Getting Started with Plasticity for Beginners | V1.4 Update | UI and Modeling Overview

[@blenderguru]

Great introduction. Thank you.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

You are welcome!

[@NiniaIDigitalArt]

a donut tutorial coming soon with Plasticity

[@osbornevoices]

When Blender Guru likes something, that's all I need to know to be engaged n ready to take it seriously!

[@theoddegg8462]

donut modeling tutorial for plasticity when???

[@samdavepollard]

only half way through but this is well done impressive how much you pack into less than 30 minutes many thanks for sharing your knowledge subbed

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad you enjoyed it! and thank you! I am planning out another plasticity series to add to the list soon!

[@EricDoggett]

Just got the full license with your code - thanks for the great tutorials you have been providing!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Awesome and thank you!!

[@sidekick3rida]

Such a great tutorial. The pace, order, and clarity was perfect. Thank you!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

You're very welcome! And thank you for the kind words!

[@toddspeck9415]

Just learned so many things watching this tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gustavogarcia7442]

No Plasticity videos are better than yours, GREAT job!!!!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@gregtracy9322]

Thanks for this. Definitely looking for more Plasticity content. It seems to fit a lot of what I need, a straight up modeler that isn't trying to be everything to everyone, where I can build what I need quickly and not break the bank, and mathmatically based so that I dont have to become some sort of mental contortionist to effectively and easily perform simple functions, like chamfers, fillets and booleans without destroying the geo. It's been on my to-do list to get better at using this for a while now, and I know a current project would have benefitted if I had had the time to do so. It's a lot more powerful than people give it credit for, and perfectly fills a need if you don't need a parametric modeler (how often do I really use that functionality in practice for my purposes?) or need to create drawings and such. Just a few more improvements here and there, and I have a feeling it'll be a must-have or go-to for most of my modeling needs. I just need to get more comfortable with it. It seems like every other day, I'll notice some function and say, "damn, i should have just used Plasticity for this."

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

awesome to hear and agree! Nick is trying to listen to what everyone wants in the software, which is great, but I think the direction it is going will still be the core "hard surface" modeler going to blender after the model is done, but with the capability to be good for users making 3d prints or just having fun.

[@cwalke32477]

Thank you so much for this demo. I've been looking for a good Fusion or DSM replacement that would run on Linux. I just downloaded it, and poked around for 10 mins or so, and already feel it's going to do just what I need.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad to hear it! We have an updated getting started set of videos in the current version of Plasticity posted last week if you are looking for more. One is for users coming from other programs while the other is for absolute beginners.

[@tanggang6824]

I’m never using fusion 360 ever again after seeing this, it’s so straight forward and easy.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

If you don't need the parametric CAD side of things to change dimensions, freeform modeling, or any of the extra stuff like CAM, simulation , sheet metal etc, you can't go wrong with Plasticity.

[@alexcooper83]

Really? No radial array for booleans. Fusion is a king of CAD. Not this blender shitty analog

[@goldstinger325]

@@alexcooper83 There's definitely ways to do the same thing without it. Funny how using creativity is one of the core necessities for CAD, yet you can't think of a single way around this simple issue for a fantastic CAD tool. Only a fool...

[@hisaka4725]

@@alexcooper83 Fusion is for hobbyist and definitely not king. SolidEdge is free to use with the community edition with no limits on the amount of what you do and you have a lot of moduls included in the community edition such as the generative design (if you try a bit you can export it, even with its limitation that says you can't) and simulation. You are the master of your file + it doesn't rely on your bandwith to work good

[@shifty1016]

@@alexcooper83It’s crazy that you talk crap about a program then you say Fusion is the “king of CAD” Holy moly. That’s about the dumbest take I’ve ever heard. And I’m someone that makes a big side gig living on Fusion. It’s far from the best parametric cad software. But hey, whatever man, you seem convinced!

[@brunoluz4240]

Wow! I don't know which is better, your explanation or the software! In about 40 minutes I learned this software from scratch. Thanks!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Wow thank you!

[@rasmus9311]

Very cool program, looks easy to be creative fast without any thing holding you back or slowing you down. Would almost dare to say revolutionary

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Nick who created the software took a hard look at a lot of different programs and really built it listening to a lot of feedback on what people want.

[@oqueeutofazendoaqui]

Thanks for the vídeo! How is the handle wirh STL files? Can I import and change?

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Not currently. I think there are features in the works that will let you work by snapping to a mesh, but currently you can import them as reference and that is about it.

[@yarugatyger]

Coming from Maya and a lot of artists I follow on social media and generally in the hardsurface space started using plasticity, going to give it a try. Generally just need it to create cool models I can use in Houdini.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Plasticity is a great tool for hard surface type models. a lot of Blender diehards still prefer that and something like cadsketcher add-on, but it just depends on your workflow. Plasticity doesn't have a modifier stack or history, but if that is ok for you it can really speed up those types. I would check out some of Refuge3D videos as he goes from plasticity into blender for rendering/viz stuff.

[@alexeydemidov2989]

Thank you very much. Really nice introduction, got me really excited when i tried this myself.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Awesome! We just did an updated version of this getting started with one version for users with no CAD and one for users coming from something else. We had feedback from both groups so hopefully that helps.

[@brendanchambeyron2263]

Love your work, such an empowering tutorial, purchased plasticity with complete confidence. Thanks Matt

[@melomaniakjm]

Great tutorial! Clear and to the point, thanks.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@charlied1420]

Great jump start on the basics. Thanks!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad it was helpful! We did a small series on basic modeling kzbin.info/aero/PLBDfGh8A8kXVIrO1aizPFmRBy-A-G9svk and have plenty of other content if you are looking for more.

[@iDreamOfOkra]

Great tutorial. The workflow looks so much like Blender!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad you think so!

[@yurylikhachev4628]

Thank You, very helpful for my first time Plasticity lunch.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mwparker1969]

Great introduction to Plasticity. Thank you!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad it was helpful! We did a 5 part series spending a bit more time on some basic modeling if you are looking for some more. kzbin.info/aero/PLBDfGh8A8kXVIrO1aizPFmRBy-A-G9svk

[@JonneytheKidd]

At 23:30 into the video, where he was creating that cutout on the side was very confusing. Maybe it was because I couldn't see or tell where his cursor was or was being clicked on, or maybe he was using shortcut keys, but it was impossible to follow. I kept getting Boolean errors. For some reason, I couldn't close up the hand-drawn panel on the side either.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

at 23:20 we hit O on the keyboard to offset the selected face. This tools is a bit tricky because the cursor location often makes it tough to get it to work. you can manually enter a value when you hit O. Try a negative small number and see if that gives you the offset you want. When we move to using the line tapping the shift key enables some relationships so you can get virtual snaps for things to be parallel or intersect. For closing up the hand draw section try selecting the point you want to move, hitting G to start the move command. Once the move command is active look in the bottom right corner for the options. the Freestyle option lets you pick the starting point and the ending point. the starting point is the current location of the vert you want to move, and the ending point is the one you want it to move to. Hopefully that works.

[@JonneytheKidd]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign Gosh, that does make sense when I go back and retry. Thank you kindly.

[@Akumeitakai]

Yeah! Hey! I learned how to mangle an object in Plasticity and believe-you-me, I like using it to make shapes a hell of a lot more than Blender. Day one of my 30-day, but I am strongly tempted to buy this with your discount code!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

We have a 5 part modeling series coming out next week on basic modeling approaches. 4 parts on modeling tools needed to do most anything, and a 5th episode where we walk through a design. Stay tuned!

[@450ktm520]

I use autocad and solidworks for work.For some reason i struggled with fusion... Going to try this for 3D printer and fusion for post cam CNC

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

I have some "absolute beginner" content on my site www.learneverythingaboutdesign.com for Fusion. I use solidworks and used to use Autocad so feel free to ask questions. I actually did an entire series for Autodesks KZbin on coming from Solidworks to Fusion, but not sure if its "live" yet.

[@larkinduval1882]

At my workplace, the engineers / machine shop use solid works. It looks intimidating, but thinking I may have to learn it.

[@rcguy2175]

please do more im very much a beginner to plasticity and never used cad programs before

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

I have a few more videos in the lineup planned.

[@rcguy2175]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign thank you

[@MrPanncakes]

Extremely well done tutorial! Best plasticity one ive found, I would pay for this, I couldnt find one on artstation.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad it was helpful! I am working on a modeling series on my site that will be available soon but there are a few playlists on this channel. A basic modeling one, car modeling and a general plasticity playlist.

[@JaimeWyant]

I create things for my 3d printer. A lot of times i need to make minor adjustments, for instance shrink a cylinder by 1mm. Are minir adjustments like this easy in plasticity?

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Yes and no . So you can go in and select the face of a cylinder and offset it by 1mm (or .5mm for the radius) for your offsets. But there isn't a sketch you can go back to and make that changed. I have a few videos on doing things like Print in Place models, hinges, and threads on the channel. We have some new features in the latest release that lets us add dimensions to features and edit them with the move command. this helps with hole positions for example.

[@JaimeWyant]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign I'll check your videos, thanks! I feel like I would like this better than fusion but I worry about not being able to easily change constraints (yeah I understand they don't exist, it's just how I think of *changeable" dimensions. 😀).

[@imertron]

Fantastic tutorial, man. Thanks for this!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dotexe4981]

Is there a way for it to snap to edges? For example, if I chamfer or fillet an edge and it is about to touch another edge, that it would snap to that edge. If it's not clear I will try to give a more detailed explanation. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

yes and no. well sort of :) When you are creating curves you can hold down CTRL and snap to other curves. When you are creating solids you can do the same thing. So say you are dragging a chamfer on a model. you can hold down CTRL and snap to other things. The "sort of" is that this is probably not going to give you the snap that you want in this specific case. it works great for things like extrudes but if you have an overlapping shape and you want to drag a chamfer to snap to say the tangent of a fillet, it probably wont get you there. you can move the object after and snap it t hough.

[@dotexe4981]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign Thank you

[@richardhaas1989]

I'm coming from sketchup 2017. I make cabinets. I have to render images for clients sometimes and need printed views with dimensions. Can do?

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Sadly no. I would suggest going to Autodesk Fusion if you need to make drawings with dimensions. I have some videos on making custom scripts to bring in cabinet sizes in csv format and configure them. and fusion now has configurations so you could make one cabinet, configure it and automate some of the drawing tasks.

[@JeremyClow]

Great beginner video...thanks!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad it was helpful! I am editing a 5 part beginner series now that should be out soon.

[@JBCool0729]

Still has bugs. What happen at 21:35.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

looks like at 21:35 I did an offset edge on the top face using O on the keyboard. then selected the face and pulled it down. Offset can be used to create edge divisions on the face of a model and also to offset the face itself like an extrude.

[@JBCool0729]

​@@LearnEverythingAboutDesignWhat this offset and pull had anything to with that corner disappearing. You Right away corrected by pulling it back.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

@@JBCool0729 what you see happen to the back right corner is clipping. its not cutting the model but there is a "bounding box" where something before it or after it gets clipped in the view. So if you have a really large cube. What is happening as i drag the offset downwards is that it was increasing the bounding box of the object and the view was getting clipped. This is true in other programs like Blender. Your objects get clipped. I don't think there is a way to manually change that BUT it has changed in newer versions than 1.4 that was in this video. Is that what you mean by the bug?

[@JBCool0729]

@LearnEverythingAboutDesign . yes but still don't understand why. Maybe a video would help

[@MSM5500]

"Traditional" CAD such as Siemens NX & Solid Edge, IronCAD and Spaceclaim do all that direct modeling together with parametric modelling at the same time.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

That is true, but they aren't as good at it and most of those are a lot more expensive too. IronCAD is the only one that is under $1000 in that list. NX i think is well over $10k. Solid Edge is very bad from a UI/UX perspective and is $2000. Spaceclaim, woof :) I don't even think they list their prices online. What i mean by they don't do direct modeling as well, programs like Solidworks for example made a "Direct modeling" toolbar and just stuck tools that have existed in it for a long time. But when push comes to shove and you try to move faces around for example, or add fillets to complex shapes it chokes. I have taken several models from Solidworks, Fusion and others that would not fillet or shell, and plasticity has no issues with it. Even though its build on the Parasolid Kernel it is a bit more flexible. But yes traditional CAD in nearly all flavors have direct editing. Honestly the closest one for me is Fusion. Turning off history and still being able to create detailed sketches but not capture history is the next quickest thing to Plasticity for me, but its not the right tool for everyone.

[@UnchartedWorlds]

Hi is it possible to move the circle 19:19 instead of the other shape?

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

At that point we grab a face and use Offset but when we use Move (G) you can certainly do that with the face of the circle/cylinder.

[@Keith-j5h]

Is this not a modeling program like Fusion 360 or autodesk inventor? Im looking for something to design a part and save it as a stl file for my 3d printer.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

It is, you can design parts for 3d printing. I have several videos in Plasticity for 3d printing, but "like Fusion" is tough. It is built on the same back end but Plasticity is considered a "direct modeler". So in fusion or inventor you create a 2d sketch, dimension it, then turn it into a solid. You can go back and edit that sketch and the solid updates. In Plasticity the curves (sketch) you create isn't linked to the solid. Once the solid is created you use direct modeling tools to increase its size/shape (with a few exceptions). There are tools like "Dimension" that have some limited ability to change the size/location of a feature like a hole but in general this is not the workflow of Plasticity. I would check out some of the videos I did like kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIaraXysjdKimqc so you can see a bit more about how Plasticity is used for 3d printing and decide if that works for you.

[@davidfrazier4358]

This is awesome! Great tutorial as well. I'm a 15 year Blender user and this just feels like home. Quick question: I'm using a MacBook Pro M3 which doesn't have a numpad, so I'm unable to get the hotkeys that toggle between views, front, side, etc. to work. In blender I can remedy this issue in the User Prefs, but I'm not seeing a way to get the views hotkeys working in Plasticity??

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Awesome! For the Temp Constructioni Plane you have to have a planar view selected. On the right hand side there is also a button for creating a construction plane from View. Its CTRL + SPace, but i imagine on a mac that would be Command. Its called "Plane from camera" on the construction planes section.

[@r3s47]

Love the video, I am working on a Mac and didn’t see the “freestyle move “ option , do you know what the issue is?

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Sadly I am not sure. that is the first I have heard of this. In the bottom right of the screen "freestyle" just isn't there? what happens if you hit F and select a start (from) and end (to) point on the screen?

[@r3s47]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign I figured it out. Thanks again.

[@immortalme111]

Damn, after an hour of struggle to get that side parallel shape completed with end points connected, I just gave up on that part, pressed G then F for freestyle but couln't snap them together

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Sorry to hear that! We recently did an updated getting started set of videos. One for those with no experience and one for those coming from another program. I tried to take feedback from folks and address them in the updated video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5rNeppjqM-Dm5Y When you free move an object you can also hold down CTRL to enable a snap to other geometry. This has its limitations but might be the answer.

[@manleyg4907]

I had never seen this software until now and coming from a Blender, Fusion and Maya background, this seems to be a polished Blender, in the areas they overlap of course. Some of the options you showed could be added to Blender too, like the CAD Transforms addon for the Grab -> Freestyle kind of stuff. But I didn't really see a whole lot in here (in this limited quick overview) that would make me want to pay the $300 USD for it over a free Blender. Especially considering Blender has decent sculpting and rendering tools, not to mention everything else it can do. I'm curious as too what your thoughts are of Plasticity. Would you actually recommend it over Blender for just modelling? Love your content by the way, thanks for this video, I've learnt about a cool new program!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Hey There, yeah Plasticity is meant to be a companion to Blender and not replace it. It is built on the Parasolid Kernel and is a BREP/NURBS modeler. So you aren't dealing with a mesh, but a true "solid" or "surface". Unlike things like Cad Sketcher for Blender that try to mimic CAD operations, this is a CAD program meant to ease in the Hard Surface type models that often take some care and creativity with edge loops and modifiers. I would say check out this video on Blender Bridge kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKvGoWegd6qMg80 Which has a real time link between Plasticity and Blender. If you are a good Hard Surface modeler in Blender with your Add-ons and you like that workflow you probably won't get much more out of Plasticity. But if you like a CAD workflow for direct modeling and then bringing those models over to blender or things like surface painter for doing materials, textures, rendering/animation then its worth a look :)

[@manleyg4907]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign Thanks for that explanation. If they could bring the parametric history to Plasticity, that would intrigue me a lot as that is one of the primary features I enjoy from Fusion. Or yes, if CAD Sketcher eventually gets to a point where it works flawlessly, then I could just go with Blender. If you know of software that has the history and precision modelling of Fusion but is somehow still a mesh modeller, please tell me, as this would be perfect! Again though, thanks for making all of this content, I have learnt a lot from you over the months. Your teaching style is so easy to follow along with.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

@@manleyg4907 I think history might be on the plasticity road map BUT its a low priority I am sure. They are adding Xnurbs and bumping up surfacing capabilites and i think will have some mesh based design tools like pulling a curve to a mesh. I don't know of of a history based modeler but still mesh. Fusion Forms is probably close but its direct modeling. IF you use that to start a design you can right click on the form body and export the control cage as an OBJ and bring that into blender. I did a video awhile back on that.

[@manleyg4907]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign That’s good to know! I will keep my eyes open for that then. Thanks again for all the work you do for us to learn 😁

[@timl9495]

Good video, but since Plasticity is not parametric (what I heard) how do you go back and change something, for instance what if you wanted to go back to the beginning and change your corner radius's?

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Correct it isn't parametric. there are some tools like "Dimension" that let you add a dimension to a feature and then using Move you can actually reposition it. But for your case on changing a radius you would just select that face. The offset tool is default and you can just start pulling that to make it larger or smaller.

[@W3D69]

I had bought the software on my macbook, But yet I didn’t get the license key, How long does it takes for me to get the license? I use your code discount and yes it work🥰 thank you for the discount coupon 🥰

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

hmm. it should be instant. the serial number should go to your email. double check your spam folder. If not you would need to reach out to the plasticity team. I can help if you have trouble getting ahold of them. and thanks!

[@hydeman75]

Super clear , i learn a lot , thanks !!!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Glad to help!

[@J-JACK]

is there a model size limit for plasticity? cuz like shapr3d is limited to 1km2

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Im not sure actually. I don't tend to model at those sizes. I just made a square that was 1000m x 1000m and there is some clipping that is happening and its not treating it like a closed profile to extrude. I tried 100x100m and still couldn't get it to treat it like a closed profile. Just below that it worked fine and could extrude up. I don't know how this affects modeling and scaling objects that large. For example I was able to make a 99 x 99m square, extrude it, then scale it larger than 100x100. So sorry to say I don't know but it would appear there is some sort of limitation.

[@nokiasix2759]

what about dimensions? i want to draw a shape but with specific dimensions...

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Plasticity can handle dimensional inputs and it has improved a bit in version 24.2.x, but it is still going to be very different than say making a sketch in Fusion. Think of Plasticity more as a direct modeler more than a parametric CAD program.

[@man_art_man]

Hello! I have one question regarding Polygons Definiiton while converting to FBX or STL. Is it possible to increase the mesh density for FBX/STL exprt?

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

there currently is no FBX export but with stl and obj you do have the ability to pick the topology (tris/quads/ngons) and you have control over loads of options like density.

[@bombproofbushcraft]

Great video. Your vids are easy to follow and great instructional guides on how to get familiar with the product. I am on a Mac and some of the keypad controls do not translate. My biggest issue is the extrude then difference. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. The first holes we made worked no problem. The last extrude difference function going laterally through the piece using the hand drawn lines would not work. I created a simple square, put a hole through it with a cylinder no issues. I then tried to do another extrude difference function on that same square using another smaller square and it would not perform. I also tried to extrude difference to a square with a hand drawn line triangle (extruded to go all the way through the square and it would not perform the function to create a hole. So I know the function works, but it seems fickle. I have tried the above describe exercises with all combinations of the point, line, face and object boxes checked and unchecked (upper right hand corner). It is a year old MAC pro with plenty of computing power (M3 max, 36 gig of memory running sequoia 15.1.1). Perferences are set to plasticity default, performance is set at normal for GPU rendering and normal for CPU faceting quality. I love how intuitive this program is, but there are certain things that are frustrating when they do not work as they should or only at time. Any help or advice you can offer Ould be great. Thank you.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Thanks, and wow sorry to hear about the issues! Since I don't have a Mac I can't really confirm what you are seeing, but you are the first one to mention it. When you do the extrudes with the hand drawn profiles, are they showing up as Closed profiles? And in the outliner on the left are they showing up in the Solids section? Reason I ask is because if you select a closed profile but select the curve and not the profile in the middle, you can extrude but it gives you a sheet (surface) and that won't work as an extrude tool. It would work as a cut tool though. You could try selecting the profile and using C for cut. Other than that I would say email me a file [e-mail] , one that won't work with the extrude and i can try on my side and see if there is something I noticed. On the controls not translating do you mean just the CTRL vs CMD and ALT vs Option? or something more than that?

[@bombproofbushcraft]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign I will go back through the video this weekend and complete the excercises again and see if what you mentioned is the issue. Since am just learning the new software from scratch with little to no 3D experience I can not say I know exactly what you are talking about but will keep your comment primed for when I get to that part of the video. Keep doing the great vids, I have been watching your vids while I am at work and waiting on docks to open (I drive a delivery truck). Take care and I REALLY appreciate your taking the time to reply and give some advice!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

@@bombproofbushcraft Happy to help. You should check out this updated video as the one here was version 1.4 and there may be some slight changes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5rNeppjqM-Dm5Y that new video was done in the most recent version about a week or so ago. We also have another video just on curves which might help better understand construction planes and curves in general.

[@bombproofbushcraft]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign Thanks for the update video link. I am on it now. I also hunted down an old Mac keyboard with a number pad on it to see if it helps. You have no idea how much it helps and how much I appreciate your replies. take care, and thanks again for everything!

[@mattecrystal6403]

How do you effectively work at mm level? My printer has base plate of 200mm by 250mm I set grid to this. but it makes the grid microscopic. I was able to zoom in a ton and shrink the objects I was working with. But if I pan at all the camera moves a metric mile away from what I'm working on.

[@mattecrystal6403]

Actually I closed and re opened software and it seems to of fixed itself

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

If you take a look at the latest video i did here kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIaraXysjdKimqc we start by setting up the grid and i mention setting it up to your build plate size. that helps me at least.

[@DisabledGuy]

I'm disabled and use a tracker ball and can't seem to move the model around. Please can you help. It's a 3 button tracker ball. So, I don't want to buy the app if I can't use it.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Hmm, that is one i haven't heard before. I would have assumed the tracker ball style mouse would work the same as any other mouse in the system. In your user preferences what is the setup for navigation? You could try a different navigation preset and see if that makes any difference. Was there anything special you had to do in your system to use that tracker ball in other applications?

[@DisabledGuy]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign Hi. No, the trackerball works find in all my 3D design apps like TinkerCad and all my CAD app, or am I doing something wrong? I can move the work space up and down and side to side not round same with the model. | can send you a screen video if you got a email.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

@@DisabledGuy [e-mail] you are welcome to send me something but since i don't have a trackball I will be guessing at solutions. With plasticity rotating is typically done with the middle mouse button and moving the mouse. So whatever your middle mouse button is I would assume you would have to press that down and roll the track ball. Right mouse button and track ball should pan. At least with the default settings.

[@bookofthoughtsx]

How do I switch to orthographic view on a laptop?

[@bookofthoughtsx]

I'm using a mac

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

You will need to configure a shortcut or use the Perspective/ortho button in the upper right. It looks like a grid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/naipfpuPgLZ5asU That video i talk about using a laptop (windows) but the process of configuring the shortcuts will be the same.

[@haansworsie]

How do add solidity to a design, like for instants you want your design to have 5mm walls ?

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

The design is solid to start, but if you want to shell it there is a tool call Hollow you can use which will. You can also offset faces. If you have a surface (sheet) you can thicken it.

[@anarpearls9785]

how to pan on a laptop? cant figure this out; can zoom, rotate but cannot pan

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Pan should be the Right mouse button. Do you have a left/right button with your trackpad? What did you do for your navigation preset. there is "touchpad" which i believe if you use both fingers you can pan.

[@thewednesdaynightbiblestudyon]

I have a CNC plasma cutter. I’ve been using the free version of Fusion 360 and Sheetcam. Does Plasticity export DXF files that I can post process on Sheetcam?

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Sadly no there is no DXF export. Your best bet is to export a 2d sketch from Fusion, a 2d drawing, or sheet metal flat pattern. I don't know of a dxf export on the horizon for plasticity as generally the workflow wouldn't go to 2d but rather into more 3d for things like rendering/animation.

[@thewednesdaynightbiblestudyon]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign. Ok thank you!!! I hate that since Plasticity looks good.

[@moncef0147]

I just got plasticity, I'm pretty happy with it so far, but the camera keeps doing this really strange thing of snapping at set angles, it's just bizarre and i haven't found any way of disabling that behavior.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

That is strange. Does this happen when you just free rotate the part? If you hold down ALT, and the middle mouse button then drag a direction it will snap to the nearest plane. but just holding down the MMB shouldn't do that.

[@AnthonyFransella]

I like plasticity so far. Hope they add a quad view sometime.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

I think i saw that in the list of improvements asked for so fingers crossed. I don't like to model that way but a lot of people do.

[@AnthonyFransella]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign I grew up with Lightwave 3D, it's in my DNA :D

[@BlueFrog-HappyTunes-r1i]

Cool video and great sofrware.. but! I will never understand why to use G instead of W :)

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

It comes from Blender :) Why G? who knows(well someone probably does). I think because most of the shortcut keys should be left hand accessible. G/R/S are kind of how the hand falls. Either way you can change it in Plasticity if you want to. Bring up the search (F) for tools, search for move, then right-click and change the shortcut for it.

[@MaciejPtaszynski]

Thx! You convinced me! I’ll buy studio version today/tomorrow :)

[@regomag8801]

So how long does the purchase fee last on this program .. or do you have to pay year to year.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

You own it for life. Plasticity is not a subscription model BUT when you buy you will be locked into certain upgrades. generally 12mo with major releases. There are options to upgrade your license as well. www.plasticity.xyz/#pricing At the top check out Renew if you want to see the upgrade structure.

[@kiritvara257]

i been using Fusion 360, can one make dimension drawing?

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Sadly no. Plasticity doesn't have drawings and honestly I doubt that it ever will. it is meant to be a CAD program to help with rapid concept development for mainly downstream work like rendering/animation. It can be used for 3d printing and other manufacturing but its not a history based parametric CAD program.

[@227giorgio]

Im leaving fusion 360 my biggest thing before i know this will my main playeform. Is 3d scanning something into mesh then being able to design off that

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Not currently with Plasticity no. You can import an OBJ mesh but its basically just a reference. you can't model on it or snap to it. So if you are looking for a scan to design workflow I do suggest you stick with Fusion. It is the best right now in terms of what you get for the price.

[@JBCool0729]

Any way i even couldn't try this program. Is just said you have so many days left but no selection to enter the program. Just enter the serial number or purchase that's all. I wasn't the only person with the same problem.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Sorry to hear that! I am not sure what that problem would be. Not being directly affiliated with them I don't really have any answers for you other than the license support people were very responsive for me when i went through the normal email channels.

[@JBCool0729]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign I'm not blaming you I'm just saying I couldn't even try it. And when I searched there were others with the same problem

[@peterthinks]

The Page of commands is there but the PDF link goes nowhere

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Try to go here doc.plasticity.xyz/ in the left side there is a "Command List & Shortcut Keys" It should be displayed right on the page.

[@mjroberts725]

Perhaps this was done on purpose as there were numerous Blender parallels stated in the tutorial, but there is not enough emphasis on precision modeling. The only part of the process that included a precise measurement was the size of the original square. I understand that this is "CAD for artists" but some "artists" (read: designers) need the precision inputs for one reason or another, whether it's making parts to be engineered, 3D printed, a meticulous workflow, or to appease one's OCD. After watching this and not seeing any precision makes this software look like a Blender, Maya, or C4D substitute, which is nothing new in the world of 3D modeling. However, this is still piquing my interest, and I'll look for other tutorials to see if precision takes a front seat in the modeling process for designing things that will eventually be created in the real-world.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

100% get what you are saying. It is not really intended for that kind of dimension driven modeling. You can make things a certain size when you create them. Add certain sized features, pattern at specific spacing etc. But I wouldn't use Plasticity and the term "Engineered" in the same sense of the word. I did a video talking about the dimensions/measurements portion of plasticity a little bit ago here kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXK3dIWPj7B4bbc The main reason Plasticity exists is to model BREP/NURBS type geometry that is generally tricky to do in Poly modeling like Blender. Here you are modeling solids and surfaces like you would in a CAD program, but with more freedom around that workflow. For concepting "hard surface" models Plasticity is a great tool. If you are designing something that requires 3deg draft pulled in a certain direction it could be done in Plasticity, but you are better off sticking with a parametric cad program where you can define those values, link them and drive/change them later.

[@mjroberts725]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign Thanks for the reply. In your experience, how does the program fare in larger, multi-part models/scenes? Full transparency, I'm a designer in the retail/tradeshow sector so I'm modeling more than just single "thing" but rather many parts of a whole. I work exclusively in Rhino, and I'm not really looking to jump ship as this workflow suits me well, but learning new programs are always a plus for the resume.

[@TheShift1313]

@@mjroberts725 Honestly I would say it probably isn't a good fit. The only place I could see it make sense is to put together concepts quickly. Like you could put something together, export the BREP solid as a STEP and bring it into Rhino. Are you using Rhino 8 currently? I have been waiting to try that since the SubD stuff in 7 was still pretty bad. Was hoping 8 and updated edge weighting would help out. Personally i think if Rhino had more than one person doing the UI/UX it would be a great program. Tons of power/functionality but the workflow really hinders it in my opinion. What do you use now for render/viz stuff? that might make a check in the Pro column for Plasticity as going to Blender is super simple. But if you go to something like Keyshot that is a different story.

[@johnathan133]

Nice tutorial.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Thanks!

[@rogerramjet69]

the issue i find is that alot of shortcuts use the number pad and since I use a laptop for everything I dont have that functionality :(

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Yeah i hear that from laptop users. you can do custom keyboard shortcuts and key binding. that might help? doc.plasticity.xyz/plasticity-essentials/command-palette

[@xrok1]

Or buy a usb numpad if you do lots of modeling

[@rcguy2175]

Is this relevant to the current stable version

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

For the most part yes the workflow and whats in the video is still the same. I did a Whats New video for version 24.1.1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ7TnpVrgpebaZY The description of that video has a comprehensive list of what has changed including minor/major enhancements Here is a short list of what you may notice. Offset Face now has dependency which means it can terminate at another face which you could do with "Match Face" in v 1.4 Pipe gizmo has changed a bit to make it easier to use. The right-click to confirm is now a 1 click thing vs in 1.4 it was 2 clicks. Other than those 3 things, the workflow in the video should be accurate.

[@rcguy2175]

@LearnEverythingAboutDesign in the new series do you go over the ui for beginners

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

@@rcguy2175 The UI hasn't really changed at all so it should be relevant. I do have a 5 part beginner series on modeling workflows in plasticity. kzbin.info/aero/PLBDfGh8A8kXVIrO1aizPFmRBy-A-G9svk The main ui difference between 1.4 and 24.x.x is that your right mouse click to confirm is only one click now where it used to be two clicks. The beginner series doesn't have a basic UI overview but we go pretty slow through concepts and feel free to ask questions.

[@uzairbukhari99]

Very nice tutorial, I love it. Thorogh explanation. Subd + bell so I don't miss any plasticity content!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Thank you very much!

[@thanatosor]

Problem with this amazing modeling tool is it's not parametric where I need it ( Ex: just drag a square, once it's done then you can't adjust the exact size ).

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

There have been some nice updates since that video. Check out the updates to dimension/measure here kzbin.info/www/bejne/goSklGerrt2Hl9E you can use dimension and the measure tool to precisely locate features. its not a true parametric control but its improving.

[@thanatosor]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign Do they plan on adding parametric edit feature on edges ?

[@luisachadinha4465]

I love Blender, but i love the way this program can bevel 3 edges correctly....not in blender.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Yeah some things are just easier on BREP solid bodies! There are features that let you start/stop a fillet or bevel/chamfer along an edge too which would be impossible on a mesh with a modifier. Plasticity has a "Blender Bridge" which is a live connection between Plasticity and Blender (one way) to bring your models into Blender. We have a video or two on the process.

[@อีลอนคาร์ก]

Thank you bro

[@singken4445]

great tutorial

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Thanks! If you are just getting started we also have more beginner and advanced content. Here is a beginner playlist for basic modeling strategies. kzbin.info/aero/PLBDfGh8A8kXVIrO1aizPFmRBy-A-G9svk

[@mjl1966y]

Created and arc. Connected the endpoints with a line. It did not create a face and would only extrude edges. Next...

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

was your selection filter in the upper left of the modeling area set to edges? If you have all (5 or tab on the keyboard) or set it to faces (3 on the keyboard) that will let you select those closed profiles. The only reason it shouldnt is if you don't have the face selection on.

[@hempstead.studio]

Thank you!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

You're welcome!

[@c4dworld236]

Please make a series

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

I have a car modeling series in Plasticity. Are you looking for a mechanical part modeling series?

[@razorsharpgaming3324]

People who have plasticity and who have experience with blender, is it better or worse then blender (I’m coming from blender)

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

It isn't really meant as a replacement but a companion in my mind. There is a Blender Bridge( i have a few videos on it) that is a live connection between them so you can take your solid models from Plasticity into Blender. If you are ok with hard surface modeling in Blender, and using booleans and a modifier stack then you are probably ok not using Plasticity. But it does give you the ability to make Solid and Surface models, not mesh models.

[@razorsharpgaming3324]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign thank you! 👍🏻

[@kaizeraznan]

This is like Canva for fusion 360

[@ProjectDefi]

im so lost. this says for beginners lol. this is going to be interesting.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Uh Oh :) I have done a few of these with different updates to the software as they change a bit. I think from your other comment you said you have never done any 3d cad work. Plasticity is a bit different than most and users who come from other programs like Blender pick it up quickly. I do have a playlist of the basic modeling workflows kzbin.info/aero/PLBDfGh8A8kXVIrO1aizPFmRBy-A-G9svk

[@ProjectDefi]

@LearnEverythingAboutDesign thanks. I'll figure it out. I'm using my laptop also. Stupid number keys. If I buy a Microsoft Bluetooth number pad will that work? I was confused about that for awhile. Jaja I'm special. I'll learn eventually 🤞

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

@@ProjectDefi kzbin.info/www/bejne/naipfpuPgLZ5asU Not sure if you have watched the video I did on using a laptop for plasticity

[@ProjectDefi]

@LearnEverythingAboutDesign just realized this. After being an idiot for hours. Bro I'm special be patient. I'm very intelligent but overlook super simple concepts

[@mjl1966y]

Really feels like it's based on Blender.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

It was meant to be a companion to model solids/surfaces and a lot of the defaults are blender like. such as move/scale/rotate

[@renderuthis]

"Short cut keys have changed"!!! I hate that!! Whats wrong with developers!! My wife moved the trash and it took years before I stopped looking under the sink for it. I spent years learning blender 4.9 to 6.9 then stopped because they do not understand how difficult it is for some people. 6.9 is the best interface, they can say it all day long but 7.0 + sucks, and whatever they did with layers sucks. It was impossible to improve on, no matter how much Blender says it is better. There needs to be a guarantee they will not move the furniture around every day like my wife does before someone like me put 5 years learning every day into it. one time she moved the bed and I fell on the floor in the dark because it was not there. I would have switched to Maya but I had so much time invested in Blender.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Which keys changed? I know the frustration! Since I teach i generally leave everything as default, but in Plasticity you can configure the shortcuts. When you use F to find/search for a command. right click on it and you can assign a new shortcut if you want to.

[@sob515]

Why wont you just use blender with some cad plugins ? Looks almost identical and it's free.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

They are very different. Plasticity models with BREP solids and NURBS surfaces. these are actual solids and surfaces and can be used a step files. Blender only creates mesh models. Mesh modeling can't produce a cylinder, and adding details requires edge loops and/or the use of a lot of booleans in a modifier stack. Plasticity lets you model hard surface type models faster and more accurate. If you want to use them in Blender there is a blender bridge which is a live direct connection allowing you to bring the model in to blender, retopo it if you need. pull edges/seams etc. and if you edit in plasticity it will update in Blender.

[@sob515]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign Interesting, ill check it out. I'm currently looking for F360 replacement but this direct modelling does not convince me.

[@TheShift1313]

@@sob515 What don't you like about Fusion. that might help.

[@sob515]

@@TheShift1313 It's dead slow and bugged on macos, keeping all projects in cloud is annoying, only 10 projects editable allowed in free version. It's intuitive and easy to use but being forced to use cloud is disqualifying. I can already see that plasticity also has some serious performance issues on M2 mac's like 100% gpu usage all the time.

[@rogerramjet69]

also your pdf download is a dead link

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

I have no affiliation with that site, simply providing the link. I would go off the website as the name on the PDF is v1.2 so would be out of date.

[@tracybrown6004]

Difficult to follow at times, especially when using multiple concepts at once. Lots of information, but as a tutorial, it was lacking clarity.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Sorry to hear that but thank you for the feedback! As this was an update to an older getting started video that was longer I only pulled out the common workflow info.

[@tracybrown6004]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign I did get a lot from the video, and definitely intended my comment to be constructive. I would really like to see a tutorial that is easier to follow, and one that uses precise measurements rather than freehanded. Thanks again.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

@@tracybrown6004 This video I released when 1.4 came out with the dimensions which might help understand how Dims work (and how they don't work), but it wasn't meant to be an intro/beginner video into Plasticity. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXK3dIWPj7B4bbc

[@qaesarx]

Yes, but history even in Blender (not only CAD) is EVERYTHING. Its non-destructive! In Blender this is achieved by modifiers and Geo Nodes. Without history, you cannot adjust a project easily later. You have to do ALL the work AGAIN! This is a NO go for me. This is a great program, but it needs to have history or geonodes or modifiers added. This is a must if a client needs to modify the design in the later process!

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Thanks for sharing! I think it "depends". I come from CAD and would agree that history based is key to a lot of designs. but direct modeling is pretty powerful. I guess it comes down to what types of models you make and what changes are needed. Plasticity may see History in the future FYI. It has been discussed on the beta discord channel.

[@qaesarx]

@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign that’s good to know they will do it. I will definitely keep a big eye on this software. With history would be a true game changer!

[@dchurch911]

I agree. History and the ability to modify is a huge part functionality. A workaround for lack of history is to "save as" as you develop a model, especially before adding a key element. Another option is to develop seperate files as parts then combine them. This prevents you from having to start over from scratch.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

@@dchurch911 You can also duplicate the bodies you are working on and save a version of it. Similar to how you work in multi-body parts where you derive something out, except here its independent. I do this in Fusion Forms all the time. Make a clean base shape and dupicate it before adding details. When i get to a point where i want to explore something ill duplicate it again leaving an untouched version in case i need to take a step back (even though Fusion saves a version each time).

[@dexigner01]

It is worth noting that although there isn't a timeline option, plasticity makes it very intuitive to delete bevels, champhers, close a hole and remove other executions instead of going back. Only exceptions I can think of are loft sweep and arrays. I found it fairly non destructive overall.

[@RichM1967]

OK So 13 min in I am lost as you're assuming that we all have numpads. When you start and say, "Hit 7", and your display changes -- I can't follow along and make mine look like that. I googled it and it says there should be a preference setting for keypad -- there is no setting in my plasticity for a keypad. I am not going to continue and be lost because you're doing things I can't do. So this is where I abandon your video. I am already frustrated because you're not taking into account I have ZERO experiance with this software. You're blowing through fundamentals or moving to fast through them because you're forgetting we don't know how to do this. Show by example not by just clicking fast and making a cube wiggle.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

I am sorry the process isn't working! I don't use Plasticity on a laptop, but i think i do mention in the beginning about the UI overview that you can click on X, Y, and Z in the view cube up in the right to get to the default planes. Very rarely am I called out for going to fast in videos ;) If anything people tell me to get to the point quicker :) This video is an update that combined several other videos that were done in v1.1. There are some changes but I do have longer videos in this playlist that cover the UI a bit slower if it helps. If you are using a mouse with a middle mouse wheel you can try holding down ALT, then hold down the middle mouse wheel and moving the mouse to the left/right/up/down. This will snap to the next closest ortho view like Front, Right, Top etc. As for setting your shortcuts. Hit F on the keyboard to bring up the command search tool. Look for Viewport, you should see them listed like "Viewport: navigate to back" and it will say "CTRL+Numpad1" for example. If you right click on that you should see some options to assign shortcuts. Hopefully that helps. Coming to Plasticity can be very tough since its a shortcut heavy program. Users coming from Blender usually have a better time than users coming from anything else.

[@timm7778]

way too fast....and you are explaining and SHOWING what to do to do what you are doing, you are just madly moving the model without explaining how you are doing it...fail

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Sorry to hear that tim. This video was an update and i tried to put a lot into. If you go back to the older videos in this series they are a bit slower but note the software version has updated and some things are slightly different. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJmnZaiMh9qBpLssi=4jHe7b4qlWDIJDsV What would your ideal setup/tutorial be? maybe we can accomodate.

[@shamancredible8632]

It looks handy, but the only thing that keeps me from getting it is the fact that it costs money. And that means they can reject my purchase at any point for any reason. Not future proof at all, and highly exploitative.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Not sure I understand your comment. what do you mean they can reject your purchase at any point? This is a perpetual license software, not a subscription based software. When you buy you get updates for a set period but you own that version of the software. You can choose to upgrade to newer versions ( i think that pricing structure is still under discussion), but you are not required to. So not sure how you mean its not future proof and highly exploitative.

[@227giorgio]

Bahahha.

[@joelrob8606]

Merci.

[@gmuk101]

When Fusion is basically a free software, I don't see the point. Is this better?

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

Different strokes for different folks really. Fusion is free for hobby users but not commercial use. I am grandfathered in but most pay about $500/year for commercial use. Really the big thing with Plasticity is that it is a local install perpetual license. That appeals to a large base of user. Plasticity is like a companion to Blender. So its aim is more for render/viz/game/movie type models. Plasticity is often only part of a workflow. Fusion is more for the mechanical designer. Someone who needs to make an injection molded design, or CNC machine a part, or simulate how it performs under load. Because Fusion is free for hobby users there was a large contingent of people who were using it, or MOI or Shapr3d to do "hard surface" models that are typically difficult in a mesh program. So that is the long way to say it is better for some users that want a direct modeling program to export their designs for rendering/vfx type work.

[@man_art_man]

Great introduction. Thank you.

[@LearnEverythingAboutDesign]

You are welcome!