BricsCAD Shape: A New Concept Modeler – But SketchUp Is Still the One to Beat
Michael Alba posted on January 23, 2018 | 32 views
The desktop interface of BricsCAD Shape, with some meticulous design work courtesy of the author.
CAD software provider Bricsys has released a new 3D conceptual modeling tool primarily for architects. BricsCAD Shape is meant for quick 3D design work. It follows in the vein of similar tools like SketchUp and Autodesk FormIt.
Like its competitors, BricsCAD Shape attempts to make it easy for designers to generate their ideas in 3D, offering a library of common architectural components and materials alongside straightforward shape generation tools. According to Bricsys, where BricsCAD Shape differentiates itself is that its “CAD-accurate from the start.” That’s because it uses the same parametric and modeling engine (ACIS) in Bricsys’ BricsCAD Platinum CAD software.
BricsCAD Shape files also open directly in Bricsys’ BIM platform, BricsCAD BIM, which the company claims will accelerate your BIM workflow. Autodesk FormIt, on the other hand, is natively integrated with Revit, Autodesk’s flagship BIM platform.
In that respect, the biggest difference between Shape and FormIt is the price. BricsCAD Shape is completely free, whereas FormIt is tiered into a free and pro version. If you want the extra power of FormIt Pro, you’ll have to shell out $2690 per year for the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering, and Construction…