+1. My maintenance renewal is currently on hold until I can justify another financial outlay as the last 2 releases have been quite difficult to justify for me!I’ve started to see a few replies on posts about features added in v27. It would be nice if there is a list of currently implemented features or planned features coming up in the next version.
100% if I could have stl import then I'd only use Alibre. I'm able to import it in Fusion and FreeCad. My first two CAD classes allowed me to use Alibre. It's easy to use. I use Alibre for maybe two hours per week for school but I'm only learning the skills taught in class. I'm spending 8 - 10 hours per week in Fusion editing stl and I'm learning their software more than Alibre. I wish I could stay within Alibre. If 27 doesn't import stl then I'm holding off on the update package as 26 does everything I need now.The last two upgrade versions were pretty good, but I am not sure that overall product is worth the price of the annual maintenance. Yes, I am thankful for many improvements in V25 and V26, but I want a lot more features implemented in V27.
I see many old requests with many from geomagic times, which have never been implemented. Usually it goes like this, User, "Please help me with feature X.." Hypothetical Reply, " Uh Oh why would you want to do this? If you still want this done, it is simple, you can use this other program or you can write your own script or just follow these three hundred steps to get this done."
Here are my issues with this, 1. if it is that simple, why this has not been incorporated already in the app? 2. If I have to use another program to do what I need to do, e.g. import STL, model threads, and so forth, then I might as well consider using another program to design my parts. 3. It is not easy to write scripts. Most of all, if I want to get something done, I want to get this done. I am willing to learn how things should be done, but in the end, it is my choice on what and how I want to do things.
I like Alibre, and I have been paying for the maintenance, but I am constantly forced to look for a competing product. So, the sooner I can see the list of the new and exciting planned/possible features, the more confidence I will have in Alibre. The way I see it, Alibre is a developing product, which needs new feature to be competitive, and it would be nice to see what is being planned.
The earlier people can get excited about new and upcoming features, the more licenses/maintenance fees Alibre can get, what do you think?
100% if I could have stl import then I'd only use Alibre. I'm able to import it in Fusion and FreeCad. My first two CAD classes allowed me to use Alibre. It's easy to use. I use Alibre for maybe two hours per week for school but I'm only learning the skills taught in class. I'm spending 8 - 10 hours per week in Fusion editing stl and I'm learning their software more than Alibre. I wish I could stay within Alibre. If 27 doesn't import stl then I'm holding off on the update package as 26 does everything I need now.
I'll give it a shot.While it's not as easy as having an integral converter, it's pretty close.
I've been using this script that @NateLiqGrav put together a few years ago.
Just download stltostp from GitHub, install it. Then install this script.
Script Release: STL Import
This script uses the open source stltostp to convert the STL file to an STP file and then optionally import it into Alibre. You must download and install stltostp before running. https://github.com/slugdev/stltostp If you installed stltostp but the script can't find it then you will need to...www.alibre.com
And, if I recall correctly, all files are watermarked to preclude using them commercially.Come to think of it Solidworks also has a very affordable edu. pricing.
seems to work. do you have any tips on the import? when I import i have a solid thats 43,000 triangles. i can insert planes to do some crude editing. would be nice if it was a single part dummy solidWhile it's not as easy as having an integral converter, it's pretty close.
I've been using this script that @NateLiqGrav put together a few years ago.
Just download stltostp from GitHub, install it. Then install this script.
Script Release: STL Import
This script uses the open source stltostp to convert the STL file to an STP file and then optionally import it into Alibre. You must download and install stltostp before running. https://github.com/slugdev/stltostp If you installed stltostp but the script can't find it then you will need to...www.alibre.com
seems to work. do you have any tips on the import? when I import i have a solid thats 43,000 triangles. i can insert planes to do some crude editing. would be nice if it was a single part dummy solid
I agree on this, the norm these days is more transparency in plans and things like that. Especially worth open source alternatives that weren’t there prior. Also the norm seems to be iterate quickly and respond to customers more than they used to. If they communicated more, the more people will see new stuff and more chance to grab attention for new users. I still am surprised I pulled the trigger on a paid product that is more than the 10 or 20 dollar a month competitors. Being easy to use and having an accessible first project to teach the ins and outs of the product helped me learn the software better than their competitors. I think the pdf project tutorial is a great thing that could be leaned into especially showing other lesser known features.I still need more convincing why I should renew my maintenance next time. I want things just work without having to use MOI or Rhino or FreeCAD or Fusion or script that may or may not work and not as easy as a built-in STL importer. It's great to see that Nate made the script available.
Alibre is great and easy to use, but lack of certain features, which are now seems to be standard in packages, such as FreeCAD, Fusion, SketchUp, Tinker, FormZ, Rhino, Onshape, and probably others (in no particular order) are still missing. Furthermore, some packages are either free for personal use or cost about as much as Alibre for professional use (Fusion, Rhino, Sketchup, FormZ). So, instead of making my designs in Alibre, I have been spending time searching for new software and learning FeeCAD. Come to think of it Solidworks also has a very affordable edu. pricing.
I think Alibre would benefit from sharing their plans, and having their plans aligned with what people want. I am sure that Alibre has its own base that will never go away, but to grow and attract more users Alibre needs to make more efforts. The more news Alibre shares, the more users they can attract, unless the news are not really worth mentioning.
Same here, service fee of the price of one year f360...mmm
Paint Select! Please make this work for trimming too like SolidWorks power trim.The ability to hold the mouse down and "paint" over figures, selecting any that the cursor moves over.
Thank you! Being able to create reference geometry with API/AlibreScript that "sticks" to its sources like user created reference geometry does is key to things updating correctly to changes. These updates (and the fix for angle constraint for face to plane) are what I need for the next big version. I know some users have been asking me to include the ability to make formed profiles automatically and would be very happy about API SMP feature creation.Some changes related to points and potentially SMP, primarily in service of NateLiqGrav's issues related to the structural assembly script.
Updates to the API would be most welcome.API Related
Some changes related to points and potentially SMP, primarily in service of NateLiqGrav's issues related to the structural assembly script.