We are working on section analysis and curvature combs for the next release. While Plasticity will never be parametric, the specific example given here (changing the radius of simple holes) is easily done by selecting all the holes you want to change and using the dimension command, which has the = (equals) keyboard shortcut. So you just type "=10mm" for example.
Please add instances, this is something without which it is very difficult to make a complex design with many elements. For example, I want all the bolts or other elements to be tied to one object and when this object changes, all the others change.
I really liked your video about plasticity, it also made me give it an honest try and I ended up buying it after the trial ran out. Here are my 2 cents about parametric vs non parametric modelling: I used to be working as a design engineer and I worked with companies that used inventor (big brother of fusion) and creo elements (professional non parametric engineering CAD, but aimed at engineers, so no complex geometries like in plasticity). During my engineering studies I was only taught parametric modelling and non parametric modelling in creo was completely new to me, but it felt way more natural and as I learned how to use it, I got a lot more done in less time. Especially new models are finished way quicker without parameters, and if you have a little bit more complex models and try to change it with parameters, it often fails, because the structure of your parameters did not account for that specific change you wanted to make and it breaks. So in the end most models have been way more work to finish with parameters, and even if parametric models could shine, because you want to reuse a model, they don't, because the model breaks. And changing a non parametric model isn't as slow or hard as people like to pretend it is, especially if you mastered the tools the program brings with it. In my personal experience parametric modelling never lived up to the claims and non parametric was not as bad as everybody wanted it to be. To be efficient with non parametric you do have to change your approach to modelling, that is for sure, but to me it was worth it. The only reason I went with a parametric program after changing careers was, that I didn't know about a non parametric program that was viable/cheap enough for playing around with models for hobbies, and blender was just to far from what I knew. Fusion has a non parametric mode as well, that is not bad btw. I have not worked long enough with plasticity to give a qualified statement, but I have already changed a lot on downloaded models and it worked very well, missing the sketches might just be a remnant of your "parametric upbringing". The solution you showed to changing hole sizes in a non parametric model was a pretty clunky one, plasticity has many options to grab faces and move them around/change dimensions inside the part, and it worked well for the changes I made in some models. To me parametric design was a very powerful tool for very few niche use cases, that is used way to much. If you have parts that come in tons of slightly different variations, parametric is probably better for you, but if you design stuff from scratch a lot or make rather drastical changes to models, non parametric is probably the better long term option. Right now with all the skills that I have, I would even design a part that would be ideal for parametric design in non parametric first and then come up with a good parametric structure after the geometry is figuered out.
This feels like misinterpreting the intended use case of Plasticity a bit. I don't think it was intended to be a competitor to parametric packages like Fusion, rather it was a way to blend the modelling features of NURBS with the flexibility of something like Blender. It's always been billed as "CAD for artists". I'd definitely still make mechanical models like your dock in a parametric package. But for bashing out concept 3D work or visualisation models Plasticity is more flexible.
Plasticity is a competitor to Rhino and MOI. I don't think he is misinterpreting the use case; rather one doesn't know exactly what type of software one needs until one is confronted with inherent limitations a little too often.
Yes, I am also a user of blender grid modeling, and I prefer the Plasticity of curves to a user of cad and 3d printing or industrial design as a way of reducing my work in blender
Surface modeling in P is still significantly better than F. P unlike Rhino has also fantastic direct modeling abilities making the history not always that needed. The parametric system is great for some basic designs but then moment the design gets to complex it will slow you down too. That’s why I often bake the history and create static models which will be easier to adjust.
Thanks for your wonderful insight about Plasticity compared to Fusion. Fusion is great as it combines both parametric CAD with freeform design (T-spline).
I’m sure Plasticity will update with time to allow for exactly what you’re missing. I think the downsides far outweigh the flipside costs, especially annually.
@@eaman11 It's like $150 for the lowest tier and has other pro versions that start at like $700 and go to $1700 or so. No subscriptions. The cheap one definitely isn't crap but it'll irritate people who want to make complex contours easier than it already does. But even the cheap one is better than Fusion in my opinion for modeling.
Thanks for the video, I'm likely going to go for Plasticity as a long term Blender user. I used to Maya back in late 2000s and am sick of poly modeling for 3D printing applications. I do miss Fusion as well, and wish it was competitive to these other softwares. Instead we get "enshittification" of things these days.
The cross sectional analysis sounds like something you should file a feature request for. Other features i don't know, might be straying a little far from fundamental design goal of the software, but maybe worth a gentle question to developer?
I agree. Just as a tip - a week after your post, nickkallen1 (the founder of Plasticity, I presume) posted this in the comment section here (quote): "We are working on section analysis and curvature combs for the next release". So, that sounds promising.
So if I want updates, I have to pay $149 every year. What's the difference? *Edit: I just realized that the renew costs $100 + tax. But it's still technically an "annual subscription". Also, I can't renew years later, it's described in the faq: "You can renew from two months before and to four months after the expiration of your maintenance contract."
Problem is, fusion is too expensive if you don’t earn money with it. I trust and support plasticity and guess it will be fanatic over year’s. My goto is shapr3D and it changes a lot over time. Has a timeline now I.e. and is kinda what you are searching. It cost not much annually and supports many OS.
Fusion is free if you don’t make money with it. Has been for yrs and yrs, like 10 yrs for me. The few things limited to pay versions are truly something you should be paying for.
glad i found this channel,i was really down right now,i just want to upgrade my knowledge in designing softwares,my course give me a pain in ass here in my country,no construction company is interest on it,theres a few but too far..im glad i see this
I've been using Ansys SpaceClaim for nearly 10 years to design model car kits and been miserable at $1250/year! I'm looking at Plasticity to replace it. I tried Fusion and found it clunky and hard to use. Yeah, Plasticity works differently, some tools I wish I had, but looks like it's going to work for what I do.
@@lilypower That's not what I was getting at. I meant, do they track somehow? That's what I was asking. I don't use it, was just wondering. It's too hard for me.
Can you not design something in fusion under one company name. Then sell the STL to another company under a different name for $1? Or have your partner create a fusion account and have them sell you the STL files for $1?
Can someone please telll me what to do to become a "pro" in for example fusion? In my job i woek with solodworks and i can use it this far for what we want to peoduce. But how to become a real specialist in the software?
try to copy evereyday objects around you, pen, cups, books, whatever, and also a lot of youtube. i find that cad is like any other skill, it needs to be trained, but also maintained!
@@kevbot. I'm happy for you. Presently Blender has a feature for NURMBS modelling. I believe it will get better overtime. Blender is free. I use fusion 360 & blender
Anyone here have advice for the right software for my use case? I'm trying to create an accurate 3D model of a physical product I am trying to create. I need accurate materials and textures and the ability to comp it into actual photographs for mockups, marketing, and proof of concept. I've been struggling finding any videos on that specific pipeline. It's all mold-making and 3d printing.
Fusion, shapr, plasticity, onshape, solidworks..... any of them should be suitable to create an accurate 3D model. As far as material, textures, and mockups, that is best done in Blender or the Autodesk equivalent. Hope this helps.
Yeah, Plasticity is great and fun for things like display models or wargaming terrain, but for parts that are meant to be connected to something else I prefer Fusion.
I don't know man... doesn't it just make sense to stick around, knowing that Plasticity is in its infancy and will very likely add these kinds of features? Kind of a no brainer if you ask me (plus fusion's UI gives me immediate rabies)
Intersection preview - move boolean object in Blender Increase a hole size - scale boolean object in blender Alternatively use Cad plug-in for blender. Blender is superior 🤣
Solidworks is financially out of reach for a hobbyist or “maker” level of usage. A license is substantially more expensive than the packages he’s evaluated in his videos.
@@Dooo00-jp7eiUnfortunately, the native files from the makers version can’t be opened by the full versions (academic and professional). Not sure if the maker version can open full version SLDPRT or SLDASM files. You could of course export to a neutral format like STEP, but then you lose the parameterization.
I've used rhino years ago and it was good but no parametric control, no history. I think like an engineer and prefer precise control and history for editing. Today rhino may be different so I will likely give it a shot.
Rhino has some of the best curve/spline tools out there. But it is no where as stable with complex geometry as plasticity is. One thing I really want from Plasticity is to export vector AI or SVG. The only way to do it currently is in a STEP, and 3ds Max does not import splines from STEP files. So I end up importing to Rhino just to export the AI to then import into 3ds Max or to create a texture in Illustrator. Exporting local pivots is non existent, and there's no instancing of parts. Two things Rhino can do. So if I import a file that also has a bunch of screws into 3ds Max from Rhino, each screw is a direct instance of all the others. Apply the material to one and they all get it. Or if you want to rotate them on their local axis, it just works. With Plasticity, I have to create the instances and pivots after exporting into other software, which is a huge waste of time.
No kidding, i watched that video and knew you would eventually have to go back, 360 is a real cad program. The good thing is you got a lot of views for that video. I cant imagine prototyping without parametric. I use analysis in all designs. Larry
We are working on section analysis and curvature combs for the next release. While Plasticity will never be parametric, the specific example given here (changing the radius of simple holes) is easily done by selecting all the holes you want to change and using the dimension command, which has the = (equals) keyboard shortcut. So you just type "=10mm" for example.
I did not know that. Thank you for sharing, Nick! I'm looking forward to the update. 🙌
Please add instances, this is something without which it is very difficult to make a complex design with many elements. For example, I want all the bolts or other elements to be tied to one object and when this object changes, all the others change.
I really liked your video about plasticity, it also made me give it an honest try and I ended up buying it after the trial ran out.
Here are my 2 cents about parametric vs non parametric modelling:
I used to be working as a design engineer and I worked with companies that used inventor (big brother of fusion) and creo elements (professional non parametric engineering CAD, but aimed at engineers, so no complex geometries like in plasticity). During my engineering studies I was only taught parametric modelling and non parametric modelling in creo was completely new to me, but it felt way more natural and as I learned how to use it, I got a lot more done in less time. Especially new models are finished way quicker without parameters, and if you have a little bit more complex models and try to change it with parameters, it often fails, because the structure of your parameters did not account for that specific change you wanted to make and it breaks. So in the end most models have been way more work to finish with parameters, and even if parametric models could shine, because you want to reuse a model, they don't, because the model breaks. And changing a non parametric model isn't as slow or hard as people like to pretend it is, especially if you mastered the tools the program brings with it. In my personal experience parametric modelling never lived up to the claims and non parametric was not as bad as everybody wanted it to be.
To be efficient with non parametric you do have to change your approach to modelling, that is for sure, but to me it was worth it.
The only reason I went with a parametric program after changing careers was, that I didn't know about a non parametric program that was viable/cheap enough for playing around with models for hobbies, and blender was just to far from what I knew. Fusion has a non parametric mode as well, that is not bad btw.
I have not worked long enough with plasticity to give a qualified statement, but I have already changed a lot on downloaded models and it worked very well, missing the sketches might just be a remnant of your "parametric upbringing". The solution you showed to changing hole sizes in a non parametric model was a pretty clunky one, plasticity has many options to grab faces and move them around/change dimensions inside the part, and it worked well for the changes I made in some models.
To me parametric design was a very powerful tool for very few niche use cases, that is used way to much. If you have parts that come in tons of slightly different variations, parametric is probably better for you, but if you design stuff from scratch a lot or make rather drastical changes to models, non parametric is probably the better long term option. Right now with all the skills that I have, I would even design a part that would be ideal for parametric design in non parametric first and then come up with a good parametric structure after the geometry is figuered out.
This feels like misinterpreting the intended use case of Plasticity a bit. I don't think it was intended to be a competitor to parametric packages like Fusion, rather it was a way to blend the modelling features of NURBS with the flexibility of something like Blender. It's always been billed as "CAD for artists". I'd definitely still make mechanical models like your dock in a parametric package. But for bashing out concept 3D work or visualisation models Plasticity is more flexible.
Plasticity is a competitor to Rhino and MOI.
I don't think he is misinterpreting the use case; rather one doesn't know exactly what type of software one needs until one is confronted with inherent limitations a little too often.
Yes, I am also a user of blender grid modeling, and I prefer the Plasticity of curves to a user of cad and 3d printing or industrial design as a way of reducing my work in blender
Surface modeling in P is still significantly better than F.
P unlike Rhino has also fantastic direct modeling abilities making the history not always that needed.
The parametric system is great for some basic designs but then moment the design gets to complex it will slow you down too.
That’s why I often bake the history and create static models which will be easier to adjust.
Thanks for your wonderful insight about Plasticity compared to Fusion. Fusion is great as it combines both parametric CAD with freeform design (T-spline).
I’m sure Plasticity will update with time to allow for exactly what you’re missing. I think the downsides far outweigh the flipside costs, especially annually.
FreeCAD?
Fusion is for engineers and plasticity is for designers. Low cost Alternative to fusion is Alibre and NOT plasticity
I second that.
I third that, ive switched to Alibre due to the cost of Fusion
How much does that cost?
@@eaman11 their perpetual license starts from 199 to 1999. Depending on version. Subscription starts from 100 to 500 per year
@@eaman11 It's like $150 for the lowest tier and has other pro versions that start at like $700 and go to $1700 or so. No subscriptions. The cheap one definitely isn't crap but it'll irritate people who want to make complex contours easier than it already does. But even the cheap one is better than Fusion in my opinion for modeling.
I would die without parametric modeling lol
@@ahsanahmedbhaila 😄
As a programmer - yes
@@vim55k me to
Yah I dunno. I feel like people "think" surface modeling is easier, but parametric modeling is so much easier in the long run.
Thanks for the video, I'm likely going to go for Plasticity as a long term Blender user. I used to Maya back in late 2000s and am sick of poly modeling for 3D printing applications. I do miss Fusion as well, and wish it was competitive to these other softwares.
Instead we get "enshittification" of things these days.
is it possible to design in fusion and import in plasticity for that $1000 revenue issue?
Very very big Kudos to KevBot for being honest. Something you may not come across the interwebs too often.
Thank you!
The cross sectional analysis sounds like something you should file a feature request for. Other features i don't know, might be straying a little far from fundamental design goal of the software, but maybe worth a gentle question to developer?
Yeah hopefully the developers will take note and implement the sectional analysis. That would be awesome.
I agree. Just as a tip - a week after your post, nickkallen1 (the founder of Plasticity, I presume) posted this in the comment section here (quote): "We are working on section analysis and curvature combs for the next release". So, that sounds promising.
So if I want updates, I have to pay $149 every year. What's the difference?
*Edit: I just realized that the renew costs $100 + tax. But it's still technically an "annual subscription". Also, I can't renew years later, it's described in the faq: "You can renew from two months before and to four months after the expiration of your maintenance contract."
Problem is, fusion is too expensive if you don’t earn money with it.
I trust and support plasticity and guess it will be fanatic over year’s. My goto is shapr3D and it changes a lot over time. Has a timeline now I.e. and is kinda what you are searching. It cost not much annually and supports many OS.
Fusion is free if you don’t make money with it. Has been for yrs and yrs, like 10 yrs for me. The few things limited to pay versions are truly something you should be paying for.
I agree, fusion is definitely too expensive and I prefer Shapr3d also compared to fusion.
@@Thomllama but where to download the free version ?
glad i found this channel,i was really down right now,i just want to upgrade my knowledge in designing softwares,my course give me a pain in ass here in my country,no construction company is interest on it,theres a few but too far..im glad i see this
Thank you for sharing!
I've been using Ansys SpaceClaim for nearly 10 years to design model car kits and been miserable at $1250/year! I'm looking at Plasticity to replace it. I tried Fusion and found it clunky and hard to use. Yeah, Plasticity works differently, some tools I wish I had, but looks like it's going to work for what I do.
It's definitely worth a try, but if you end up hating it, shapr3d is great too.
Fusion to Plasticity is the new Solidworks to Fusion.
yeah I absolutely 100% have to have parametric.
why not design the parts on Plasticity and then upload it to a different CAD Software that has parametric?
It wouldn't be as easy to edit, unfortunately. Creating it from the start in parametric software gives you way more flexibility.
@@kevbot. Interesting. What ever helps your projects, do whats best for you.
What sites are you planning to sell your products?
How would Autodesk know how much you are making off your digital files your selling?
well, it's called honesty, some of us does actually care.
@@lilypower That's not what I was getting at. I meant, do they track somehow? That's what I was asking. I don't use it, was just wondering. It's too hard for me.
Puh the point of Fusion is too its good for Teams.
Can you not design something in fusion under one company name. Then sell the STL to another company under a different name for $1? Or have your partner create a fusion account and have them sell you the STL files for $1?
I hear Plasticity will not import svg. Deal breaker right there.
I believe they just updated Plasticity to be able to import SVGs, I haven't tried it out yet though.
Plasticity sounds like a souped up Tinkercad.
@@UnCoolDad Yeah, it's a lot of fun
Fusion slow downs are far and few between if your internet is fast and your computer runs clean.
Can someone please telll me what to do to become a "pro" in for example fusion? In my job i woek with solodworks and i can use it this far for what we want to peoduce. But how to become a real specialist in the software?
Take simple objects and build them and slowly build more complex objects.
And a lot of RUclips ;)
try to copy evereyday objects around you, pen, cups, books, whatever, and also a lot of youtube. i find that cad is like any other skill, it needs to be trained, but also maintained!
I actually dreamed of you coming back to fusion 360😢. Seriously months ago.
Really! That's crazy! Haha
@@kevbot. I'm happy for you. Presently Blender has a feature for NURMBS modelling. I believe it will get better overtime. Blender is free. I use fusion 360 & blender
OnShape?
just onshape.
I think for fusion there's a startup plan. It costs far less for like the first 3 years if I remember correctly 😊
bro you look like if i bought macklemore at the dollar tree
Thank you! 😄
Nah, he looks more like Macklemore at the Thrift Shop
Anyone here have advice for the right software for my use case? I'm trying to create an accurate 3D model of a physical product I am trying to create. I need accurate materials and textures and the ability to comp it into actual photographs for mockups, marketing, and proof of concept. I've been struggling finding any videos on that specific pipeline. It's all mold-making and 3d printing.
Fusion, shapr, plasticity, onshape, solidworks..... any of them should be suitable to create an accurate 3D model. As far as material, textures, and mockups, that is best done in Blender or the Autodesk equivalent. Hope this helps.
I already thought it was a huge mistake...
This is a really comprehensive comparison between the two different software packages. Nice work, thanks for showing all the use cases!
Of course, thank you for watching!
Yeah, Plasticity is great and fun for things like display models or wargaming terrain, but for parts that are meant to be connected to something else I prefer Fusion.
Why not try solid edge it comes with keyshot ? I'm also eager to try it
is plasticity also cloud based like fusion?
do you think your better than us that would not pay anything for fusion until the document limit became too much to bear.
Has anyone tried solid edge ?
I don't know man... doesn't it just make sense to stick around, knowing that Plasticity is in its infancy and will very likely add these kinds of features? Kind of a no brainer if you ask me (plus fusion's UI gives me immediate rabies)
Yeah, I'm definitely sticking with plasticity. 👌 It's much more enjoyable than fusion.
Intersection preview - move boolean object in Blender
Increase a hole size - scale boolean object in blender
Alternatively use Cad plug-in for blender. Blender is superior 🤣
You sure know what you are talking about ;)
thank you for tell me about plasticity
No problem!
you are missing the best parametric CAD software: Solidworks
Solidworks is financially out of reach for a hobbyist or “maker” level of usage. A license is substantially more expensive than the packages he’s evaluated in his videos.
@@itslow there is a makers version that is about $50/year for the desktop software
@@Dooo00-jp7eiUnfortunately, the native files from the makers version can’t be opened by the full versions (academic and professional). Not sure if the maker version can open full version SLDPRT or SLDASM files. You could of course export to a neutral format like STEP, but then you lose the parameterization.
Have you considered Rhino? Howndoes it compare?
I have not tried rhino yet but I do know plasticity and rhino both have xnurbs which is nice to see 👌
Rhino is king for artistic stuff like jewelry and product design. Not as great for mechanical/engineering. But the price may be icky.
I've used rhino years ago and it was good but no parametric control, no history. I think like an engineer and prefer precise control and history for editing. Today rhino may be different so I will likely give it a shot.
Rhino has some of the best curve/spline tools out there. But it is no where as stable with complex geometry as plasticity is. One thing I really want from Plasticity is to export vector AI or SVG. The only way to do it currently is in a STEP, and 3ds Max does not import splines from STEP files. So I end up importing to Rhino just to export the AI to then import into 3ds Max or to create a texture in Illustrator. Exporting local pivots is non existent, and there's no instancing of parts. Two things Rhino can do. So if I import a file that also has a bunch of screws into 3ds Max from Rhino, each screw is a direct instance of all the others. Apply the material to one and they all get it. Or if you want to rotate them on their local axis, it just works. With Plasticity, I have to create the instances and pivots after exporting into other software, which is a huge waste of time.
No kidding, i watched that video and knew you would eventually have to go back, 360 is a real cad program. The good thing is you got a lot of views for that video. I cant imagine prototyping without parametric. I use analysis in all designs. Larry
Touch of the tism is strong