Autodesk MeshMixer vs. Vectorworks Fundamentals

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
MeshMixer
Score 7.9 out of 10
N/A
MeshMixer is a 3D design and modeling tool for 3D printing or scanning, supported by Autodesk (acquired 2011). While not discontinued, the product will not receive updates and Autodesk states they intend to include all functionality in updates of Fusion 360.N/A
Vectorworks Fundamentals
Score 9.5 out of 10
N/A
Vectorworks headquartered in Columbia offers Fundamentals, a computer-aided design (CAD) application supporting 2D and 3D design and drafting.
$108
per month
Pricing
Autodesk MeshMixerVectorworks Fundamentals
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Subscription
$108.00
per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
MeshMixerVectorworks Fundamentals
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYes
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details—$108/M: Pay only for what you need, 2 GB of cloud storage, Basic tech support, Immediate access to new versions $90/M: $1080 billed annually | Save $216, Pay only for what you need, 2 GB of cloud storage, Basic tech support, Immediate access to new versions
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Community Pulse
Autodesk MeshMixerVectorworks Fundamentals
Top Pros
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Autodesk MeshMixerVectorworks Fundamentals
Small Businesses
Rhino
Rhino
Score 9.1 out of 10
Rhino
Rhino
Score 9.1 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Rhino
Rhino
Score 9.1 out of 10
Rhino
Rhino
Score 9.1 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 9.1 out of 10
Rhino
Rhino
Score 9.1 out of 10
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User Ratings
Autodesk MeshMixerVectorworks Fundamentals
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(1 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
User Testimonials
Autodesk MeshMixerVectorworks Fundamentals
Likelihood to Recommend
Autodesk
Autodesk MeshMixer is best for repairing STL files and basic modifications toward 3D printing. It is excellent for hollowing out models and adding escape holes for SLA printing or lost-wax casting. Its CSG (Boolean) functions to combine different meshes are good too and seldom cause the program to crash. There is even an integrated algorithm to optimize the layout of multiple files on a print bed in case of small-batch production. Autodesk MeshMixer's sculpting tools are there yet limited and there are a few better alternatives. Best of all, it is completely free.
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Vectorworks, Inc.
It is perfectly suited for residential work, and work where the project requires integrated 2d and 3d. It is terrible for integrated energy modeling. This needs to be fixed immediately.
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Pros
Autodesk
  • Auto-repair function works fast, and if it does not completely cover all problem areas, manual fixes will work 99.5% of the time.
  • Remeshing algorithm is fairly slow but does a wonderful job in creating meshes with homogeneous or adaptive triangulation.
  • It contains a comprehensive set of tools to optimize and prepare STL files for 3D printing, such as hollowing and support generation.
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Vectorworks, Inc.
  • 3D modeling - no need to start in SketchUp or other more rudimentary programs.
  • Seamless import/export with other programs - ideal communication with consultants.
  • Superb customer service, training, and tech support.
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Cons
Autodesk
  • The remeshing tool needs to be faster, as in some cases it takes up to a day of waiting time.
  • The sculpting tools need the addition of a proper brush for creating sharp creases and ridges.
  • The standard shape library is rather limited. It would be nice to have this connected to online repositories such as Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, or Cults3D.
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Vectorworks, Inc.
  • The program is getting a little 'fat', and needs to be slimmed down. It is starting to bog down a bit when doing certain functions. The program of late is more buggy then we are used to seeing.
  • I like how smooth Sketchup is in 3D. It would be great to get VW's to be more responsive in 3D.
  • The space tool is very clunky.
  • I would be great if a texture map could be a video and not just a still image. We could really use that.
  • PLEASE get the energy modeling capabilities up to speed. It needs to be much more intuitive and NOT based on Passive House standards. Please include a clear output for a projects Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and how a project is doing relative to the 2030 Commitment.
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Alternatives Considered
Autodesk
Using Blender for STL file preparation is like swatting a mosquito with a wrecking ball, plus its boolean functionalities can be glitchy. ZBrushCoreMini proved too limiting as a sculpting tool, but so did Autodesk MeshMixer, so I am sticking to Sculptris. Materialise Magics and Netfabb are somewhat better at STL file repair and offer more advanced functionalities. But Magics does not remesh as well and Autodesk MeshMixer is far more compact and faster than Netfabb, so remains my weapon of choice.
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Vectorworks, Inc.
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Autodesk
  • It speeds up projects by streamlining the CAD-to-3D-printing workflow
  • As an advanced user, I have written a few tutorials about it as well
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Vectorworks, Inc.
  • Subscription model ensures we always have the latest versions - per-seat license is very affordable.
  • Training costs are low (i.e. new hires get up to speed quickly).
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