When it comes to 3D solid modelers, Bonzai3d v2 from AutoDesSys may be one of the newest kids on the block, but don't let its age fool you. This little program's heart and pedigree descend directly from its older sibling, the powerful and capable Form.Z 3D modeling and rendering solution. Think of Bonzai3d as the best parts of Form.Z wrapped in a new way of thinking.
[FIGURE 2 OMITTED]Using the Move tool, start by selecting one or more target objects. Then, on the currently active plane, click an arbitrary start point. When you do this, Bonzai3d calculates the difference vector between that first point and the cursor's current location on the plane and applies that difference to the selected objects in real time, while showing ghosted images at their original location for reference. A second click locks the objects in their new positions.* Cranbury's LaJobi Inc., a subsidiary of Kid Brands Inc., in Wayne, said it entered into a multiyear agreement to serve as the exclusive nursery furniture licensing partner with design and marketing company Kathy Ireland Worldwide. LaJobi isa maker and distributor of infant and juvenile furniture. The licensed products are expected to launch in the fall. -Jo�o-Pierre S. RuthUsually software this complex comes with a steep learning curve, but Bonzai3d, which is available in Windows and Mac versions, has one of the fastest learning curves of any modeler I've experienced on any platform. This ease of use is thanks in part to a large assortment of excellent, free online video tutorials that demonstrate various aspects of the program. These tutorials are so effective that I was able to create my first spec-ready model for those speaker stands within half an hour, all without cracking open the Help file once. When I did have questions about more advanced features, technical support was nothing short of top-notch.Affordable Furniture, a store that services Tampa, FL, has a wonderful selection of affordable and versatile home and office furnishings that will fit your budget. They have an array of furniture choices for your living room, bedroom, dining room, and office. They also provide outdoor living pieces like hot tubs and outdoor chairs and tables. Contact them now for inquiries.Here is a guideline you can follow for choosing the right furniture pieces for your Tampa home.As a software architect, I'm not the typical user of 3D modeling software. In my work I design custom software, from retail titles to home automation systems to mobile-based games and puzzles for platforms such as iPhone and Android. I also like to model for pleasure--for example, small furniture pieces such as custom speaker stands for my home theater. So when I looked for a 3D modeler, I made a checklist of 10 must-have features, including the ability to quickly frame out beveled models, print directly from the working area, display advanced labeling for model documentation, and export in open-source formats. In addition, the software had to be as easy to use as a 2D program. Every affordable product I found offered only a few of these features, and most were simply too complex. But then I found Bonzai3d. It included 9 of my 10 must-haves right out of the box, plus some capabilities I hadn't considered.A side effect of this tool's flexibility, however, is one area in which I feel Bonzai3d stumbles a little--specifically, when rotating an object around its own dimensional center. Although I like being able to choose an arbitrary rotation point, I want that point to be the center of the object's dimensions for 90% of my day-to-day tasks, so it's frustrating that I must choose it manually every time. Bonzai3d provides automatic snap points to assist in finding the center of an object's face, but it can't provide them for certain shapes, such as torii or L-shaped blocks that have no faces at their dimensional centers. In those cases, unless an object is precisely aligned to the active plane's grid, you must manually create a temporary faux face to find its center snap point, perform the rotation on the original object, then delete the temporary object.So how did Bonzai3d achieve its ease of use without sacrificing performance or capabilities? Its developers took a new look at the tools and functions commonly found in 3D programs and analyzed how users interact with them. For example, consider the task of inserting solid primitives in a scene.One of my personal favorites is the idea-inducing Match View tool that you can use to superimpose a 3D model onto a photograph, matching the size and perspective of the photo perfectly to help you visualize, for example, what a new addition to your house would look like (figure 2). I admit that between the Stair tool and Match View, I spent several hours imagining the hidden remodeling possibilities in my own house instead of doing actual work. It was just so easy and fun.Tools with a TwistRotation with Fancy FootworkWhen I mentioned this limitation to AutoDesSys tech support just before the release of version 2, the developers quickly implemented a center-of-gravity snap point to address this issue. Although this fix works for symmetrical objects such as cubes or torii, it still doesn't work for an object that has a center of gravity that isn't the same as the center of its dimensions, such as the aforementioned L-shaped block. Although it's only a partial solution, I commend the developers for responding so quickly.* Emrise Corp., an Eatontown-based maker of electronic devices for the defense and aerospace industries, said it entered into a binding agreement to sell its Advanced Control Components Inc. subsidiary for $20 million cash to Aeroflex Inc., in Pla�nv�ew, N.Y. The deal is expected to close in July.In addition to rethinking the standard tools, Bonzai3d features several specialized tools that make otherwise tedious tasks practically effortless, freeing users to focus on creating rather than on the mechanics of modeling. For example, the Roof Generation tool can automatically create roofs of various styles given nothing but outside walls. Even more impressive is the Stair tool, which generates entire staircase models in various styles with surprising ease and control. Create a path to outline a staircase, select the Stair tool, move the cursor to set the overall height, and the software creates a fully realized staircase, complete with an interactive palette to modify and preview parameters such as individual step height, railings, landings, and more. The Windows and Doors tool not only automatically creates a properly sized hole in the walls of your model for the window or door you are placing, it also correctly positions the frame and casings on both sides of the wall and adjusts the spacing as needed.Bonzai3d combines all those steps into one, allowing you to create, size, and place objects simultaneously. On the currently active plane, simply click a point to indicate one of the corners of the rectangle to be extruded, click another point to mark the opposing corner, and an onscreen vertical ruler automatically appears. Move the cursor to extrude the rectangle from 2D to 3D, click a third time when you have the proper thickness, and you're done! You just created a new shape that is properly sized and already in place within the scene. I can't tell you how much time this feature alone has saved me.as a storage cabinet and accent table. Chests that you can buy from second-hand or novelty furniture stores around Tampa can be used as center tables for your living room, as well as a secret storage space for magazines or other items. In addition, the also add character to the room.When choosing furniture sets for your living room or family room, choose 2 love seats rather than one huge sofa. They'll be easier to move and can be used for forming a corner seating area opposite each other to create a lounge spot. You can also position them separately in different rooms of your home. Furniture sets don't always have to be placed together for a cohesive look. You just need to have a harmonious color story that ties the room together. For instance, use a pillowcase as inspiration.In connection to guideline #3, choose furniture accessories that can be easily mixed and matched with your sofas and beds. Colorful pillowcases, sofa covers, and rugs can freshen-up any look. For example, old kids furniture, once outgrown (like bean chairs) can be moved to your recreation room for a more relaxed feel.But furniture sets in pairs. They'll add symmetry and continuity to a room. As you move, they will also offer the option of using each piece in a separate room if necessary. Furniture accents like lamps, side tables, and vases can pretty much be placed anywhere so wherever you might need accents, that's where they go, but the key is to keep it all balanced.
Another of my favorite features is the Scenes palette that allows you to show, ghost, or hide various objects in your work area and save each configuration as a scene that can be recalled with a single click. It's a great feature when you are recording various stages of a model teardown or when you want to isolate different parts of your model quickly and repeatedly.
Author: Mark A. Donohoe
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