[Others]ViaCad?

[Nate Owens]

While there are those who jump from software to software and have their favorite software of the month or week, in today's swiftly escalating CG tech world, it may be prudent to at least look at some of the new arrivals and discuss their merits.

If this willingness to at least investigate new technology and compare notes had in the past fallen prey to criticism, we would all still be avoiding horseless carriages and scooping massive amounts of horse poop from the freeways.

ViaCad vs. Rhino:

I like Rhino. For my uses it has been extremely useful, however there are some aspects of Rhino that may be overkill for my needs. Like most professionals in any field, getting the work done quickly and efficiently is my constant goal.

It will most likely never come to an either-or scenario for me between Rhino and any other application. There are some things in the online pitch about ViaCad that strike me at first glance as interesting, so I will probably download the demo so I can at least find out if it is worth adding to my toolbox. If it saves a nickel of time and effort here and there over a period of time, I think it's well worth the modest price. It may not pan out, but it is the price to pay for staying afloat in the field.

Personally I would want to know if ViaCad can handle lofting and sweeping of complex multi-shapes (something that Rhino does easily). If ViaCad lacks these features and others and if the interface is too awkward, so be it.

[jbshorty]

Originally Posted by Nate Owens

...If this willingness to at least investigate new technology and compare notes had in the past fallen prey to criticism, we would all still be avoiding horseless carriages and scooping massive amounts of horse poop from the freeways...

sounds like perfect subject matter for a Nate Owens original doodle. And if the price of gas goes any higher, it might actually happen!

Let us know your impressions of ViaCAD as you explore it. It seems many people would like to hear more opinions about this software...

shorty

[Nate Owens]

So far my efforts to download their demo have proven futile (maybe the Borg has won?)
I keep getting "mailbox full" when I email them - which I did after not getting any email containing the link to download the demo.

Perhaps success has overwelmed them right at the beginning.

[jbshorty]

i think it took me couple of days before i rec'd the link from them...

[bwtr]

I bought it. Certainly more natural to work with than Rhino. Better to work with than Amapi75.52 for me.
Not as brilliant as MoI, in that apps limited area, but, at this point, I think ViaCAD is about the best I have found that suits me as my "all round" "nerbs app".
I like working with Nerbs. Then simply, now, just taking the files into Carrara6/3D Brush for any extra Vertex/polygon finessing that may be needed.

Going down that track I certainly avoid all the jamb ups I have encounted with Hexagon.

Though I must say a very long learning curve still ahead of me.

[mykyl1966]

It took me a few days this time round to get the download so they may be busier.

I like Viacad so far. Not perfect but what is nowadays. ;). It is still being developed further which we don't know about with Amapi and is certainly cheaper than Rhino.

As stated above nowhere near as natural as Moi but as a Mac user Moi is out the window unless I want to bootcamp it.

Cheers

Mike R

[Inspireology]

Wow this ViaCAD does look interesting. I was very near to buying Amapi 7.52 just so that I had access to an affordable nurbs modeller and had a chance at getting myself on the upgrade stream incase version 8 comes out or it stops being avaliable. If 8 was coming out I would be sold on it as my "but true modeller", but it seems like it might be doomed .

Via CAD is making me think twice as it looks like it will do the job. The interface looks awfully plain though but from the demo it looks really robust and solid. Will keep my eye on it. And for that price it cannot be beat!

[Inspireology]

Bizzarely if you look at this page http://www.punchcad.com/products/Pun...eCompareV1.pdf it mentions a pro version of the application and some other more high end versions consting about $500 and up, but they cannot be found in the website... hmmmm.

[jbshorty]

Originally Posted by Inspireology

Bizzarely if you look at this page http://www.punchcad.com/products/Pun...eCompareV1.pdf it mentions a pro version of the application and some other more high end versions consting about $500 and up, but they cannot be found in the website... hmmmm.

Here is the original link to those products (pre-Punch!)
http://www.csi-concepts.com/newProducts.htm

And the home of it's current owner (Punch!):
http://www.punchcad.com/full_store.html

[Inspireology]

So which version are we paying for? Do we get the full Nurbs features?

[Nate Owens]

I was going to download the demo, but found that it was something like 158 mb!
Are there no other options for downloading this?
I live out in the boonies and my connect speed is ok for most stuff, but this is rediculous.
Just wanted to take a look, but not with that size file.

[mykyl1966]

I think thats because of the video tutorial files they include.

They have been quick to reply to me. I wonder if you ask them, if they would release a version without video to test.

Cheers

Mike R

[transient]

The videos really sell the software. They won't release a naked version, I don't think.

158meg is not a big file by todays standards. Maybe they'll put it on a disk and send it out to you if you ask them nicely?

[Nate Owens]

Originally Posted by transient

The videos really sell the software. They won't release a naked version, I don't think.

158meg is not a big file by todays standards. Maybe they'll put it on a disk and send it out to you if you ask them nicely?

Not a big file except for my backwoods satellite connection.

I think I may wait until I'm at another computer with T1 connect and download it, and copy to my thumbdrive. You are no doubt right about the videos being essential - I sent them an email and suggested that they might break the videos out into separate parts that can be downloaded on demand at their website.

An added bonus of doing so would be the tuts would sell the software (like you can get all the vids and tuts you want on ZBrush just by going to the site without buying anything).

thanks for the feedback and ideas.

[transient]

Actually, I can't see any good reason why they couldn't separate the program from the video tutes.

My install file was 582meg, and the videos use up about 560meg on my drive after install. The program itself can't be that big.

[dooki]

Hey Nate, I thought I posted a thread on Viacad but I guess it didn't go through.

I tried the demo and now own it. Bought it off amazon for $59. Last I saw the current price was $89.

I am a Industrial designer who was raised with Ashlar Vellum and Rhino. VCAD ain't no Rhino but it's a great tool to have in your set. I find Rhino easier to create surface but VCAD can:

- flip 2D/3D with a click.
- Create an ortho drawing sheet with one click.
- Smart snaps an adding dimensions. It's always nice to be able to create dims.
- Some parametric features, radius an edge and change the radius at the later time. Same for length of an extrusion.
- For mechanical stuff this creates boss's, shells, set draft.
- Like Amapi, you can create a profile in 2D mode, lathe in 3D mode, go back in 2D mode and tweak the profile, and then the 3D model with update.
- Yes, you have all the tools (lathe, rule, Gordon, Booleans, punch hole, counter sink. Various pen tools. )
- This app is better with mechanical and less for organic. Rhino can do both of course.
- Knowing that you are familiar with CAD I would say VCAD is a great tool for $90, Even better if you can find it amazon for $59!

-------------
There are 2 bad things that I've noticed.
1. When I move to move a spline in 3D space along the Y axis the spline does not constrain to the one axis. IT moves around.
2. Customer support sucks. I've emailed Punch CAD twice and they do not respond.

Anyway, IMHO.

-Dooki

[Nate Owens]

That's great info, Dooki.

I'm caught up in the holidays, family things, etc. but I will give this a run when things get back to normal.

I appreciate the analysis.

Does it do lofting -- like in Rhino I created two offset concentric circles on same central axis and arrayed them along a curve. When I lofted them I ended up with a corregated hose (kind of like the one from your dryer's exhaust).

Anyway, ViaCad sounds like a good tool.

Happy Hollidays

[jbshorty]

Originally Posted by dooki

...Customer support sucks. I've emailed Punch CAD twice and they do not respond... -Dooki

Good customer support is not a strong point of many software developers. And it is a $59 app after all...

shorty

[dooki]

Hey Nate,

Yes it does lofted (ruled) surfaces. BTW, it really only comes with one main tutorial. You create a goblet.
Anyway, happy holidays to you!

-Dooki

[bwtr]

A big list of movies and other help stuff are on the ViaCAD forum site though. A little quirk, the grid is as a layer. If you want to have a drawing associated/under a grid you can only locate it if it is on a new layer.Click on the hidden line symbol to get a grid see through.