Overview
form•Z jr’s simple, smart, and fun interface reveals unexpected capabilities and tools that complement and enhance creativity. Embedded tutorial videos facilitate the learning at one’s own pace and without the need for expensive training sessions. Intuitive tools include descriptive step-by-step guides and interface hints for a productive workflow. |
INTERACTIVE DISPLAY The form•Z interactive display takes advantage of modern OpenGL capabilities. This is most noticeable in Shaded Full display mode with real time ambient occlusion, bump mapping, soft shadows and multi sampling features. |
REFERENCE FILES Reference Files are simply data from one project displayed inside another project. Reference files allow for complex static data to be maintained in external files and supports collaboration where files can be shared between team members as a design evolves. |
SCRIPTING Python scripts in form•Z are an easy way to extend the functionality of form•Z to add your own utilities or create a custom design design tools. Most of the form•Z functionality is available to a form•Z python script. |
SUBDIVISION TOOLS Shaping and sculpting of subdivision surfaces with simple, easy to use controls. Subdivisions are useful for tensile structures; organic surfaces ranging from exotic roofs to character meshes, these tools make form•Z a versatile modeling tool. |
NURBS TOOLS A comprehensive suite of NURBS tools combines unprecedented ease of use and power. The NURBS analysis features aid in the evaluation and refinement of your design. |
PARAMETRIC GENERATION Fully parametric and dynamic generation of 3D forms that can be further manipulated at any time after their initial generation. |
3D PRINTING The internal water tight modeling representation used by form•Z means that form•Z models are ready for 3D printing. Models can be directly exported to industry standard formats for transfer to any 3D printer, CNC or milling process. |
COMPONENTS Components make it easy to reuse and share frequently used content. Components can be embedded in the form•Z project or stored externally in directory of project files. Components can be easily be created and modified in form•Z. A library of entourage components is provided. |
MATERIALS form•Z includes an extensive library of materials that are ready to use. The Materials editor allows you to create your own materials and materials groups. |
DYNAMIC INTERFACE The form•Z intelligent interface senses what you intend to do and protects you from unwanted actions. This includes automatic picking and automatic guides that assist you in drawing accurately. |
RESHAPING The Reshape and offset tools capitalizes on real time Boolean operations to offer sculpting actions that produce robust solid models from interactive actions. |
DYNAMIC CLIPPING PLANES Dynamic clipping planes Dynamic clipping planes allow for non-destructive cutting of models. This real-time dynamic interface allows for complete inspection of a design. |
VR - AUGMENT form•Z Includes an interface for the Augment reality app. With Augment, you can visualize your form•Z models in real world settings, at real size, in real time on OS X and Android mobile devices. Click Here for more details. |
VR - SKETCHFAB Sketchfab a Free platform to publish, view and find 3D models online. With the form•Z an interface for Sketchfab you can upload your textured models directly to the Sketchfab community. Click Here for more details. |
Download and test formZ before you make your purchasing decision.
I sat on the fence between Bonzai and Sketchup Pro for quite a while. After using Sketchup (free) for many years, I was on the hunt for something more. I took a look at basically every 3D modeling program available for Mac, and quickly eliminated most of them based on price and ease of use. I'm by no means a professional and was looking for software that didn't cost and arm and a leg, and that didn't take training to figure out.
In the end, and after extensively using demos and beta versions, I chose Bonzai, and with a few exceptions I'm happy with the decision. Here's why:
Bonzai is fast, capable, and dare I say it, fun. To get the inevitable comparison with Sketchup over with - there is none. Bonzai has more muscle. When Sketchup's bag of tricks is exhausted, Bonzai is just getting warmed up. The fact that Bonzai is a solids modeler puts it firmly in a different class.
At first the Bonzai interface seems awkward - most tools have additional modifier settings that affect the behavior of the tool. However, after making it along the learning curve, the way they've designed the interface makes sense, and allows faster modeling. For rectilinear modeling (e.g. millwork), you can model basically as fast as you can think about what you're modeling.
In a more general sense Bonzai takes an approach to modeling which I find "neat". Not very objective I know, but suffice to say that I find modeling in it more pleasant than other programs I tried. Also, everything you do has dynamic feedback on the screen. This makes Bonzai way easier to use than some other programs. For example, I own another modeling/CAD program which, in theory, can do everything Bonzai can do and more, but I find it so frustrating than I've basically given up.
Bonzai also seems to have enough depth to it that I can't see myself outgrowing it for a long time.
Now the down sides: If you want to produce more than neat looking pictures, you will need a CAD program to export to. Although Bonzai does ...
This is a very good 3D system! I'm trying to learn it or find my ways around it. II will consider getting a full license.
Thanks!
Quanderyously: I have been reviewing 3d apps for six months. I think I've tried them all. I bought Sketchup Pro, and I hate it! So far Bonzai, Cinema 3d, and e-On (e-crash-On and On) have the best "Mac" feel. Though there's no comparing the three, I have a pressing illustration project to illustrate and I think I'll go Bonzai because I can get up to speed quicker . . . It's super for that reason, the UI makes sense. What I don't like is that Bonzai doesn't package with a renderer, and If I get it's companion Render Zone, I'm talking the price of a much higher-end app. I don't like Form-Z or I would go that route. I almost bought each one based on its description but after using the trials for hours, and still not being able to make two boxes line up, I gave up in disbelief of how UIs could be so rediculous!
I sat on the fence between Bonzai and Sketchup Pro for quite a while. After using Sketchup (free) for many years, I was on the hunt for something more. I took a look at basically every 3D modeling program available for Mac, and quickly eliminated most of them based on price and ease of use. I'm by no means a professional and was looking for software that didn't cost and arm and a leg, and that didn't take training to figure out.
In the end, and after extensively using demos and beta versions, I chose Bonzai, and with a few exceptions I'm happy with the decision. Here's why:
Bonzai is fast, capable, and dare I say it, fun. To get the inevitable comparison with Sketchup over with - there is none. Bonzai has more muscle. When Sketchup's bag of tricks is exhausted, Bonzai is just getting warmed up. The fact that Bonzai is a solids modeler puts it firmly in a different class.
At first the Bonzai interface seems awkward - most tools have additional modifier settings that affect the behavior of the tool. However, after making it along the learning curve, the way they've designed the interface makes sense, and allows faster modeling. For rectilinear modeling (e.g. millwork), you can model basically as fast as you can think about what you're modeling.
In a more general sense Bonzai takes an approach to modeling which I find "neat". Not very objective I know, but suffice to say that I find modeling in it more pleasant than other programs I tried. Also, everything you do has dynamic feedback on the screen. This makes Bonzai way easier to use than some other programs. For example, I own another modeling/CAD program which, in theory, can do everything Bonzai can do and more, but I find it so frustrating than I've basically given up.
Bonzai also seems to have enough depth to it that I can't see myself outgrowing it for a long time.
Now the down sides: If you want to produce more than neat looking pictures, you will need a CAD program to export to. Although Bonzai does ...
This is a very good 3D system! I'm trying to learn it or find my ways around it. II will consider getting a full license.
Thanks!
Quanderyously: I have been reviewing 3d apps for six months. I think I've tried them all. I bought Sketchup Pro, and I hate it! So far Bonzai, Cinema 3d, and e-On (e-crash-On and On) have the best "Mac" feel. Though there's no comparing the three, I have a pressing illustration project to illustrate and I think I'll go Bonzai because I can get up to speed quicker . . . It's super for that reason, the UI makes sense. What I don't like is that Bonzai doesn't package with a renderer, and If I get it's companion Render Zone, I'm talking the price of a much higher-end app. I don't like Form-Z or I would go that route. I almost bought each one based on its description but after using the trials for hours, and still not being able to make two boxes line up, I gave up in disbelief of how UIs could be so rediculous!
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