*Yawn* Alternatives to SketchUp
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Kwist, I volunteered the two applications in answer to the original thread question for the sake of comparrison because of some very obvious simmilarities for the purpose of his paper, rather than as serious alternatives at this stage.
In fact our approach is simmilar - I use Rhino in conjunction with Sketchup and use it as a rendering platform for VRAY when I need it. A notable additional aspect of Rhino is that it offers fairly good CAD functionality on top of the modelling power it provides. (Although I would not use it if I was doing CAD production as my central activity, it is a very viable AutoCAD replacement for generating CAD data during the design stages.) There is also a BIM plugin system for Rhino coming on stream and Rhino is directly supported by Paracloud.
An under-reported fact about Rhino is that many of the functions have the same names and params as in AutoCAD, making a transition easier than one might expect. (Loads of differences too but many simmilarities.)
-Anyway we digress from the topic of the thread.
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Ok, getting back closer to the subject.
@tim danaher said:
The question is apps that work like SketchUp.
To be honest, I don't have the feeling that there are real alternatives to SU.
3DVIA and Bonzai clearly aim to be Sketchup, although I doubt they have the same quality.
Concerning Bonzai, I think it is too soon to comment though as it is not out yet. But the fact that it derives from FormZ does not really give me the feeling that it will be as intuitive as SU is.I think the best real alternative for the moment, in terms of really being able to put it in a workflow, would be Spaceclaim.
Very Sketchup like, more modeling capability than SU (Nurbs), but just a little less intuitive and less focused on architecture I think.
@Tim, It is worth downloading the Spaceclaim trial version so you can judge for yourself. -
bonzai3d beta released...
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@kwistenbiebel said:
@Tim, It is worth downloading the Spaceclaim trial version so you can judge for yourself.
Judging from the videos, spaceclaim seems to be a very intuitive modeller. perhaps a good alternative to skp. there is plenty of tutorials too. the company seems to be of the "difficult" kind: no pricing on their site (they direct you to a vendor site). and it is windows only which is something that does not make any sense these days.
however, whenever i check another software and compare it to skp one thing comes to mind immediately: no app has a support base as sketchup. i do not mean the official google support, which is not bad either, but the forums, the script developers, the written user guides, the companion apps, etc. somehow i feel that, should i move from skp to any other modeller, i would feel like someone on a scarcely populated island.
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Downloading Bonzai 3D, lets see if Sketchup has some competition
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Bonzai's out? This I must see!!!
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The download is very slooow.
They should make some mirror downloads. -
^^^^^^^
Agreed. Maybe their server is getting hammered?
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Well i download it, looks a lot like Sketchup. Was having all sorts of display problems because i had other programs running, once i quit the its a bit better. Finding the interface a bit awkward, i think that is why i did not like FormZ
Need to explore a bit more ...
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Gaaah...
D/L time has swollen to 3hrs, 47 min.
I vote we start a new thread to post observations.
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...
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I think Autodesk has taken some cues from Spaceclaim:
http://www.inventorfusion.com/ -
Google watch out!
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For a modest mid figure 4 digit dollar amount (not including training or subscription), it can be yours.
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nothing really comparable because more complex and thus diffcult to use but even though maybe interesting too:
Punch! ViaCAD f. OSX/Win (> U$ 100.-) : more CAD related w/o rendering stuff but w/ NURBS faces and volumes, bools, features & feature editing, history tree, model 2 sheet, 2D drafting, all common CAD interfaces, space mouse support, SU import and intelligent snaps as well as refering construction lines, upgrade path to more powerful product line. btw, formerly licencsed by IMSI for TurboCAD versions on Mac platform.
AutoDesSys Form•Z f. OSX/Win : mesh based editor incl. rendering
hth,
Norbert -
@plot-paris said:
but there are some things that look pretty impressive. when I look at certain 'reshape' tools, like the 'round-edges', the 'twist' or the 'bend function...
can be done w/ ViaCAD (ACIS kernel) w/o any probs too (and more)... but w/o any crashes.
jm2c,
Norb. -
@chango70 said:
I am looking forward to SU8 even more now.
...in 1 or 2 years?!?this had to be in skp7 after this long time - either with sub-d or nurbs...
@plot-paris said:
...are they using some sort of auto-subdivide or are all objects built of NURBS?
...yes nurbs at work
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its like Google bought SK just because they could!?
i'm sure @Last would have been miles ahead by now
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Well, except they wouldn't because @Last probably would have just sold it to the next highest bidder. I think they needed the financial support. If Autodesk or any of the other big players had bought SU, I doubt we would have ever have seen Sketchup again, there certainly wouldn't be a free version.
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@linea said:
Well, except they wouldn't because @Last probably would have just sold it to the next highest bidder. I think they needed the financial support. If Autodesk or any of the other big players had bought SU, I doubt we would have ever have seen Sketchup again, there certainly wouldn't be a free version.
You are right. In that perspective , Google isn't that bad. At least Sketchup is still alive (sort of).
I do miss the @last era though. having a Jim Holman around, listening to the users needs.
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