Robert,

There are a few parametric modelers that are in common use, SolidWorks, Pro Engineer, Unigraphics (now Siemens). I only have SolidWorks myself, and it seems SolidWorks files are generally well accepted. I would hesitate to call any one application the standard though.

I really like that FormZ can work equally well with meshes and nurbs surfaces, and I miss that in SolidWorks.

Thanks Chris, just to clarify, what your saying is that the SolidWorks native format is considered a standard format? What file type extension does it use?

Just out of curiosity, did you get a chance to play with the new formZ sub division tools in version 8? If so what did you think of them?

Thanks again for your reply!

Robert,

Yes, SolidWorks is a standard format for parametric/history based CAD but there are a few others including ProE and Unigraphics/Siemens.
Extensions are SLDPRT (part file), SLDASM (assembly file, references part files), SLDDRW (drawing file)

These programs are common for engineering and some product applications.

Chris:
” the control mesh and edge/vertex weighting will be lost. However, the object won't change shape”
Outstanding – thats all I needed to know. I will get that plug-in. Thanks for the tip Chris

RobertH:
Thanks for the links.
So far with FormZ Im very impressed by it. The UI doesn't feel as intuitive as MoI does though. However the time spent for the learning might be worth it, you have certainly made alot of great arguments for it and the software hasn't shown anything that would speak against what you say. Im still leaning back and forth here between Rhino and FormZ, still need some more experience in both software's to be able to take a mature decision.

You're quite right, there are alot of videos showing the different features, which is awesome. I would however love to see one where the modeler actually goes through a longer and perhaps more complex modeling task to really understand the capabilities. Do you know of any?

Nikola:
Thanks alot for taking the time and sharing your experiences and your workflow. Very informative for me. I checked out your stuff, and really like your designs, especially ”E futureOn”-concept, strong design.

Regarding Blender: I have to say that I really like Blender. And even more I like how they decided to create and open source free software. I think this will boost alot of users to develop the software together as a community which will most certainly lead to something amazing in the future (if not already). If I would have known about Blender earlier I probably would have chosen it as my sub-d modeler, however I already bought my license for MODO and also Im very interested in following the development of Meshfusion as an exploratory design tool, so I think I will stick to MODO. Thanks alot anyway for showing me the videos on it.

Hi

Sorry for the late reply, I've been away...

Here are some videos you may like:

Note that in the models/modeling that are shown in the videos, have anti-alias turned off and the display resolution is set to simple medium. This can be easily changed and you get a much higher resolution display, (if your hardware can handle it of course, I have absolutely no problem on my system). And you can switch between these at any time.

bonzai3d - Designing a sleek aerodynamic land sailer (bonzai3d is an older subset of formZ)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ5FoZPQlF4

Discover form•Z: Creating contemporary 3D forms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LTD-k2VB-E

Subdivision modeling and 3D Printing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNucQ83__w

Discover form•Z 2 parts: parametric modeling in a modern fluid interface
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdVm0dSn6mY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBuSkTdxgpg

build a house in 30 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n0FGm3kw2I

bonzai3d - Valencia Opera House (bonzai3d is an older subset of formZ)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bvkIC5NmO8

Fabricating a Lattice Structure with form•Z
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N9SupPkbFU

Hey
Thanks again Robert! Looking forward to go through these :)

10 minutes Car blocking out.

Thanks for the video Andrei. I've always wanted to model a car - now I have the tools to attempt it. But it will have to be a car of my own design, so no one can say it doesn't look like a Porsche :)

After forming the body in NVil I'll use MoI for the wheels, lights, trim pieces, ect.

In MoI, I should be able to project curves onto the body and make NURBs headlight lenses for example. Not sure which smaller components are best to make in sub-D and which are best for MoI.

Ed Ferguson

And this one :)
For those who like to make details in MoI.

Hey blindfoldjump,

I found a tutorial for creating a dune buggy in formZ that I thought you might find interesting:

ftp://ftp.formz.com/pub/formz/PDF_files/tutorials/version_8/dune_buggy.pdf


These are pretty cool too:

ftp://ftp.formz.com/pub/formz/PDF_files/tutorials/version_8/bicycle_wheel.pdf

ftp://ftp.formz.com/pub/formz/PDF_files/tutorials/version_8/shells.pdf



BTW what did you think of the videos?

Thanks Robert!

"BTW what did you think of the videos?"

Well so far everything seems great about FormZ. Im currently taking a break from my vehicle designs, working on some real-life projects to pay the bills :)
When I get back I will purchase MoI (my trial finished a couple of weeks back) also I will take a decision on what other software to purchase, FormZ is certainly on top of the list, the videos youve provided are helping a ton.

I will start posting on this forum when my designs are getting somewhere, showing the progress and also asking about the problems I will (most certainly) run into :)
Thanks again Robert!

Best
Niklas

Hi Niklas,

I've had FormZ for a couple of years now. I purchased it because I couldn't get SketchUp to easily create watertight models for my 3D printer. FormZ, like MoI is a solids modeler and it's a big difference.

I ended up taking a hard look at MoI just a few months ago based on another user who's work I admire.

While I agree about much that has been said regarding MoI not being able to be a full auto modeling package, I have to say, it does pretty well.

Here's a render of a model I completed in a few days, which is going into a video and magazine on future transportation. It's the first time I had to really push MoI to get it to do some things, but for the very most part, I'm happy.



I tried creating the canopy/body in a SubD program, but it looked to 'soft', then I tried in SketchUp and no matter what I did I couldn't get it right. So I created all of the compound surfaces, top, sides, left, right, and bottom, and then trimmed them with each other. And then I used the blend tool to connect everything up. Worked out pretty good.

chippwalters, "I tried creating the canopy/body in a SubD program, but it looked to 'soft', then I tried in SketchUp and no matter what I did I couldn't get it right."
Looks like you just jumping from one app to another trying to compensate your lack of skills. And the reason is not because apps is not good but looks like your skills are not enough. That stuff could be made and with subD(very easy) and with sketchUP(harder).

WTF, Andrei, show some respect, please.

Guilherme,
What we are doing here? Give compliments to each over? Or talking about things?

Man said he can not do it in SubD and Sketch UP, but in MoI he could. So what it is? Nothing then lack of skills. And so I have to say, something like -
OH... MoI is great, briliant software that is allow us to make things that is impossible to make in SubD or Sketch UP? This is I have to say?

Here a lot of people even have no enough skills to discus this or that software, but they know fore sure what is good and what is bad.
So better than jumping from one package to another try to polish your skills in something one. And do not make dilettantish statements like in SubD something looks - Soft.

Wow, Andrei; bad day?
You are a brilliant modeler; and I can imagine a time not long ago - before Nvil - that you would have happily showed us how to model something like that using your loft method, some blends, and a flow or two.
People experiment in this field and everyone finds something that fits them. I think Chip was just celebrating a success with MoI. Nothing wrong with that.
And Max's subD scripts are a welcome addition. Nothing wrong with that either.
Model on, dude!

Hello Guilherme,

Considering the source of a critique is usually more important than the critique itself. Andrei pushes polys around making fantasy objects, he's not a designer. Andrei doesn't even understand basic concepts like continuity, put in that context does it really matter what he says about another individuals skill set? It's like hearing a drunk guy at the ball game cussing everyone out, does anyone really take what he's saying about their mothers seriously? :)

Ronamodeler,
Not a bad day just said what I thought. Some times here people say nothing useful but stay polite. For Cheap would be better to learn one of that software instead of use a lot of them without knowing them and made superficial judgment. I was not going to abuse him just said what I thought.

OSTexo I'm not designer? But who I am? This is may day work. You know who are designer?

May be you think that designer is guy that is know all technical nuances in nurbs modelling?
I know a lot of Real Designers who use 3D very rare, they instead draw by hands but they design real things for product design, or they are not designers? they do not use continuity concept :D.
I even do not talking about Concept Art because looks like for you it is not a design just some child fantasy. But you know that practically all Concept Artists draw by hands? Ah... forget they are not designers, they do not know about continuity :D

OSTexo I remember when you talk with some guy here that modeled car and you said that design was cool and after that you are consider your self as designer? That car was cheap second hand from Lamborghini, any car designer will notice it. Pleas do not confuse people Designer and 3D modeler is not the same thing. You can be perfect 3D Modeler but awful Designer and vice versa. Any time you want to catch me it looks like cheap attempt, do not waist your time.

Hello OSTexo,

Usualy this is a friendly forum, but from time to time, Andrei's posts sound - to me - very harsh, maybe its me as English is not my primary language, as also is Andrei, so i keep ignoring.

Hello Andrei,

Will you like if someones says something like that about your work? Will it help improving your work? Don't think so. If you don't agreed with something you could ignore, and move on.

Actualy i really like Chipp's work, and i'm glad he belong to Moi community.

So, its up to Michael to keep this forum a healthy place.

Peace.

Carlos

Hi Guilherme,
I accept any constructive critics. What is wrong with this? I learn from critics a lot.

I did not say that Cheap work is bad, where I said it?
Instead it looks like very nice Concept!
I talked about the other things. I talked about skills and workflows.