As a designer, I finally found a great design program that is intuitive and allows me to design rather than program. The program is Form Z. Unlike SketchUp standard functions, Form Z can create parametric and biomorphic forms quite easily. This is very important, since I don’t want to program, but rather want the pleasure exploring my design work. I would definitely recommend this program to students, as well as, professional designers. I would check out the free version and then upgrade as I have done. Would love to see hear what other designers think FormZ!!!!
Non Sequitur
Nov 19, 17 6:12 pm
FormZ still alive? I took that in undergrad Over 15 years ago.
LITS4FormZ
Nov 19, 17 7:09 pm
FormZ is garbage, that is all.
77LightTemple
Nov 19, 17 8:16 pm
Yes, Form Z has redesigned the interface and now is very easy to use to design
It is actually a lot easier to use then Rhino, plus you can import Sketchup files and components.
Non Sequitur
Nov 20, 17 10:27 am
why even bother when quite literally every other software is better?
randomised
Nov 19, 17 9:53 pm
Not sure if I need to mark this thread as spam...
JLC-1
Nov 20, 17 12:52 am
Follow your dreams....
77LightTemple
Nov 19, 17 11:54 pm
This is why are professional is terrible -some of the comments are rather childish.
As a designer, who has designed over 4 million square feet and with projects on three continents, my purpose is to help my fellow designer find the best ways to improve their skills, in order to follow their dreams.
randomised
Nov 20, 17 2:23 am
Lighten up, just messing with you. You clearly chose the wrong username ;)
LITS4FormZ
Nov 20, 17 10:04 am
That's a lot of parking garages. Life is too short for FormZ
Non Sequitur
Nov 20, 17 10:27 am
FormZ is still terrible. That is not a childish claim.
randomised
Nov 20, 17 2:06 pm
Finally your username makes sense to me, LITS4.
LITS4FormZ
Nov 20, 17 2:27 pm
During an internship at a starchitect office in Beijing we were partnering with a local design firm that used FormZ exclusively so they made us use it for the project as well. After struggling to make sense of the program the designer sitting next to me said "Life is too short for FormZ" and put his head down on the desk in shame.
archietechie
Nov 21, 17 3:45 pm
STORY. OF. THE. FUCKING. YEAR. !!!!!.
chigurh
Nov 20, 17 9:37 am
AD!
sameolddoctor
Nov 20, 17 11:38 am
Sketchup and FormZ both suck ass. Rhino is where it's at.
archietechie
Nov 20, 17 12:55 pm
Most everyone associated FormZ to Morphosis but that was it's early days.
Rhino is where it's at now people, so much so even dinosaurs like D.Curtis is on board so get with the program!
77LightTemple
Nov 20, 17 4:20 pm
Actually, Form Z can perform all that Rhino can do, but is very quick to pick up interns of training. It’s as easy as sketch up , but has superior tools for exploring form
I have tested Rhino, but as a designer Form Z is great for schematic and design development. Then you can quickly import to ArchiCad for further refinement
Non Sequitur
Nov 20, 17 4:26 pm
Funny but sad. This ZormZ sales rep tries to hard.
JLC-1
Nov 20, 17 5:04 pm
downloaded the free version to see what it was, it crashed at the first attempt.
accesskb
Dec 4, 17 2:38 pm
"very quick to pick up interns of training" this seems to be the gimmick selling point for FormZ all these years.. What a waste of interns and student's time learning this program and then having to switch to another software after realizing its crap. Just go with the industry standard from the get go
chigurh
Nov 20, 17 4:43 pm
And if you act now, not only do you get the most dated useless 3d software around, but you will also get a free ginsu knife set!!! CALL NOW: 1-800-FORM-Z-SUX
Non Sequitur
Nov 20, 17 4:48 pm
does the knife cut through shoes?
chigurh
Nov 20, 17 5:09 pm
cast iron pipe!
Bench
Nov 21, 17 8:47 am
Giving knives to people just starting to learn FormZ seems ... risky
Non Sequitur
Nov 21, 17 9:46 am
Bench, you win 12 internet points for that.
77LightTemple
Nov 20, 17 5:36 pm
Childish again , but I am sure some students and professional will find my thoughts interesting. No I am not a sales rep.... just talented designer unlike the childish comments and certainly from a fustratrd designer or washed up comic.
Enjoy!
Non Sequitur
Nov 20, 17 8:35 pm
Hilarious.
chigurh
Nov 20, 17 5:45 pm
SELF PROCLAIMED TALENTED DESIGNER ALERT!
kidomega
Nov 20, 17 7:38 pm
Whatever works for ya, dude. So long as it helps you finish and deliver a project then go use it til you're worn out. Nobody gives a shit what tools you use (well except for some motherfuckers here >fingerpointingupemoji<).
77LightTemple
Nov 20, 17 10:57 pm
Hi 27458
I am asking Archinect to remove you, since you are using dirty language - hope you mother is happy with raising you.
tduds
Dec 4, 17 6:16 pm
Ohhhh shit.
77LightTemple
Nov 20, 17 10:59 pm
My goal is to help the community, unfortunately we have a lot of of miserable fools in our profession.
Non Sequitur
Nov 20, 17 11:49 pm
not miserable, just better informed.
Miles Jaffe
Nov 21, 17 9:00 am
In
my experience they go hand-in-hand.
Non Sequitur
Nov 21, 17 10:39 am
I think my association does not allow self-depreciating firm names.
77LightTemple
Nov 21, 17 12:00 am
Thanks, Christopher fir your comment !
hellion
Nov 21, 17 1:01 am
SketchUp and FormZ are both pretty convenient tools especially if you need to make a quick model or if you want to present actual models (of projects) for clients to understand in 3d (when 2d isn't enough). I don't get why people who use it frequently in their practices get a lot of flack for it (or maybe just here in Archinect?). When I was still working for this large corporate firm, our foreign consultants would send us schematics or concept models made with SketchUp or FormZ and big corporations / clients paid them more money than the firm who does the supervision, BIM production (we used ArchiCad) and locally standardised construction drawings.
Miles Jaffe
Nov 21, 17 9:01 am
Formz is so passé. We're using Blender for everything now.
Non Sequitur
Nov 21, 17 9:48 am
Do you pronounce it FormZee or FormZed? Only one is correct.
Wilma Buttfit
Nov 22, 17 9:05 am
Now you have me thinking. But why not pronounce it Forms? Why FormZed?
randomised
Nov 21, 17 2:16 pm
It has to be FormZed 'cause Zed's dead!
77LightTemple
Nov 21, 17 5:03 pm
jamesaleisterbarcelona
Thanks fir your comments
I agree with you.
Besides FormZ, I also have been investingating Archicad vs Revit.
I began using Revit, but found it very counterintuitive to Form Z. Recently looking at Archicad fir production work . How do you like it?
hellion
Nov 21, 17 6:11 pm
From my experience, ArchiCad has a more friendly user interface. Very efficient to use especially for large-scale multi-story buildings. Large corporate firms here in the Philippines like GF & Partners and Aidea, with clients such as the biggest names in real estate development, use ArchiCad especially for extensive production drawings or CD's. However, the more design-oriented firms like Rchitects and Lor Calma and Partners use Revit. You can do much more (parametric) stuff in Revit in terms of manipulating forms than in ArchiCad. ArchiCad I find has some constraints when it comes to making complex forms, but still easier to use than Revit. Basically, for the more practical buildings and efficient BIM use ArchiCad. But if you're going for bit more complexity, form wise, then Revit is much powerful.
To be honest, I still use AutoCAD for 2D drafting/presentation especially for CD's. Before I learned ArchiCAD, I already had my .ctb or line weight presets established. And I'm such an OC with drafting quality. The line quality of CAD is something I can't seem to be satisfied with ArchiCAD. But that's just me. Also, I still do my initial 3D with Sketchup. I've had clients who like to see the design in all sides and angles, so having a tool like it really helps because it provides that representation already of the design.
hellion
Nov 21, 17 9:52 pm
And I agree with "learning them all." I'm currently re-learning Rhino and GH again. I got the chance to learn the basics in an AA Visiting School. It was a fast track so it never stuck with me so I'm giving it another go by myself. Never hurts to try!
randomised
Nov 23, 17 4:18 am
About that complexity...ArchiCAD is compatible with Rhino. I've modelled complex geometry like a weird swooping, non-standard staircase or double curved parking ramp in Rhino and placed it in ArchiCAD without problems.
hellion
Nov 23, 17 4:46 am
Didn't know you can import Rhino to ArchiCad! So that includes Archicad with what i have to re-learn as well. Haha! Thanks for that revelation, randomised!
77LightTemple
Nov 22, 17 2:30 am
Great feedback and good luck James!
accesskb
Dec 4, 17 2:35 pm
did FormZ pay you to start a thread in here? I have nightmares using FormZ
Chris Hoydahl
Jul 4, 22 7:33 am
Recent Master graduate here. Started learning Formz in High School and I still use it. It specialises in very rapid prototyping and offers a lot of creativity. It used to crash a lot, and was not too happy with big files or renders, however, those problems seem largely resolved now.
I find components clunky to use though, but that's perhaps just my inexperience with it. There is also still a significant amount of bugs that appear when sketching out certain kinds of geometries.
Overall, I find it far superior to Sketchup, and much simpler and faster than Rhino. However, it is not as stable or precise as Rhino is, and of course it should not be used for the same kind of modelling that programs like Revit/ArchiCAD specialises in.
monosierra
Jul 4, 22 8:21 am
There are different software types for different purposes at different design stages. It looks like OP works primarily on high level design at practices known for their free form geometry.
ZBrush & Friends: Concept Design to DD
Rhino: Rationalization, attributing, and fabrication
As a designer, I finally found a great design program that is intuitive and allows me to design rather than program. The program is Form Z. Unlike SketchUp standard functions, Form Z can create parametric and biomorphic forms quite easily. This is very important, since I don’t want to program, but rather want the pleasure exploring my design work. I would definitely recommend this program to students, as well as, professional designers. I would check out the free version and then upgrade as I have done. Would love to see hear what other designers think FormZ!!!!
FormZ still alive? I took that in undergrad Over 15 years ago.
FormZ is garbage, that is all.
Yes, Form Z has redesigned the interface and now is very easy to use to design
It is actually a lot easier to use then Rhino, plus you can import Sketchup files and components.
why even bother when quite literally every other software is better?
Not sure if I need to mark this thread as spam...
Follow your dreams....
This is why are professional is terrible -some of the comments are rather childish.
As a designer, who has designed over 4 million square feet and with projects on three continents, my purpose is to help my fellow designer find the best ways to improve their skills, in order to follow their dreams.
Lighten up, just messing with you. You clearly chose the wrong username ;)
That's a lot of parking garages. Life is too short for FormZ
FormZ is still terrible. That is not a childish claim.
Finally your username makes sense to me, LITS4.
During an internship at a starchitect office in Beijing we were partnering with a local design firm that used FormZ exclusively so they made us use it for the project as well. After struggling to make sense of the program the designer sitting next to me said "Life is too short for FormZ" and put his head down on the desk in shame.
STORY. OF. THE. FUCKING. YEAR. !!!!!.
AD!
Sketchup and FormZ both suck ass. Rhino is where it's at.
Most everyone associated FormZ to Morphosis but that was it's early days.
Rhino is where it's at now people, so much so even dinosaurs like D.Curtis is on board so get with the program!
Actually, Form Z can perform all that Rhino can do, but is very quick to pick up interns of training. It’s as easy as sketch up , but has superior tools for exploring form
I have tested Rhino, but as a designer Form Z is great for schematic and design development. Then you can quickly import to ArchiCad for further refinement
Funny but sad. This ZormZ sales rep tries to hard.
downloaded the free version to see what it was, it crashed at the first attempt.
"very quick to pick up interns of training" this seems to be the gimmick selling point for FormZ all these years.. What a waste of interns and student's time learning this program and then having to switch to another software after realizing its crap. Just go with the industry standard from the get go
And if you act now, not only do you get the most dated useless 3d software around, but you will also get a free ginsu knife set!!! CALL NOW: 1-800-FORM-Z-SUX
does the knife cut through shoes?
cast iron pipe!
Giving knives to people just starting to learn FormZ seems ... risky
Bench, you win 12 internet points for that.
Childish again , but I am sure some students and professional will find my thoughts interesting. No I am not a sales rep.... just talented designer unlike the childish comments and certainly from a fustratrd designer or washed up comic.
Enjoy!
Hilarious.
SELF PROCLAIMED TALENTED DESIGNER ALERT!
Whatever works for ya, dude. So long as it helps you finish and deliver a project then go use it til you're worn out. Nobody gives a shit what tools you use (well except for some motherfuckers here >fingerpointingupemoji<).
Hi 27458
I am asking Archinect to remove you, since you are using dirty language - hope you mother is happy with raising you.
Ohhhh shit.
My goal is to help the community, unfortunately we have a lot of of miserable fools in our profession.
not miserable, just better informed.
In my experience they go hand-in-hand.
I think my association does not allow self-depreciating firm names.
Thanks, Christopher fir your comment !
SketchUp and FormZ are both pretty convenient tools especially if you need to make a quick model or if you want to present actual models (of projects) for clients to understand in 3d (when 2d isn't enough). I don't get why people who use it frequently in their practices get a lot of flack for it (or maybe just here in Archinect?). When I was still working for this large corporate firm, our foreign consultants would send us schematics or concept models made with SketchUp or FormZ and big corporations / clients paid them more money than the firm who does the supervision, BIM production (we used ArchiCad) and locally standardised construction drawings.
Formz is so passé. We're using Blender for everything now.
Do you pronounce it FormZee or FormZed? Only one is correct.
Now you have me thinking. But why not pronounce it Forms? Why FormZed?
It has to be FormZed 'cause Zed's dead!
jamesaleisterbarcelona
Thanks fir your comments
I agree with you.
Besides FormZ, I also have been investingating Archicad vs Revit.
I began using Revit, but found it very counterintuitive to Form Z. Recently looking at Archicad fir production work . How do you like it?
From my experience, ArchiCad has a more friendly user interface. Very efficient to use especially for large-scale multi-story buildings. Large corporate firms here in the Philippines like GF & Partners and Aidea, with clients such as the biggest names in real estate development, use ArchiCad especially for extensive production drawings or CD's. However, the more design-oriented firms like Rchitects and Lor Calma and Partners use Revit. You can do much more (parametric) stuff in Revit in terms of manipulating forms than in ArchiCad. ArchiCad I find has some constraints when it comes to making complex forms, but still easier to use than Revit. Basically, for the more practical buildings and efficient BIM use ArchiCad. But if you're going for bit more complexity, form wise, then Revit is much powerful.
It was also a discussion here at some point: https://archinect.com/forum/thread/54604297/archicad-or-revit
David,
To be honest, I still use AutoCAD for 2D drafting/presentation especially for CD's. Before I learned ArchiCAD, I already had my .ctb or line weight presets established. And I'm such an OC with drafting quality. The line quality of CAD is something I can't seem to be satisfied with ArchiCAD. But that's just me. Also, I still do my initial 3D with Sketchup. I've had clients who like to see the design in all sides and angles, so having a tool like it really helps because it provides that representation already of the design.
And I agree with "learning them all." I'm currently re-learning Rhino and GH again. I got the chance to learn the basics in an AA Visiting School. It was a fast track so it never stuck with me so I'm giving it another go by myself. Never hurts to try!
About that complexity...ArchiCAD is compatible with Rhino. I've modelled complex geometry like a weird swooping, non-standard staircase or double curved parking ramp in Rhino and placed it in ArchiCAD without problems.
Didn't know you can import Rhino to ArchiCad! So that includes Archicad with what i have to re-learn as well. Haha! Thanks for that revelation, randomised!
Great feedback and good luck James!
did FormZ pay you to start a thread in here? I have nightmares using FormZ
Recent Master graduate here. Started learning Formz in High School and I still use it. It specialises in very rapid prototyping and offers a lot of creativity. It used to crash a lot, and was not too happy with big files or renders, however, those problems seem largely resolved now.
I find components clunky to use though, but that's perhaps just my inexperience with it. There is also still a significant amount of bugs that appear when sketching out certain kinds of geometries.
Overall, I find it far superior to Sketchup, and much simpler and faster than Rhino. However, it is not as stable or precise as Rhino is, and of course it should not be used for the same kind of modelling that programs like Revit/ArchiCAD specialises in.
There are different software types for different purposes at different design stages. It looks like OP works primarily on high level design at practices known for their free form geometry.
ZBrush & Friends: Concept Design to DD
Rhino: Rationalization, attributing, and fabrication
Revit: Main production BIM and IFC