Archiforma vs. Zoom GDL vs. ?

[Anonymous]

I just got an opportunity to build parts of a robot that will be used as illustratrations in the instruction manual. The parts (and the tools to assemble them) are somewhat organically shaped, so I am considering purchasing either Archiforma or Zoom GDL to get the job done.

Has anyone worked with both of these apps? I'm looking for comments on the power vs. useability of the programs, or other suggestions.

I was able to use Archiforma in demo mode and found it very easy to learn, but fear that some of the more complex parts may look a little too rectilinear. The attached file shows a pair of pliers I whipped up in an hour using Archiforma, slabs and a lot of SEO. I'd like them to look less blocky - do I just need more practice or is this as good as it gets with Archiforma.

[Dwight]

Zoom GDL can graphically create COONS surfaces - what you need for those organic varied doubly-curved surfaces. It is a spartan interface but it allows for point-by-point editing of the NURBly bits...

I think it vastly superior to Archiforma for extremes of non-geometric modeling.

But "Zoom" is anything but zoomy. The non-geometric environment is a frustrating one. I'd be showing the turtle, not the hare, in my logo. Can you post an image of your most difficult piece? Perhaps this assignment isn't as flakey as you think....

[Fabrizio Diodati]

"Zoom GDL can graphically create COONS surfaces - what you need for those organic varied doubly-curved surfaces. It is a spartan interface but it allows for point-by-point editing of the NURBly bits...

I think it vastly superior to Archiforma for extremes of non-geometric modeling."


For the very first time... I don't agree with you!
Are you sure you already tried ArchiForma 2.0?

The following image shows something of similar created in not more than 15 seconds...


Friendly
Fabrizio

[Anonymous]

Long long time ago there was zoom 5.61 and that is first time that i start to u se that program cos i see that archicad will never be real modeling program. Then, after some time Cigraph relise Archiforma. At first stage Archiforma was funny comparing zoom 56.1. Abvent,after some time just change the name of zoom 5.61 to zoom gdl 2.1 for us archicad users but they didnt put anything new in program (maybe something little) but all the time Archiforma was growing and growing and now u can create a lot of stuff there easily

Archiforma is using archicad eviroment, zoom gdl is alone standing program, so u dont depant on archicad.

If u ever created 3d element in autocad, 3ds, or what ever Archiforma will not look good to u. Zoom gdl will look much better and i must tell u this, if u a realy pro u will get someting else. WhY? Cos zoom is old and can be buggy at my system but in all my life i created anthing i want in zoom, and Archiforma for me is not solution yet cos it depend on ac and ac is terrible when u have to work with 3d. But man, i survive the war and man can get use of anything, believe me so do u


If i have to choose,zoom gld vs Archiforma, i will choose zoom gdl
if i can get any other modeling program i will get it

This image i created with zoom 5.61 and artlantis i think 3.5, at that time i was able to this only in zoom


Necko From Sarajevo

[Dwight]

Dear Fabrizio:

With all due respect for you and your team's hard work in Archiforma, I observe that while the skin you created to emulate my Zoom skin is similar in form, is it not true that you cannot edit each surface spline or node individually?

I admit that in practical terms, when a model isn't right from the beginning, doing the whole part over again is probably a safer course of action than to start pulling on nodes, but the strength of free-form modeling is just that - editing anything: anywhere, anytime. This is also an invitation to the blues as this type of modeling can get out of hand. Bolt your display down securely before starting with Zoom.

Zoom creates an active node at every polygonal mesh intersection allowing for finished form not derivative of the two originating polylines. ArchiForma - correct me if I am wrong - can only control the skin by editing the edge polylines......

I believe that most, if not all form we need in ArchiCAD can be created in ArchiForma - a fine product that I use all of the time - especially when making things that need to be tilted - a real time saver. But when modeling elements to be seen up close that must be photographically accurate, a NURBS modeler is appropriate.

With some analytical study of the object to be modeled, ArchiForma can make a fine approximation, but is limited in more extreme, non-geometric situations.

So in this case, the two-mints-in-one approach doesn't work - you need both modelers - ArchiForma for quick things in ArchiCAD and Zoom for sinuous, plastic, multi-curved, infinitely-editable surfaces.

[Fabrizio Diodati]

" is it not true that you cannot edit each surface spline or node individually?"


Partially true!
You can still edit any node (by graphically dragging it) used for the 4 curves definition.
More nodes you will use more editing issues...

Friendly
Fabrizio

[Dwight]

So your skins are edited from the polyline edges that originally define the surface, but no intermediate points.

This would mean that a user couldn't make little bumps on the surface of the skin, say, unless it was associated with the edge somehow.

This is the reason I said what I did.

[Karl Ottenstein]

I would encourage people to at least try the ArchiForma 2.0 demo, which is a significant jump over the previous version. In particular, almost everything is editable by editable hotspots in a very visual way. As an example, if you extrude a profile along a path (as I recall), you can edit the hotspots of the path or the profile and have the result change. It isn't like Profiler where you have to start over again.

Simple extrusions (slabify) can have rounded top or bottom (or both) edges ... with the radius specified either in a dialog or by editable hotspots as you view the object in context in 3D (or in a special 2D edit mode).

Etc.

Karl

[Anonymous]

I haven't been given pictures of the parts yet, but some of the tools that need to be modeled are drill bits, utility knife, metal cutters etc. I will also want to build cushy-looking furniture and sinks, for e.g., in the future.

BTW, I used Archiforma V. 1.81 as the demo - it was the only one they offederd; if V.2 is much better, then that may be the ticket.

[Anonymous]

ArchiForma is limited.

Haven't tried ZoomGDL.

From your explanations I think you'll need a real 3D modelling aplication like 3dsMAX or Maya.

Forget ArchiCAD and AutoCAd too!