Please welcome PowerCADD

[Justin Montoya]

Charles-

Admittedly, I don't work in 2D much but I have an idea that might help you.  Have you tried using FormZ 10's Draft Layout to import your FormZ model as a plan or elevation and then export as a DWG from there?   That should eliminate the multiple line issue.

Also, It sounds like PowerCADD is still under Beta development and while I know it's taking longer than expected, unfortunately that's what happens when Apple chooses to cut off software support repeatedly and change directions so many times.  Hang in there, if AutoDesSys says it's coming, then it's coming.

[tbray]

I think this a great move by form Z. Something else that I have been playing with is Plusspec inline with sketchup. Is it possible to include the Plusspec addon to form Z. https://plusspec.com/tutorials-advanced/pluspec

[Charles Freeborn]

On 1/16/2024 at 2:52 PM, Justin Montoya said:

Charles-

Admittedly, I don't work in 2D much but I have an idea that might help you.  Have you tried using FormZ 10's Draft Layout to import your FormZ model as a plan or elevation and then export as a DWG from there?   That should eliminate the multiple line issue.

Also, It sounds like PowerCADD is still under Beta development and while I know it's taking longer than expected, unfortunately that's what happens when Apple chooses to cut off software support repeatedly and change directions so many times.  Hang in there, if AutoDesSys says it's coming, then it's coming.

Interesting thought - using Layout as a bridge. I'll give it a go. If it can solve the scaling issues that could be a solution. My seat-of-the-pants-not-a-coder take on the primary issue with scaling is F•Z, like AutoCad, essentially draws in full scale and adapts to user scale through a sort of "viewer", whereas PC sets the scale(s) on each individual sheet. 

I don't know how Open Clip worked, but it sort of did, back when it did. 

As for PC and it's "anticipated upgrade", over on the PC forums there are die-hard users that think it's still going to happen, and then there are others, including me, not so convinced. Engsw has put out a broad range of mixed messages on the topic, first claiming it was closing shop, to claiming to have found new input and a development team, to utter silence (current situation). They've never been very good at communicating improvements and sticking to time lines, but this current situation is pushing those boundaries even further. It would be good to hear from F•Z if there is any life left in that party or not.

Cheers.

Edited January 20, 2024 by Charles Freeborn

[Andrew West]

Well, it's been two and a half years since the announcement.  Since I work on a PC I can imagine it might be quite some time before I see this released for our use.  For those of you out there that share my predicament I can tell you that going back and forth between Rhino and FMZ for drafting has been working well for me.  Just create a basic plan from your FMZ model and import that into Rhino.  Learning Rhino has been easy and there are lots of tutorials online.  

Of course it would be nice to have everything under one roof here but that is wishful thinking on my behalf.

[Thommo]

Great news.

Form Z badly needs to  upgrade its drawing capabilities.

[Charles Freeborn]

Has there been any progress with this merger? 

Over on the PCadd forum it seems the Beta testing has slowed to a crawl if not entirely stalled. 

Edited August 19, 2024 by Charles Freeborn

[Ivo]

Are you subscibed to the PowerCADD beta? I've been receiving regular software updates every week to 10 days.

[ZTEK]

The same here; I get updates all the time.

Although I don't use PowerCADD, I have been closely tracking the process with interest. If there's an exciting future integration with formZ, which I suppose there will be, I will start using it.

[Charles Freeborn]

On 8/20/2024 at 8:27 AM, Ivo said:

Are you subscibed to the PowerCADD beta? I've been receiving regular software updates every week to 10 days.

No. It's dribbling out at such a slow pace it's not worth my bandwidth to follow along. I have one remaining Mac that will run PC9. When it dies, if there's no replacement ready to go (PC10 is far from ready) I'll have to find another package that'll export to and from FZ.

I'll say it again - if anyone at FZ is listening - put the Wild Tools palette into Layout and call it done. I can work around all the other clumsy features of Layout if necessary, but the base drawing tools are a joke. Whatever 2-d package you settle on just make it bi-directional - i.e. edits in either update both (3-d model and 2-d drawing).

[Charles Freeborn]

Another 3 months has gone by. Is there any progress?

[skybound13]

On 7/21/2024 at 1:13 PM, Thommo said:

Form Z badly needs to  upgrade its drawing capabilities.

You could create a new topic in the form•Z Suggestions forum and share some specific improvements you’d like to see.