

Someone mentioned the managing of the scripts...I think this is a good idea...sometimes I forget what I have installed and need to go thru the list...and cannot find it lol.
For instance...
Plasticity you can add your most used items to favorites
3dcoat spacebar I think it was you press it and you can set your most used commands
Nvil3d you can set your special commands on the side...
to me Nvil does it better

The way I have Moi3d setup it runs like a dream..I use it for everything lol....but do I need Rhino...not really but I do want it ..yes ...for the plug ins or certain features.
What makes Moi special is the scripts the were created for a specific user case.

Image Attachments:
nvil.jpg 

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I have and like both Moi3d and Plasticity - and rarely use both of them. I almost always need to change things later on and that isn‘t easy for both programs - most of the time it is easier to restart from scratch than trying to change an existing design.
A 3d constraint system might be most fitting for history free direct modellers - something along the lines of what Solid Edge does in Synchronous Mode. Imho the first application that gets a proper implementation of 3d constraints done wins the competition :)

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Message 11865.84 was deleted

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> I almost always need to change things later on and that isn‘t easy for both programs - most of the time it is easier to restart from scratch than trying to change an existing design.

> A 3d constraint system might be most fitting for history free direct modellers

I think these two comments introduce a very worthwhile topic, probably worthy of a separate thread.

I use MoI exclusively for my mechanical designs and drawings but have long thought that some type of strategy and discipline is necessary in order to build a model that is amenable to modification. It is one thing to be able to get it to look good, but another level of challenge to be able to adjust relationships and dimensions as a project evolves lest the model quickly devolve into a muddle. MoI is so danged handy that I find myself using it for everything from simple sketches of parts to architecture & all of those endeavors benefit from being able to evolve the model to try out "what ifs" or adjust to new information. Perhaps a constraint system is part of a solution, I don't have any experience to offer. I do suspect that Michael may have some thoughts about how MoI could evolve to address this mutability aspect of 3D CAD.

> something along the lines of what Solid Edge does in Synchronous Mode. Imho the first application that gets a proper implementation of 3d constraints done wins the competition :)

A good natured challenge!

--Larry

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I hate all the Internet hype of Plasticity with the affiliated links everywhere. That's a warning sign my experience tells me.

Anyway since Nick Kallen has copied almost everything from Moi why not do the opposite and take whatever few good inventions he made and make them better and integrated in Moi if it makes sense :-).

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