One of the dangers of approaching the 8th decade of life is that one can be easily sidetracked by memories.

That is exactly my fate as I began pondering the MANY ways Michael Gibson helps new users learning 3D design with his unique interface.

My thoughts turned to my first attempt to learning 3D design several decades ago. And, that also involved a product that Michael originally designed... Rhino.

I didn't do very well learning Rhino and put it on a shelf where it remained these many years.

As I looked back, I pondered how I found MOI3D so easy to learn and Rhino so difficult. So I decided to install Rhino for a quick look back.

I had to dust it off. But, fortunately, I still had the box and original CD for that product... Rhino 1.1. The big problem was finding a computer that was old enough for me to load it! It would not install in my working computer.

It largely comes down to Michael's abandoning the standard Windows interface and taking a chance on designing a unique palette system that more clearly presents the tools we use to create 3D objects. But, it also come down on the many small context sensitive helps that show up as we work. The step-by-step directions were missing in Rhino, as were the object snap visual clues.

I, for one, am thankful that Michael decided to take the chance to move away from the "safe" Windows interface, which is doubly surprising given his work for Microsoft and MSN before creating MOI3D.

It's been fun to look back at a bit of history. But, I sure am happy that Rhino wasn't my only experience with a product designed by Michael. :)

Tom Meeks

Hey Tom, enjoy the walk!

A key quote i always remember from Michael is “i want to fix and avoid all the mistakes i made with Rhino”

Thinking about what that means, can get deep.

Personal user
Developer
Support
Company
Etc…. Etc……..

Using my own experience and imagination, i open Rhino, then create my own answers to all of the possible “fixes and avoidances”.

I’m sure that “non pertinent questions from Burr” was pretty high on the avoidance list! Lol

Also pretty sure that “Tom Meeks as a customer” was at the top of the “ToDo” list.

The great thing about MOI3D is that it's so easy to show others how to begin and still so broad that even after using it for years there are still wonderful surprises to discover!

I have so many heroes that I admire and appreciate among MOI3D users as I browse the forums.

I recently ran across a tutorial on a "SolidWorks Practice" channel that explains how to create a baseball using MOI3D! It's interesting that MOI3D was used and not Solidworks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZeS3Yrqc0

And, at some point, I just have to try some scripting to take advantage of that gift from Michael and the community as well.

Tom

Thanks Tom, i'm glad that I was able to make something that works better for you and the kids that you have helped! :)

Rhino 1.1 is 23 years ago, it's strange to think that so much time has passed.

- Michael

"Rhino 1.1 is 23 years ago, it's strange to think that so much time has passed."

What is interesting to me is that I have not kept any of the install disks of the other 3D applications I tried.

In fact, I can't even remember the name of most.

For some reason, in more than 20 years, I never discarded the Rhino software. There has to be some significance in that because I certainly didn't know you were going to create MOI3D. Perhaps I felt that it had the functionality I needed even if I found it difficult to learn and thought I would come back to it later.

But, coming back to it later makes me appreciate your latest creation all the more. It's such a joy to teach and to use.

Tom

Hi Tom,

What you say here is great, I find it fantastic to teach. All of the students get a buzz out of it, both young and not so young!

I had a student a while ago that said "this is fantastic, it's like a computer game with a purpose"

I thought that this statement sums up MoI3d perfectly!

James