Product Review: IMSI Design TurboCAD Mac Pro 8

It has been over a year and a half since we last reviewed IMSI/Design’s venerable TurboCAD Mac Pro, now at version 8. As noted in our last review, IMSI/Design’s overall family of TurboCAD CAD products competes primarily against Autodesk’s market share leading AutoCAD as “generalista supremo” of electronic drafting environments. And while the days of 2D CAD are far from over, like its many rivals, TurboCAD has long had solid 3D capabilities, these days powered by Spatial’s powerful ACIS geometry modeling kernel.

Any veteran Architosh reader knows that this site can talk the “kernel” talk like no other. Take a look at our extensive coverage of the new Vulkan graphics API and you will see that getting to the technology behind the technology matters to us. And it should to you as well if you are in the market for software in the CAD industry.

Key Modeling and ACIS Improvements

Since a major set of features in the latest TurboCAD Mac Pro involve the incorporation of the Spatial ACIS release 24, we can start our review there.  For readers who are totally new to TurboCAD Mac products, our last review includes a bit of an introduction to how the program works. (for learning purposes…).

Back in 2013, TurboCAD Mac Pro was powered by Spatial ACIS R 22. Now in version 24 of the modeling kernel (aka: engine), TurboCAD Mac Pro gains many new advantages. The chief one among these is that TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 is now fully 64-bit. ACIS R24 itself introduced new 64-bit binaries for its Mac version and in the process deprecated the 32-bit version for the platform. Another big change related to overall performance of the latest TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 is that ACIS R24 delivers binaries for the Mac platform that are thread safe. This applies to multi-threaded operations—using more cores or processors on your Mac.

You may be curious to know what is meant by “thread safe” as it relates to ACIS R24 and its explanation bears value on this review. In a nutshell, the tricky business of using “multi-threading” in code development is making sure that individual threads do not compete for shared resources such as shared memory. When two threads write concurrently to the same shared memory resource problems can occur. Thread management is an important aspect of “multithreading” and the overall effectiveness of utilizing the latest CPU processors with many cores.

Core ACIS R24 Benefits 

There are several new modeling features that come about because of ACIS R24 in version 8, but before we get to those we should summarize the core benefits as well.

• New fully 64-bit only (TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 requires 64-bit native OS X machines)
• Thread safe multi-threading
• Faster load, process and render of larger models and assemblies (directly relates to multi-threading notes above)
• 2.3 GB model limits have now been lifted to working with models of any size (only limited by on-board memory within your Mac system)
• Some boolean operations operate up to 60 percent faster (Spatia’s data)
• New and enhancements to Meshes
• Faster file saves, especially with larger models

On the second to last point about Meshes, TurboCAD Mac Pro version 8 now features new Quad mesh and Subdivision modeling tools. Let’s look at those next.

New Quad Mesh Tools

New in TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 are Quad Mesh modeling tools. Quad meshes, versus triangular meshes, offer other types of benefits, including the use of ring or loop selection tools in other 3D software programs. They are also useful for UV mapping.

In TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 a range of Quad mesh tools are available, including a mesh surface, mesh sphere, mesh block, mesh torus and, importantly, mesh skin. There are also mesh extrude, where you can extrude an arc, for example, and mesh lathe and mesh cover. The last tool on this palette is the subdivision tool. (see image 01 far tool on right)

With a mesh block, for example, the user creates the x, y and z dimensions of the basic block. A block mesh is made up of six quad mesh faces, each with its own grid blocks based on #X, #Y and #Z numeric input fields. Those fields can be edited before or after the mesh block is created.

The subdivision tool then enables the user to specify the level of mesh subdivisions, adding vertices and surfaces (quads), to surfaces to increase smoothness. Two choices for SubD’s include Faceted and Catmull-Clark method. Faceted smooths the mesh by subdividing the quads incrementally by three faces. Catmull-Clark is an algorithm that subdivides the existing faces and edges to smooth the quads.

When working with the new quad mesh tools and using subdivision, the user can control-click (left click) to bring up a context menu with numerous options, among them Show Subdivision. The result is a red colored subdivision surface grid showing the smaller faces generated by either of the two subdivision methods (Catmull-Clark or Faceted). (see image 04 below).

Importantly, while quad meshes enable complex smoothed shapes, they start essentially from one object type that is manipulated using the Gripper tools to pull discreet parts (faces) of the overall subdivision surface. From this process it is possible to create just about any smooth-bodied object, from a teaspoon to a concept for an atomic force space craft. (see next series of images – 05 – 06)

In our final space ship model concepts you can see that surface formation is rather infinite in possibilities. In terms of degree of subdivisions possible, the limit we ran into is four (4) levels of smoothness.  This is not a limitation of the Catmull-Clark algorithm, but perhaps a limit set by IMSI-Design itself within the framework of the ACIS R24 modeling engine.

next page: More Modeling and Woodworking Tools

More Modeling and Woodworking Tools

There are a range of all new woodworking joinery tools, which are technically a modeling feature set. So before we jump into those let’s complete the notes on all the modeling improvements. The big ones were the quad mesh tools mentioned above. Smaller items include improved 3D linear duplicate for creating copies of objects in 3D space. This includes a polar array improvement too.

There is also the ability to independently select and modify elements within a group. This is called Deep Select. When you have a group of, say blocks, you can select them as a group with the Select tool. Using the Deep Select tool you can choose an individual block. However, if you modify a block in some way creating a secondary feature, that provokes the Select Ambiguity palette. (see images 07 – 08).

To make this a bit clearer, look at image 07 above. I have two blocks in a group. If I use the regular Select too to select a block that has a translated feature, the Ambiguity palette is provoked giving me the option of selecting the group or the translation element only. Next, if I use Deep Select, and I select the same element, I get the Ambiguity palette again but this time the group itself is not an option. This can be difficult to get use to. As it is, the Ambiguity palette (which Architosh has commended as a feature in the past) provides choices to the user. But with Select versus Deep Select, the Ambiguity palette presents different results that may throw the user off—which was clearly the case for me during this review.

I must admit I am baffled a bit by the logic of this decision as it seems to force me into the decision-making process of what selection tool to have at hand if I should want the option to select “groups” at any time. I would find the Deep selection tool more handy if the Ambiguity palette allowed me the option to choose Groups also.

Woodworking Tools

In TurboCAD Mac Pro 8, IMSI/Design has decided to create a dedicated set of woodworking modeling tools. Even though I am not a woodworker (yet!) I do know quite a bit about cabinetry being a practicing architect; therefore I was naturally interested to try these tools out. The menu for these tools doesn’t find itself in the main tool bar, but must be brought out from within the Windows menu commands. The Windows menu contains several other dedicated functional domain tools so the woodworking tools are hardly isolated and without company.

The goal of the new woodworking tools is for modeling furniture and cabinetry—in detail. TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 can easily model all the sophisticated German cabinetry hardware found in today’s modern cabinets, but what about the basic prepping of panels for the wood part of the cabinet itself? That’s what these tools are for.

With a dedicated tool for each type of joint, the new tools allow the user to quickly model a rabbet joint, dado joint, miter joint, dovetail joint, and tongue and groove type joints. Within these joint types there are several options. For instance, you can create dado joints that include stopped dados as well. Each joint type operation begins by selecting the type of joint first, then any sub-types (e.g.: dado, stopped dado or blind dado) and then selecting the parallel edges and appropriate face. Once the joint has been placed into the solid form, the user can edit its placement, width, length and other relevant dimensional features. (see images 09 – 10)

AEC Features

We have not yet spoken about any AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) features in this release yet. Version 8 actually does’t introduce any new features specifically made for this market segment; however it is warranted that we at least recap those features that apply to both MCAD and AEC.

We have mentioned in past reviews that for floor plan work the 2D features of TurboCAD are quite solid. The program even has sub-layers, which is another way to organize elements within a larger element and be able to control their visibility uniquely. Some of the new features that bear on the AEC market, besides the obvious connection in the new woodworking joinery tools, include the 3D Linear Duplicate tool, which would be useful for spiral stairs and the like.

More importantly, perhaps, the visualization rendering updates, which will be discussed in a moment, are also of value to the AEC TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 user. So too are the general performance, 64-bit support, DWG/DFX compatibility and even the 3D printing features.

There is one feature though, that bears importance to builders in AEC in particular, and that is the new Cut List BOMs. Users can now assign cut list properties (description, QTY, length, width, thickness) to a BOM (bill of materials) and the program comes with predefined BOM templates and data set tables. Objects with these assigned attributes will then display those attributes in a BOM placed into the drawing file. In the model image show above (image 11) all the framing members can be accounted for with a Cut List BOM.

Other Features and Closing Remarks

As this review was going to press, IMSI/Design told us that TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 will soon have an optional add-on pack named PowerPack for TurboCAD Mac, coming in May, the company estimates. This PowerPack is not shipping now, of course, but its features warrant quick mention.

PowerPack will extend the 3D associated with advanced modeling, including 3D printing, mesh verification and repair, and conversion of meshes to precise solids (analytics/NURBS). It will be possible to do precise coordinate comparison between mesh and NURBS. The user will also be able to separate, combine, weld and compact meshes. We can’t factor this unshipping product into our current view but it deserves mentioning.

Mac users may also like to know that this version is based solely on Apple Cocoa compiled code and Apple CoreGraphics. Prior to this IMSI/Design used the Apple Carbon API framework. Carbon, if you recall, was the API that allowed a simpler path forward to OS X that would allow apps to run on Mac OS 8 and 9 in addition to new OS X.

TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 also includes an array of rendering and presentation improvements. The program now supports special lighting effects—including lens flares—and has GI (global illumination) lighting options. (image 12) HDRI (high dynamic range images) are also now supported, which can significantly improve the rendered images the program produces. (see rendering of the spoon above, image 12). For presentation, the ability to print poster-size renders is now possible because the program will output very large resolution images. And it’s now possible—thanks to QuickTime—to capture audio and record the screen so users can create videos and tutorials of their work.

Finally, AutoCAD file import/export support is updated to version 2013/2014, and there are improvements to STL support in the area of 3D printers. TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 also includes updated support for 3Dconnexion’s SpaceMouse using the latest drivers.

Recommendations

At a moment in time when the Mac side of the MCAD market is starting to really blossom with both end-user interest (in working on Mac) and with developers meeting that interest (in providing new software tools), we see in the new TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 a solid range of improvements to an already very solid product. With the upcoming PowerPack add-on product, TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 offers a huge value in the general mechanical CAD domain (MCAD), offering a low-end CAD product price with mid-level MCAD capabilities.

On a more critical note, we missed not seeing any big new AEC tools in this release. We are not sure where IMSI/Design intends to take AEC features with this product. The Windows version, which is a more advanced and costly product and competes directly in the AutoCAD space, has Industry Foundation Class (IFC) file support for Building Information Modeling (BIM). A hot area for the CAD industry is in the “maker market” and small-scale industrial design and manufacturing—including additive manufacturing. Depending on how IMSI/Design sees this product’s growth story, they may indeed shift more focus on MCAD. That’s an open question.

For this moment, TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 is an accomplished ACIS-based 2/3D CAD system that has the flexibility to be a top choice for the mid-range CAD market, including AEC, MCAD, the “maker market” and industrial design. The new Woodworking Joinery tools are really quite useful and work efficiently. We could see that area expanding a bit for workshop folks and further potential in the digital tooling (CNC) space. Finally, for those who already use this program, this is a no-brainer update—the 64-bit support, native Cocoa code base which makes the program much more robust, much greater file size support, and rendering improvements all amount to good value. —– ANTHONY FRAUSTO-ROBLEDO, AIA, LEED AP.

Pros: very robust ACIS-based 3D CAD modeling; new quad mesh and subdivision surfaces modeling adds expanded capability in areas of product design, industrial design and complex surface creation; convert mesh to solids for 3D printing feature, solid 3D printing support; built-in rendering gains new GI (global illumination) and HDRI support; truly 64-bit down to core components (e.g.: ACIS R24) including OS X native Cocoa code base, unlimited model/file sizes, etc.; program has excellent viewport UI controls for flexible windowing, viewport auto-generation of 3D models from AutoCAD files, flexible tear-out tool palettes, etc.; superb import/export file options.

Cons: Even as a mid-level CAD tool, the AEC side of program could benefit from BIM interoperability options such as IFC or Revit interoperability. New woodworking tools point towards sub-contractor CAD market, yet they too must plug-in to total AEC workflow pipeline for increased AEC interoperability. 

Advice: the program is stronger as a MCAD tool than an AEC CAD tool, despite many good AEC features, including interoperability with Rhino and SketchUp (the two leading modelers currently in the architectural market). For shops feeding the AEC stream with product, TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 is a very solid contender. For “makers” and small shops, product design and MCAD folks, at this mid-level price range TurboCAD Mac Pro 8 is a “must consider” product on the Mac platform. 

Cost: 499.95.USD (new license) IMSI/Design 

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