The Snowman With Trees Time Test

I recently submitted a reference to CB Model Pro to a well known blog site. In a comment response someone declared that 'one need only look at' and proceeded to mention a different 3D Modeling program. I had no issues with providing people a different option. But, the needs, skills and sensibilities of humans can be so radically different that I did have issues with the word "Only". It's far too restrictive and more than a little bit naive.

Going to the site he suggested, I was impressed that it was just another 3D Modeling program with a relatively complex interface. While you can certainly learn it, I seriously doubt that one could learn it as quickly as one can learn to shine in CB Model Pro.

However, one of the links in their beginners tutorial pages struck me as not only well done; but, described a task that would be a reasonable test of CB Model Pro's interface. So, I decided to see how long it would take me, a user for less than two months, to accomplish the task they described in CB Model Pro. Furthermore, whatever the result, I would capture the process and post it up here.

The task was to create a snowman and some trees. I have NO idea how long it might take in the other application; but, in CB Model Pro it took well under 10 minutes. And, in the CB Model Pro test, each tree was a bit different.

Here is the link to the video:

Snowman with Trees Time Test

Here is the link to the tutorial for the other 3D modeling program. It might be useful to compare the relative complexity of the processes.

Original Snowman Tutorial

The still picture at the beginning of this post was finished in PhotoImpact for, as of now at least, one cannot bring a background into CB Model Pro.

CB Model Pro Tutorial Movies

We've talked about how easy it is to use, and learn, CB Model Pro. But, the proof is in the seeing. So, we've created some tutorials, using real-time screen captures, so that you can see for yourself just how easy it is to work in CB Model Pro. Each of the 6 basic blob shapes are covered in this series of tutorials. Tutorial #4 uses several basic blob shapes to create a flower knick-knack that could be rendered on a 3D printer.

Tutorial #1 - Basic Blob Shapes (Sphere & Cylinder)
Tutorial #2 - Basic Blob Shapes (Cone, Cube & Sheet)
Tutorial #3 - Basic Blob Shapes (Torus)
Tutorial #4 - Combining Blob Shapes

Using CB Model Pro to Prototype Ceramic Designs

We found CB Model Pro while looking for 3D modeling programs suitable for designing abstract sculptures. Mudbox 3D is great for designing highly detailed models. But, when it comes to prototyping simpler ceramic objects, nothing can beat CB Model Pro for speed.

It's so easy to experiment with multiple shapes and approaches. And, the ability to rotate the image easily, from all angles, means that all aspects of the design can be evaluated before implementing in clay.

Here is a rather simple design that shows how remarkably the 3D model created in CB Model Pro actually looks like a fired and glazed ceramic vessel! While this model is a nuetral color, we can experiment with any color we'd like to see with a single mouse click.

From Torus to Fantasy Aircraft in 9 steps

There are 6 basic blobs that are the beginning point of your 3D Model in CB Model Pro. They are Sphere, Cylinder, Cone, Cube, Sheet and Torus. The Torus resembles a donut and at first, one wonders just what you can do with it. But, it doesn't take long before you discover that it is one of the most versatile shapes in the CB Model Pro arsenal.

Here is an image that shows how few steps it takes to go from a basic Torus to a fairly complex fantasy aircraft. None of these models took more than 25 minutes to complete. Much of the time was taken by deciding on the next design move... not the actual implementation.



Here are some other samples of aircraft created from a Torus basic blob.

CB Model Pro's 3D Environment

One of the nice things about using CB Model Pro is that it allows you to create multiple models ('blobs') in the design area... which is itself a 3D world. The following image demonstrates using several different blobs to create a composite 3D Model.

The tire is composed of two blobs, the tire and the rim. The character is composed of seven blobs. They are the head, upper torso, lower torso, eyes (2), shoes (2). Many 3D modeling programs limit you to one model per design screen.

This model was created in a little under two hours, most of which was pondering the next design decision.... "Should the rim have spokes or not..." etc. CB Model Pro, with its unlimited UNDO and REDO allows for a lot of experimentation in your design.

Introducing the CB Model Pro Fans Blog

This blog has been created as a place to share techniques and images created in CB Model Pro. At the time of this writing, CB Model Pro is in beta and available as a free download for the beta period.

CB Model Pro a 3D Modeling application from one of the world's premiere CAD companies, Solidworks. The thing that sets CB Model Pro apart from all other 3D modeling applications is a user interface that is less 'techie' and far easier to learn for those new to 3D modeling.

It's also faster to create 3D models with CB Model Pro. You will see this in a series of demos, done in real time that will be linked on this blog. We also have a companion site focusing on the children's version of this software called Cosmic Blobs. Most of the tutorials on the Blobfans Blog also apply to CB Model Pro.

Here is an image of some views of a robot created using CB Model Pro that was completed in a little over an hour.

CB Model Pro Robot Sample

Your first 3D Models ('blobs') won't go quite so quickly; but, we've only been using CB Model Pro for a little over 1 month so it won't be long before you, too, can create equally complex models in CB Model Pro.

You can download the beta at http://www.cbmodelpro.com. Be sure to log onto the forums to share your experiences with other CB Model Pro beta users.