Quite sadly now that Shark v9 will no longer have Constraints, though I will continue to use it since I also use Sub-D modeling, I need a "back up"

So I'm considering purchasing a license to Ashlar Vellum Cobalt v8. Does anyone who is familiar with the company (as I am not) know if they will continue to implement the constraints features in the Cobalt v9? I could not find a forum on their site.. Also Cobalt has the ability to make parts and assemblies which I wish Shark had.

(I used to be Misterrogers until something screwy happened with my account on here).


-Flatpack

Interesting! I had no idea, though I can see that the two programs appear to be built under a similar platform. I take it TurboCad is also related somehow in all this...?

I wouldn't consider Cobalt if Shark had Part/Assembly and continued to carry the Constraints functions. However I understand that there may not be as much demand for constraints vs. sub-d modeling. I just wish it didn't have to be a choice between the two and both were implemented. Kind of like an All-in-one cad package rather than having to switch between a couple of programs. As you know there is already a dearth of parametric solid modelers for the Macintosh.

-flatpack

Unfortunately I was unaware of Shark/ViaCAD existed or what ever it was called back in 2008 when I purchased Cobalt for around $4,000.00...price has dropped since then, and I wasn't sure what I was getting into back then being a newbie. Especially seeing how I don't use constraints. I should have not purchased more than Xeon. I had Ashlar's Draw LT program and was so impressed how easy it was to use that I decided to buy the Cadillac version of their line-up

Since 2008 I have been waiting for an Cobalt upgrade which never happened. A couple of the news letters talked about a v.9, but it is still v.8; nothing new since 2008 as mentioned above. Being more than just slightly irritated I decide to switch to another CAD program when I came across PunchCAD. I am impressed! Shark FX 9 is every thing I was hoping Cobalt would have evolved into. I will be purchasing Shark FX v.9 with Power Pack when funds allow.

If anyone is interested in buying my Cobalt I am will to entertain this idea.

Edited by user Sunday, January 4, 2015 4:19:45 PM(UTC)  | Reason: correct wording

Barabbas,

thanks for your infomation.
As a side note and as Rikard already stated earlier, the development of Cobalt stopped completely a couple of years ago.
Furthermore the ACIS kernel is still at version 16.0.1, well that's the mathematic engine making nice geometries possible.
That is one of the reasons - imho - why Ashlar will never be able to catch up with the fantastic progress achieved by
Tim O. and the Shark / ViaCad product line.

Just my 2 cts + best wishes
Bernd

If you type "Cobalt and Solidworks" you will hear the testimony of persons who use both on a same project. A file exists that translates between these two tools somehow different but somehow complementary. A 6-year experienced general industrial draftsman like me could not purchase expensive softwares; nor buy more than one software non-used by employers, colleges or universities where AutoCAD, CATIA (37500 cdn$ + 6900 $ per year for licence /maintenance), SOlidWorks and ProEngineer softwares are in their respective curriculum. Thanks for your explanation. I will look on the Web for some informations on Shark software. Bernard alias barabbas

Rikard, thanks for your comments. Didn't realize Cobalt was once 4-grand. Totally not worth that price considering a i can buy a seat of SW for exactly that amount. I am going to agree with you on Shark. Its a fantastic cad package for my type of work and a clean interface. I am slowly giving up the idea that i need constraints but will continue to maintain my v8 even when I eventually upgrade to 9. I just don't really need the sub-d modeling a whole lot, since I work with wood and metal. One of the only things I can see sub-d modeling being useful in for me MIGHT be in decorative carvings and intricate overlays which have lots of "peaks" and "valleys". Since most of them are case from a resin, sub-d modeling could be quite useful in designing the mold. To be honest, I don't ever even use surface modeling just the solid tools. So not sure if Shark LT or ViaCad would be enough..? I also do a lot of 2D drafting as well and want some more tools to make shapes in Shark. The drawing tools are OK, but lets try to add more tools that can draw more intricate shapes faster. Like a Star tool perhaps where you can change the angle and number of points. That's just one example.. the polygon tool is OK but could also be a star tool, no? More drawing tools for rapid form exploration!

Mr. Tim, please if you are reading this, note that I really want to be able to use Shark as a tool for realizing and exploring new shapes quickly. Sometimes I don't have a perfect design all made up in my head, and I want to throw out random geometry that isn't so rigid and "cad" like all the time. I suppose surface modeling can get me there, but can we develop new drawing tools that able to balance between making silly squiggles and meaningful shapes? Maybe like an "easel" or "slate" that you can switch back and forth and generate shapes with which to start. For me, I create some weird table top forms, and its hard to always do this with the ellipse / circle tools and arc tool only.


Btw is the Powerpack only for Sub-d modeling and 3D printing? I wish I could just buy the Woodworking pack of tools to go with my version of Shark v8. I'm sure there are a great many improvements, but I need those tools now, and can't afford the newly increased upgrade-price to v9.