Bonzai 2.0 released

jeff hammond · 11 Feb 2010, 05:59

if 5 years ago i had to compare su and bonzai ..
i think i'd of learned bonzai.. i wish there was a way of knowing what would happen if i new both apps equally well.. i wonder which one i'd prefer to work in.

i agree with tf.. maybe an apple specific version would make me commit (and a tablet app with decent navigation and ability measure,take notes etc )

Mike Lucey · 11 Feb 2010, 10:39

@unknownuser said:

if 5 years ago i had to compare su and bonzai ..
i think i'd of learned bonzai.. i wish there was a way of knowing what would happen if i new both apps equally well.. i wonder which one i'd prefer to work in.

i agree with tf.. maybe an apple specific version would make me commit (and a tablet app with decent navigation and ability measure,take notes etc )

Mmmmmm, that is a good question Jeff..... 'If you knew then what you know now!'. However SketchUp on its launch filled a huge gap in the CAD market and is still doing this and I imagine will continue to so so for many newbies.

I still think SketchUp is very true to the original 'pencil and napkin' concept for idea generation and it seems even with V7 this is still the case as the GUI is still much the same as it was with V1. SU users will adopt other apps but I think SketchUp will still remain a favoured application for that quick idea generation.

tfdesign · 11 Feb 2010, 11:38

I'm sorry that I am asking you this question on the SU forum, rather than the Bonzai forum (I just don't want to join yet another forum yet!).

I can't import SAT or DWG data into Bonzai3D. I've tried both SAT v13 and v19, both with no effect at all. I was exporting from ViaCAD 2D/3D. I checked with importing into SpaceClaim, and exporting works fine there (both SAT and DWG), which says that there isn't anything wrong with VC's export function.

Any suggestions? (I haven't tried SKP files yet).

Mike Lucey · 11 Feb 2010, 13:03

@tfdesign said:

I'm sorry that I am asking you this question on the SU forum, rather than the Bonzai forum (I just don't want to join yet another forum yet!).

Tom,

SketchUcation is more than just a SketchUp Forum. I would like to think that we are open to discussing all kinds and types of applications. To limit discussions just to SketchUp would be a mistake in my opinion. The advantage of using a totally independent forum like SketchUcation is that a user will never have to worry about saying exactly what is on their mind. Heck, even SketchUp has been 'cussed' on this forum on many occasions and that is the way it should be if its justifiable.

Mike

bonzai3d support · 11 Feb 2010, 14:21

Jeff and Mike,

We have heard from a lot of new users to bonzai3d how easy it is to use (and how powerful it can be). I would guess that if someone knew neither bonzai3d or SketchUp, that they would probably have an equally easy time learning either program.

Of course, since bonzai3d is not a SketchUp Clone, if you are already familiar with SketchUp, then it may take a moment to become familiar with the ways that bonzai3d works. But I am willing to bet that if you give bonzai3d a serious try, you will find that the (rather small) learning curve is definitely worth the benefits that it brings. You can see many of bonzai3d's features here:

301 Moved Permanently

(www.formz.com)

We have created quite a few Tutorial Videos that should make getting started quite easy, and you can find these directly in bonzai3d via the Help Menu: Tutorial Videos command, or you can find them here on our web site:

301 Moved Permanently

(www.formz.com)

(As noted above, if you want it to "navigate like SketchUp" -- go to Edit: Preferences: Load Defaults: and select Preset 2.)

Tom,

Sorry to hear that you are having trouble with a specific file. Please zip and send this file (in both DWG and SAT format) to support@bonzai3d.com so we can find a solution for you.

dedmin · 11 Feb 2010, 15:07

How about a some kind of BOM? Is there a way to export the objects data - such as name, size, material? And tool like FredoScale - to stretch group of objects?

xrok1 · 11 Feb 2010, 18:13

would be nice if the unfold tool was added to bonzai

also the grid snap doesn't seem to work as expected, it only seems to be active after you've started to draw. it would be nice if it would snap the tool (ie. rectangle tool) so one could begin drawing properly aligned to the grid.

and another question: once the renderosity demo expires, what render capabilities are left? are sketch and doodle left are are these renderosity as well.

bonzai3d support · 11 Feb 2010, 19:41

Dedmin,

Thanks for your suggestions, we will see what we can do to add these.

Rocky,

The Unfold tool is a tool that is reserved for formZ. (As you may know, formZ will soon be receiving the interface overhaul that we have given to bonzai3d -- and it will include many "even more advanced" tools than what bonzai3d currently has.)

The Grid Snap should affect the starting of a drawing (with a rectangle, vector line, etc) and it does in our tests. If you check this again, are you sure that this is not working properly for you?

If you compare your current Reference Plane grid settings (as shown on the top in the image below) is this set to be an integer multiple of the grid snap settings (shown at the bottom) that you are using?

(If you do not have the modules of your plane grid and grid snap aligned, then it may appear that it is not affecting the starting point.)

(If you do indeed have a case where this is not working properly for you, please email us a more detailed description of the problem, and attach a BNZ.zip file (to support@bonzai3d.com ) in which you are able to reproduce this so we can look into this further. )

The RenderZone Trial Plugin does not expire. Its only limitations are the watermark, and the resolution limit.

Sketch Rendering is based on the RenderZone rendering, and as such will have the same two limitations as described above.

Doodle actually produces vector information which is based on the Wireframe or Hidden Line display. You can display this at whatever resolution you like, regardless of whether or not you choose to add the RenderZone plugin.

xrok1 · 11 Feb 2010, 20:05

i guess the grid snap confused me a bit because there is no visual reference (highlighting possible snaps as one passes over them) and the grid setting is set to 5 divisions (2'), but the snaps are set to 1' ???. why don't the grid snaps show up on the grid (possibly ghosted) or just use the grid settings to snap to? i don't see the need for both. but thanks for the response.

bonzai3d support · 11 Feb 2010, 20:12

Rocky,

It is easy to align the reference plane grid and the grid snaps, but it is not required. For example, I frequently work with my grid snap set anywhere between 1/8" - 6" -- but typically keep a 12" or 24" reference plane grid.

(This way I can quickly work to create the size objects I want without completely overloading the screen with all the reference plane grid lines...)

xrok1 · 11 Feb 2010, 21:19

fair enough, thanks for the explaination.

can we possibly get a vague hint on the timeframe for the next formz release? i really love the bonzai interface, but am also intrigued by formz's extra features.

bonzai3d support · 11 Feb 2010, 21:31

Rocky,

Our current estimate for formZ 7 is sometime this summer.

pilou · 11 Feb 2010, 22:53

What happend after the Bonzaï trial time?

tfdesign · 12 Feb 2010, 11:30

@mike lucey said:

SketchUcation is more than just a SketchUp Forum. I would like to think that we are open to discussing all kinds and types of applications. To limit discussions just to SketchUp would be a mistake in my opinion. The advantage of using a totally independent forum like SketchUcation is that a user will never have to worry about saying exactly what is on their mind. Heck, even SketchUp has been 'cussed' on this forum on many occasions and that is the way it should be if its justifiable.

Mike, we must get together for a pint or two sometime!

tfdesign · 12 Feb 2010, 12:26

@dedmin said:

How about a some kind of BOM?

[flash=425,344:wgsogdnk]http://www.youtube.com/v/SXn2QVipK2o&hl=en_GB&fs=1&[/flash:wgsogdnk]

Why is it that whenever I see the word BOM, I think of Inspector Clouseau?!

Apart from that, very good suggestion dedmin

Mike Lucey · 12 Feb 2010, 13:03

@tfdesign said:

Mike, we must get together for a pint or two sometime! [/quote]

.... or three or four!

tfdesign · 12 Feb 2010, 13:21

Yes! Two steaks for me, two for you too!

You know what though, I don't know what is a longer distance away, From Birmingham to Ireland, or the Journey from Birmingham to Hollyhead, North Wales! As for that ferry too?

better make that 6 pints!

bonzai3d support · 12 Feb 2010, 20:33

Tom (tfdesign),

Yes, and Yes.

The next major update for formZ (version 7) will include most of the interface improvements that bonzai3d has, making it easier and faster to use. Thus learning bonzai3d now can be a stepping point towards learning formZ 7.

(You may also find that bonzai3d is powerful enough that it meets your needs!)

Complete Cocoa implementation is in the works, and will be available soon.

EDIT -- bonzai3d is a already a COCOA application -- sorry for this error.