I've been waiting for some time. The couple of sneak previews I had only made me even more curious. And finally, on June 5th, 2009, AutoDesSys officially released bonzai3d.
formZ is not anymore the single child (with polymorphic incarnations) of Alexandra and Chris Yessios' company. From now on, formZ has a little brother. It's called bonzai3d.
bonzai3d being based on a powerful geometric engine, creates 3D models described by exact geometry
How is bonzai3d different from its older and more popular brother? bonzai3d is a sort of Google SketchUp without the limitations of the polygonal geometry. While SketchUp can create "good looking" 3D models and pictures, its geometry is mostly useless and can't be passed down to the manufacturing or construction processes or reused in a professional CAD system. bonzai3d however, being based on a powerful geometric engine, effortless creates 3D models described by exact geometry that can be successfully used in all the processes that follow the conceptual design.
bonzai3d doesn't have any ambition to compete with formZ, but rather to provide a valuable support for conceptual design while complementing existing design systems thanks to very good import/export capabilities.
Why not to try bonzai3d by downloading the trial version (Mac or Win)? Try bonzai3d now and let me know your impressions!
Franco Folini
Video Introduction to bonzai3d UI
Well, for starters, you can buy this terrific new 3D modeler here from Novedge and save $50.00. Secondly, The problem with Sketchup Pro is that is not a True Solid Modeler. And this means if try to import Sketchup files into other solid and parametric 3D modeling and rendering programs the result is more times then not, poor geometric Solids and many professional that I know say the imported geometry is a complete mess. Conversely, BonZai 3D is a True Solid / Surface modeler and with great NURBS tools for surfacing as well as really nice OpenGL support. Of course, ADS has just released is maiden BonZai 3D 1.0 program. I think in near future that ADS will add to BonZai a first class rendering engine. If you are going to use Sketchup pro for 3D Models and then import in to AutoCAD for 2D construction Docs, then I am sure it is O.K. The problem lies with other more capable Solid/Surface molders that are on the market. Also, from what I read on Sketchups forum is that Google does not seem to be in any hurry to release more powerful features in Sketchup Pro. So, stating the above, do you still feel that Bonzai 3D will not sell well? I simply disagree.
Posted by: Dan | July 03, 2009 at 02:11 PM
B3 looks really great (I have yet to download the deno), but I'm quite worried how it will survive at its current asking price of $500 or so, considering that the 'basic' version of SketchUp is free to download- and the Pro SU version also being cheaper than B3. That coupled with that mind blowing DD parametric plug-in for SU, I really don't see how B3 is going to compete :?
Posted by: Tom | July 01, 2009 at 04:12 AM