snow

use the NOTE tool instead of 3D text. then it should all show up like the dimensions.

i'm fairly certain formZ is primarily written on the mac (from it's conception!) and then ported (probably not the correct term) to windows. sooo to improve efficiency between versions, it's the opposite of what you're positing lol

I haven't tried this, but if you're on a Mac you might be able to try Sidecar (if you have a spare iPad nearby) instead of purchasing a separate monitor. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210380

yes, absolutely! I know formZ version 9 changed the home interface from ALL floating palettes to snapping palettes, but from what I've read on the forum (I'm still using 8.6) it's quite cumbersome, to say the least. I realize C4D/Nemetschek is an absolute powerhouse in the industry (and therefore have teams of developers and an extensive QA stage) and ADS is a considerably smaller operation, but sometimes it seems like the formZ dev team is completely unaware of other 3D programs and have a difficult time looking beyond their own creation. Alas, that's where the community can come together like this and say "here is something a program X does better than formZ, would it be possible to try to emulate that?"

I share this sentiment. I use Cinema 4D and formZ equally in my day-to-day workflow and I find myself trying to learn how to model more effectively in Cinema simply because the UI is that much better. Criticism is fine, but constructive criticism is better. I agree with your original post that the icon design is in need of a facelift. I'd love to see a streamlined look among the icons and I allude to how C4D uses color schemes to identify toolsets. Purple for modifiers, blue for primitives, and green for... mograph? I'm not sure what to call this toolset. The basic functions are all orange (select, move, rotate, point/line/poly). In formZ, the generate toolset is pretty solid, and I would argue that the subdivision edit tools are pretty effective only using one extra color for the icons. If I were to change these, I would dial back on the "shine" of the icon objects. they can still be 3D, but the whole gradient from white to dark blue is unnecessary and makes small icons look too busy. When you get into other toolsets (modify, measure, modify NURBS) there's a lot of other colors going on and it loses a sense of uniformity among the interface. It would be cool to see all "generate" "shapes" "primitives" so have one color scheme, modifiers to have another, and then all the editing tools just use the two color scheme like subD edit. I would also like to see formZ ditch the "depressed icon" look that you see in the tool dock and the tool options. it's a pretty antiquated appearance and wastes precious pixels that could be used for larger, clearer icons. I think Cinema also nails this by just highlighting the active tool/functions in blue. it's super clean and easy to spot. Same with the red outline in the tool dock. Other programs probably use this approach as well, but I don't have them at my disposal to show as an example. I know that these are simply cosmetic issues and 100% do NOT effect the functions of the program, which is why I don't spend much time posting about it. HOWEVER, I have tried other 3D software and I'm immediately repulsed by the cluttered UI (lookin' at you 3DS Max) which makes me never want to open that program again. I would suspect that formZ might have the same issue for new users who are borderline OCD designers that put a LOT of stock in aesthetic such as myself, but I could be wrong. SO.... is it imperative that formZ updates the interface to keep users? I don't think so. Would an interface overhaul help gather new users? I don't know the answer, but it's definitely worth a shot. After all "good designers copy, great designers steal"

i think you're looking for the controlled rounding tool? but the objects need to be union'd first.

I found the change log that was posted in the 9.1 forum post by tech. I'm not sure if it's my fault that I didn't find it, or maybe I should stop assuming these updates should be listed somewhere on the main formZ page. http://www.formz.com/fzsite1219/products/9.x_change_log.pdf

I'd like to see a list of fixes/changes. I'm still running 8.6 because a number of bugs that I run into aren't fixed in 9.0.X. *sigh*

based off this post I assume 9.1 is running natively on the M1 chip, not just using Rosetta

According to this, the Cinebench score is "quite impressive" https://www.notebookcheck.net/These-Apple-M1-Cinebench-R23-scores-are-quite-impressive-for-a-10-W-processor.504380.0.html But I would advise waiting until the next round of machines that feature the M1 (maybe M2??). Rumor is that there will be a much deserved redesign across the MacBook line which will axe the touchbar and have physical function keys again. https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/15/22232393/macbook-pro-2021-arm-intel-touch-bar-magsafe-kuo

nvm. ADS posted the forum update.

could someone elaborate on this for those who didn't receive an email? I'm curious...

*suggestion* formZ should hide those in a Python extensions sub folder. See: "Import" "Export" "Plane Projection"

This line made me cringe. I personally wouldn't spend any more than $150 on either of those machines considering their obsolescence. You won't have much luck finding modern software that will run "well" on an Intel Core 2 Duo. However this is just my opinion and others may have a better experience running 3D apps on this old hardware.

I'm curious if an implementation of a "purge" tool could help here. Instead of individually purging layers, materials, ghosted objects, animation tracks, empty groups (I've noticed excess groups that contain one object and aren't actually grouping anything, can slow things down a bit. I get this a lot importing SKP files or after I happen to delete multiple objects in a group and don't realize I have one object left in said group, but I digress), etc., the user could call the PURGE tool, and check/uncheck various things to purge in the tool options.