Has anyone tried Formit by AutoDesk instead of SketchUp?

maxhouserocks · 25 Mar 2019, 14:36

Anybody using Formit by AutoDesk instead of SketchUp?

Our office is making a big push to have everything incorporate into a Revit workflow. Some people are basically very interested in removing SketchUp from the process. We use Sketchup for creative design and producing very fast efficient visualization with Lumion.

Id love to hear from anyone who has tried FormIt or is using it in a workflow for 3d visualization.
Also, if you were a SketchUp user, how you think it compares to SketchUp.

Autodesk has obviously attempted to knock off sketchups intuitive interface and ease of use as much as possible and also made it fir into a Revit workflow, which is what is being advertised as the game changer. But does it really compare?

From what i have seen so far, it doesn't look like Formit is truly a replacement for Sketchup, especially considering the 3d Warehouse and all of the extensions available in Sketchup which make it extremely powerful.

Any comments welcome.
Thanks,
Bob

Glenn at home · 25 Mar 2019, 18:45

Yes, I have access to the pro version with my subscription. The desktop version is FAR better than the mobile version imo but at least they have a mobile version. As a seasoned AutoDesk user (since '96) I can honestly say that FormIt has a LONG way to go to honestly ever compete with SU. It's interface is clumsy and not user-friendly at all. Yes it is a good tool to start a massing and then bring into Revit but that's about it. I've seen some great looking models from FormIt but I have also seen some great images from MS Paint users as well. Anything that was done in FormIt could have been in SU in 1/4 or less of the time. To me FormZ is a bigger threat to SU than AutoDesk's FormIt. It is NOT on subscription and has a better tool set than SU has (not counting SU extensions). It has potential but that UI needs some help. It does seem to be able to bring in SU models, for some reason.

maxhouserocks · 25 Mar 2019, 21:09

Thanks Glenn. Are you using Revit for Cd's and visualization or SketchUp for viz, or a combination?

pbacot · 25 Mar 2019, 21:18

@glenn at home said:

time. To me FormZ is a bigger threat to SU than AutoDesk's FormIt. It is NOT on subscription and has a better tool set than SU has (not counting SU extensions). It has potential but that UI needs some help. It does seem to be able to bring in SU models, for some reason.

But FormZ has been around a LONG time. Then they made Bonsai/FormZ Junior. Leads one to wonder if they haven't worked it out yet, when? Just as with SketchUp. Maybe look at that: SU to block out components, FormZ to put it together.

pilou · 25 Mar 2019, 21:56

Only the free one Online
No need to register
Default don't reload SKP file!
Push Pull multiple, Fillets, Booleans...

Radial menus but not tooltip with them (don't understand that! )

Normal Save AXM with historic or not
Export Nurbs (Sat) cool, Axm, OBJ, STL
Only open or import format Axm

Glenn at home · 26 Mar 2019, 17:47

@pbacot said:

But FormZ has been around a LONG time. Then they made Bonsai/FormZ Junior. Leads one to wonder if they haven't worked it out yet, when? Just as with SketchUp. Maybe look at that: SU to block out components, FormZ to put it together.

I'm sorry, I meant that FormIt needs to work on it's UI. FormZ's is not terrible but that old interface could use an update.

Glenn at home · 26 Mar 2019, 17:55

@maxhouserocks said:

Thanks Glenn. Are you using Revit for Cd's and visualization or SketchUp for viz, or a combination?

I only use Revit on BIM files that we get from outside consultants. I primarly use AutoCAD/Arch and SU in a mixture of space planning and small projects that we don't hire out (I work for a University). I just completed a proposal for a new point of sale cabinet for one of the cafeterias. Went from Acad to SU and then to Simlab. I do perform test renders in SU with Ambient Occlusion. The cabinet has to go around a column (reason for rear curved section). It should match existing millwork.