Hi Ambimind, that was really cool when SpaceClaim added in copy/paste support for MoI.

I mentioned to them that it would not be difficult to add in since they already had 3DM support, and it was just a chunk of 3DM data on the clipboard, and they added support for it in the next version that was out just soon after that.

- Michael

And there are a couple of things that make that SpaceClaim edit boxes much less distracting - one big thing is having them positioned as more connected to some geometry in the model rather than trying to have stuff float around with the mouse.

Boxes that float around with every single twitch of the mouse just has such excessive motion.

- Michael

Cool, thank you, its very useful and efficient; the curves are not interpolated(as happens with AI export) and respect relative placement in each scene! - I only wish this was possible in the reverse. Actually, I had been wondering if you'd also advised them on their temporary-reference-geometry system - which is very powerful and similar to yours(perhaps it was diffusion-by-inspiration :) )?

Hi Ambimind,

> Actually, I had been wondering if you'd also advised them on
> their temporary-reference-geometry system

No, not by any direct contact, but it would not be surprising if they got some inspiration from MoI.

MoI's construction lines being based on 2 points (where you start the mouse drag and where you release it) also defines a distance to the cline which gives a lot more functionality than the more typical system that only radiates lines out from a single point.

- Michael

Yes indeed, after using them in MOI I unconsciously began drawing them in other apps - with no success :)

Spaceclaim's system works on selection of 1 or more entities, where the selection is not limited to one entity type - and produces reference points, lines, planes and curves; in 2d and 3d mode. Both systems have the big advantage that you don't need to manage these myriad entities. However Spaceclaim still lacks your innovative snapping system: I love how intelligent the inference system is, particularly in regard to mid points of lines, circles and quandrants that persist beyond the initial sketching phase(in any view) and that the various possibilities(eg. intersections,perpendicular connections, etc) have dynamic local representations in the form of suttle crosses.

There are a number of innovations of this type, the reference system included, which I think you deserve recognition for, in the form of patents - much as the early Alias|Wavefront marking menu system did.

http://www.123dapp.com
new version : 11 pages of news ;)
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDED0C10D98114902 videos of news

If your using this stuff as a hobbyist and not for commercial work, you may as well sign up to Autodesk's educational program. Then you can get the full versions of all their software free. with no limitation apart from watermarks on Inventor and Revit's 2D technical drawing output (and a dire warning on start up about what will happen to you if you use the products for commercial work).

Fusion is included as part of the Inventor Pro package.

If you want to explore the ultimate in free form A-Class surface Nurbs modelling, try Alias Design. However the learning curve is almost vertical and the UI is worse than the original Blender. Trying Alias will probably convince you that MoI is better suited to what you want to do, unless you design car bodies for a living or need G3 continuity in everything. The Alias Design series is a good example of why Michael's approach to having simplified commands is important

However, for those looking for a free renderer for MoI, Max and Maya include Mental Ray and will import models from MoI.

http://www.123dnews.com/123dnews/beta7-is-here.html ;)
http://www.youtube.com/user/123d (4 videos about news)

Thanks Pilou...

Peace,
Rich_Art. ;-)

Just a quick comment on sketches. As far as I know, all parametric Cad modellers require you to create sketches on a 2D plane. This plane however can be aligned as you like. The reason is that they are parametric. You can go back and edit sketch 1 and the changes ripples through the model. Yes, Solidworks and Inventor have 3D sketches as well, but these are used for something different than creating basic shapes (they are for things like extrusion paths). The idea of sketch planes is something you have to get used to if you want to do any CAD modelling.

MoI has this facility, if you want to use it, in the form of workplanes, so you can draw curves and other objects "off axis". However, it is not parametric, so you can't go back and change it later.

new version Beta 9 of 20 March 2012 has a preview STL exporter , texture etc...
http://123dapp.com/123d
News of the beata 9: http://blog.123dapp.com/files/page/123d/WhatsNew123DBeta9.pdf

You must be loged for the STL Export!

video of news not yet released
so a recent

Thanks for the heads up.

Peace,
Rich_Art. ;-)

Congratulation for Autodesk. People now directly produce the rubbish and waste of plastic. I do not understand why is it useful to print useless toys at home after some months your child put in the bin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkpBcFDjk7Y&feature=related

That soapbox you just jumped on is more waste than a kids toy......

Autodesk products are just green only when you paint the objects on Green. :D

Wow... What can I say? Except the title of this thread now has a dual meaning for me!

At last the video of news beta 9

Looks cool.

Peace,
Rich_Art. ;-)

The mesh dialogue looks very familiar.

-