It’s an interesting proposition, FormZ has direct Sketchup Import which we use that feature often now, the other current route is via Object2Fact, both are a seamless workflows, however, as you say, direct import would of course be best. Most of our clients use Sketchup now, not necessarily as their primary app, but they certainly have it to compliment Autocad (from which we really don’t need direct import .
It’s worth putting it up for discussion when the next feature ‘game’ comes around.
Ian,
I haven’t been very impressed by the formZ import, or the Sketchup -> OBJ export. The models are full of normals errors. If you have a method that seems to work, I’d love to hear it.
We get these competent models, and the clients scratch their heads as to why they need fixing. I just say I have kids to feed.
I’ll throw in my chip for the next feature round. I keep hoping Ramjac will add it to their offerings.
Hey Yon,
It of course depends on the model you’re trying to use, we’ve had LOADS of trouble with Sketchup cars you get free from 3D Warehouse (our solution to that problem was using Modo to fix them up).
As for buildings and furniture, we’ve not had a single issue with Sketchup import in FormZ, I guess we’ve just been lucky!
Yes, Sketchup has a somewhat dodgy Obj export, most apps do (Modo’s is really bad), it’s something I don’t understand since it is such a well documented format, why do developers all make their own ‘flavour’ of it!? It’s never been a show-stopper though. It just occasionally gives us redundant objects.
Maybe I should not reply cause Question is what kind of work you do and I so far don’t do any real work.
I just try to learn a little more all the time so I can make my own music videos and use 3Dsets or putting 3D objects or characters into videos.
I retired from working as a grocery clerk for 34 years about 3 years ago and now I am pursuing my real interests. I think you could say if rendering speeds get big boosts over next few years I wish I could make short stories or full movie using 3D actors.
Mark,
congratulations on pursuing your dream! I think you’ll find the real barrier is not the speed. EIAS is very good with speed. The real barrier is spending the time to get it right. You’ve made the first step, and I look forward to seeing some of your stuff in the future.
I hadn’t realised FormZ can import SketchUp models directly - is that only in 6.5 (we’re still using 6.0.4). I tend to use the dwg or 3ds export from SketchUp - into FormZ - fix everything (or rebuild as is often the case) and then export to fact.
James,
the SketchUp import for formZ is still in beta, and it is for 6.5 only. They now have a version 2 plug-in, version 1 worked better than my experience with sketchUp export > dwg or 3ds import as far as stability. Materials were more stable, as was face continuity.
Here is the link to access the plug-in, once you upgrade to 6.5
I mainly use EIAS for my personal enjoyment. I get a kick out of making spaceships fly around and do things. More recently, I’ve been experimenting with Rodeo and playing around with all the new options available to me since upgrading from the 3DToolkit. I used Impulse’s Imagine prior to that and have dabbled with 3D since the late 1980’s.
I also use EIAS to create animated graphics for fitness equipment. I had been writing service manuals and service flashes for about 15 years. I owned the 3DToolkit and had been using it to create some of the illustrations I needed. Our electronics group wanted to use higher resolution LCD displays and have some animations on them, but couldn’t come up with anything they were happy with. They approached me and I had the first one kicked out that afternoon. A few months later, I joined the electronics group full-time. With the raise that came with the switch, I was able to purchase my own copy of 7.0 along with a dual core laptop (HP DV9000). I only use EIAS for about 10-15% of what I do, but it’s a great tool to have available. My new job has me using Adobe Production Premium CS3 and Solidworks as well. Now if I can just get my boss to purchase EIAS 8.0 for me when it comes out…
It’s nowhere near the quality of what appears in the gallery here, but I did create a video that took “Best of Show” at a video contest held by several star trek clubs in Utah (Utah’s 7th Fleet). It was rushed, and there are several shots I’d like to rerender, but the deadline didn’t allow me to. Here’s the link:
I use EIAS for anything that I need to knock out really quickly. If a client has a restrictive budget and needs something simple I’ll turn to EIAS as I can get good results very quickly. If it’s a project that’s more complex I’ll use other software. I do scientific visualization but some broadcast work as well.
Biggest headache for me is that getting geometry into EIAS is a chore. If I didn’t have Polytrans I wouldn’t use EIAS.
If it had a better particle system I’d probably use EIAS more.
BTW… a square (or squarish) peg in a round hole was an early american technique for a very tight joint in post and beam construction (more friction) so it’s a good thing!… it’s a round peg in a square hole that doesn’t do much good…
It’s difficult to vote in this poll. I have used EI for every category in the poll. I admire the work in each catagory and wouldn’t want to see any of them lag in development for the sake of another. I still use EI in each category like industrial design or product render. My focus is been targeted towards Character animation. I would like EI to be proficient any any area I am accustomed to using it for.
.
