# formZ Reviews **Vendor:** AutoDesSys **Category:** [3D Modeling Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-modeling) **Average Rating:** 3.7/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 22 ## About formZ form·Z's ability to combine solid and surface modeling has made it a favorite in multiple design fields that engage in the articulation of 3D forms and spaces. Available for the Mac and Windows, it adds interoperability between the two platforms as it allows users to open their files on either one. ## formZ Reviews ### 1. 3D Modeling for Both Windows and Mac **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Denis M. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 19, 2023 **What do you like best about formZ?** Supports both Windows and Mac, and files can be opened on both operating systems. Parametric tools and bespoke workspaces. Reasonably easy to use. It is affordable and basic geometry, and architectural designs can be created quickly **What do you dislike about formZ?** Lacks visual scripting capabilities. Requires a bit of time to comprehend fully **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Eases collaboration on architectural projects by allowing compatibility between different users for both Windows and Mac ### 2. Venerable modeler **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 20, 2021 **What do you like best about formZ?** FormZ is a highly accurate modeler with a wide diversity of tools for all types of modeling. **What do you dislike about formZ?** The interface is buggy, tool palette management is clumsy and requires too much management, particularly when using multiple monitors or switching between monitors. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** I dont use FormZ as much as I did many years ago having switched to Revit for its collaborative production capabilites. I use FormZ now for complex modeling tasks that Revit cannot easily produce. ### 3. Great for Students starting out in 3D modelling and texture Rendering **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Elaine L. | Architectural Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 11, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** It is an intuitive tool that allows easy modeling. Quickly apply material mapping to surfaces during 3D modeling and insertion of light sources for quick Renderings. Positioning the sun can also allow for quick Solar Studies. It is great for a classroom setting product. Material reflections are authentic and real - textures can be modified to change the quality of how a surface reads. Walkthrough animation is easily achieved. **What do you dislike about formZ?** I am unsure of its ability to be able to export to other 3D platforms. It would be nice to be able to import models from - for example, Sketch-Up. Walkthroughs can perhaps have the option be bound to a floor to avoid a flying walkthrough throughout the space. **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** Great for working on solar studies in architecture settings or quick renders. Allows for beautiful renders of objects and scenes. Easily to set up lighting to create settings according to real life. Modeling objects are the easiest to start off with. Adding textures build confidence and creating shapes and cutting voids with different textures leave a void where more textures can be added. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Benefits include quick rendering and texture mapping. Solar studies can be quickly made and applied to critique and design architectural models. Students can change the type of solar shading to create the desired atmosphere. Walkthroughs also bring to life the building that has been modeled. Adding furniture to the building also brings the model further to life. ### 4. Versatile, easy to learn and awesome tech support **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Abdalla G. | Drafting Technologist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 26, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** - Easy to learn and robust with lots of potential and opportunities to include new features - Awesome tech support and active user community that are constantly working/providing feedback to improve software even better - "Reshape" toolset is fantastic and incredibly efficient and quick in adjusting and fine-tuning your model - Subdivision tools - Components & Clones (similar to Blocks in autocad) are very helpful when creating repetitive models. Could be saved in local library for other projects - Customized workspace/pallets - Different view types (Perspectives for visualization and Axonometric and Isometric for technical drawings) - Scatter tools to randomly scatter objects (very useful to create randomness in scenes) - parametric Stairs tool - Object Doctor; a very handy tool to fix/simplify geometry - Import/Export FBX files - in my case I export fomrZ models to FBX to use it with Twinmotion and Lumion for real-time rendering **What do you dislike about formZ?** This is based on Version 8.6: - Few integrated 3rd party render engines. Could add more for more options. - Also the native render engine needs to be improved (maybe more realistic GPU rendering?) - No visual scripting features - Large project file size especially when using hi res textures and smooth geometry which leads to long time saving the file and also makes project file prone to crash **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** It's a great 3d modeling program in many aspects. It's being actively improved and new features are always being introduced with each update. It a great investment given also it's competitive price compared to other programs available in market. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** - Create concepts for architectural projects..it's really good and quick in developing concepts and ideas, creating diagrams, sun/shadow studies, non-realistic quick renderings - Linking formZ project files (through FBX) with other BIM or rendering software to keep all project files updated - Create 3d details for construction with dimensions and tags ### 5. FormZ would help to increase your firm's workflow efficiency. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mekishiko 9. | Architectural Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 26, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** Intuitive interface and high software compatibility, Rendering interoperability with Vray. Agility to create complex forms easily and intuitively. Minimum learning curve timeframe, Useful tools and import files formats. Also, heir constant upgrades addresses bugs and possible crashes which makes the product highly reliable. Having the right support can be a true differentiator in today's architecture, so they will have your back safe in this matter. The great way to display geometry, makes it easy as well to prepare diagrams or isometrics when needed. **What do you dislike about formZ?** It might be slightly difficult to fully understand the platform, however that can be said for any new software. Some redesign to the menus, might be helpful for new users to interact with the software. This would definitely attract more people to the product. **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** If you are looking for a easy to learn and easy to handle software, FormZ would definitely suit your expectations. Also, their wide range of licenses are warranty that you find the right tool for your workflow. You should have a basic previous knowledge of 3d Modelling in order to succeed learning a new software, but with basic understanding, you will be able to make the most out of this product. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Conceptual massing and shape, immediate rendering with Vray, Quick and easy shape analysis on complex shapes. Understanding of programs and requirements trough 3D and changing them easily and fast enough to safe time and accomplish deadlines. ### 6. Why isn't formZ more popular? **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Loi T. | Marketing Coordinator / Architectural Support, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 14, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** The interface is really easy to use. Maybe more intuitive than other programs. I have never seen a company who puts so much attention to customer support and actually address each and every issue users raise. I have never seen a company who actually answers the phone, allows you to converse with an actual tech/sales team live member, and spend the time with persistence and dedication to assist you with anything you can think of. **What do you dislike about formZ?** NO ONE IN THE INDUSTRY USES IT! and it's sad. It needs more marketing because no new student coming in to design school will want to learn it. I am not sure how up-to-date or accurate this information is, but according to techno-graphics company HG Insights 930 companies are currently using formZ. What percent of market share does that represent? The only market analysis I can lay my hands on right now is this one, which shows 430 companies using it and a 0.11% market share. It isn't dated. I know I found other analyses with similar results, but they're not showing up for me right now. Formz is also a perfectly fine tool for those who are not so independent and distinguished. It's priced right and very capable. I just don't get why it is so widely ignored, and has been for so long. What am I missing? **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** quick and easy. Thank for the free version! Updated YouTube channel would be great. More short tutorials on how to use each tool. More tutorials on how to produce a specific thing or rendering look. Perhaps guest vlogs with real Z users illustrating how they use the software. An Instagram channel. An improved showcase on the website. Maybe a showreel video each year. All efforts should be targeted at the target users of the program. The more specifically targeted the better. ### 7. I cant imagine a faster way to custom model architecture **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Brett L. | Freelance 3D Senior, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 01, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** Derivative modelling. Form Z has tools which add up to several clicks within other software **What do you dislike about formZ?** It is not standard. Other software work differently and one would wonder what is up when looking into Form Z. IT takes getting used to, to enable it. **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** If you model CAD buildings in general 3D app you are at a disadvantage. The toolsets in Form Z help me import drawings and spit out models ferociously. It is truly fun how fast Form Z can churn through work. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Derivative modelling and efficient Boolean tools are advanced features in other software, but standard and easy in FZ. My job is modelling CAD from Architect's Drawings and this tool allows me to do that in a fraction of the time that it would take in my main DCC. What FormZ is good at its great at! ### 8. An amazing and powerful tool to be used on daily basis, by professional and students alike. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Gurkirat S. | Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 14, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** Efficient and seamless sync with VRay as well as ability to downsave, which seems to be missing in most other software. Most often I used parametric subdivision and parametric generation and then further the ease by which I can just 3D print the models definitely saved me a lot of time during submission deadline time crunches. The augmented reality feature gives a very accurate depiction of the space and takes the design to the next level. **What do you dislike about formZ?** The learning curve, it took me a while to get hold of it. But definitely worth it once you are past that initial learning period. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Mostly I used it for form explorations in architecture school. It gives me freedom and ability to imagine and portray difficult forms. It always gave me an upper edge over other students and helped me ace my academics. It packs the qualities of both rhinoceros as well as sketchup, 3D form building has never felt so easy before. ### 9. Form Z - 3D modelling **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Troy B. | Architectural Illustrator, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 14, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** The power to 3D model quickly. It is a extremely robust and stable platform for huge polygon counts. It exports to almost every other platform of your choice. **What do you dislike about formZ?** The drafting tools could be improved for the 2D module of the program. **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** If your looking to start a business in architectural illustration I would encourage you to take a look at FormZ. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** It's ease of use and speed allows you time away from the computer. ### 10. Form Z Software Review **Rating:** 0.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Design | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 23, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** Form z is very affordable, and has a very low cost barrier for entry This makes it an attractive entry level CAD software for consideration. Form Z has benefits for architectural design, creating fast and simple geometry. The ability to export to various file formats is also quite useful for engaging with other team members within a company's workflow. **What do you dislike about formZ?** Form Z has a lousy User Interface, which is not as intuitive as other software packages. Usability leaves users wanting more as compared to other software. Also, the community base is extremely small, which makes getting answers to questions on specific problems difficult. Help and software support is also lacking. I worry about where the future will lead this software, and how it will adapt to an ever changing landscape. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Form Z is a decent program for architecture, with the ability to export to multiple formats. ### 11. ergonomic and creative use of formz **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** mohamed k. | Architect, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 26, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** interface friendly use. smart choices to use **What do you dislike about formZ?** a lot of commands and icons. i prefer to make them interactive according to the usage **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** good luck **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** organical formsm better results and rendering ### 12. FormZ visualization & Boolean control **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Paul N. | Industrial Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 03, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** FormZ has been around since before SketchUp existed. It has always operated in an intuitive (additive / Boolean based) interface on par with SolidWorks. 3D visualization with FormZ however is both free-er and more accurate than SketchUp by an order of magnitude. **What do you dislike about formZ?** Like SketchUp, FormZ lacks the option to model and design in a parametric environment. Nor do they facilitate flexible Top-Down/Bottom-up feature (sketch) management. A Feature tree style addition the interface would greatly help FormZ. **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** While exports to 3D prin **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is easy to be creative yet precise while creating nearly photo-realistic forms quickly. ### 13. FormZ is an impressive & appropriate way to convince client with the realistic view of concepts **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Salaiau K. | Project Architect, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 04, 2021 **What do you like best about formZ?** It is user friendly, much faster way to generate 3D & make work much easier. **What do you dislike about formZ?** Shortcut to improve your speed while working on a concept should be provided **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** -Saves alot of time, -Easy to solve complexes geometry -Virsual Clearity approach to client ### 14. Slash of light in the dark tunnel **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sen Sei. W. | Architecture Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 17, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** FormZ has made the design working process much more fun. **What do you dislike about formZ?** Some functionality not quite familiarly used. **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** Give a go. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Pretty advanced and smart software seems knowing where the 3D modeling were heading. Rendering is Pretty cool. Easy and realistic. ### 15. FormZ review **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ravi Chandra P. | Project Architect, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 10, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** The interface is good, the overall user experience is very intuitive **What do you dislike about formZ?** Features can be improved and more plugins would be helpful **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** Explore more **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Customer reach is low, service can be improved ### 16. New User, beginner **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 08, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** Integrated Renders, compatibility with OSx softwares unlike other 3d modelling tools **What do you dislike about formZ?** Can be tedious to learn initially and may take some time. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Interface issues and benefits are of designing/modelling in symmetry along with rendering ability ### 17. . **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 29, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** It's a good modelling tool. I like it because of it's environment **What do you dislike about formZ?** It has limited amount of 3d library and plugins **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** . ### 18. A complex but rewarding rendering software **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 24, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** Ability to model dynamic forms and lighting. FormZ can create beautiful renderings of your projects **What do you dislike about formZ?** Interface is not user friendly and the program could be buggy **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** If you are looking for a realistic rendering program, FormZ is the right one for you. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Explore design options via renderings. It gears toward product and industrial design. ### 19. Neutral **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 30, 2020 **What do you like best about formZ?** Lower drawing file size . **What do you dislike about formZ?** Difficult for three dimensional visualization . **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Visualization for clients ### 20. Twenty years of industry leading architectural & design industry modeling **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Dave K. | Owner / Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 05, 2019 **What do you like best about formZ?** The developer Autodessys, based out of Columbus, Ohio, has hands down the most responsive customer support staff in the industry, and they always personally welcome and respond to new features suggestions. At the heart of formZ, Autodessys has developed an exceptionally competent and easy to use, topology-based surface and solid modeling core. With everything from the most competent Booleans to highly advance lofting, blending, and other advanced mathematical surface capabilities, I have watched formZ evolve into what is in my opinion the industry leader in these categories and object integrity preservation, which is highly important for 3d printing and prototyping. Beyond that, formZ's interoperability with Vray as a plugin renderer makes the combo a very affordable and completely undervalued option for industry professionals. **What do you dislike about formZ?** As with all 3d modeling software packages, you will encounter the occasional glitch, which is always corrected with a simple restart of the software. As I have watched the software evolve over the years, sometimes the UI is changed in ways small ways that do not necessarily improve upon the previous, but overall, formZ yields a very smooth and fluid workflow. **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** If your focus is in the design industry rather than animation, formZ's featureset, stability, and price make it the industry's best value in a 3d modeling package. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** Architectural formerly & Product Design currently. In addition to the benefits listed above, formZ maintains high floating point accuracy down to micrometers, which is highly important to stereolithograpy and thin wall injection moulding processes. Exporting to other formats is also a breeze, as formZ offers export to every leading industry 3d format. ### 21. A wonderful tool that needs to get out of obscurity **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Erdem B. | Senior Industrial Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 18, 2018 **What do you like best about formZ?** I like almost everything about this software. - It has my favourite surface building methods: Nurbs and Subdiv modelling. - I think it is great for modeling quick simple buildings or interiors; even it's free version can do wonders for architectural designers. You can build primitives on other objects' surfaces and scatter objects on an area: very useful for architects. - You can easily create patterns like voronoi, without a hassle. - It has a decent Nurbs engine. Despite being new to FormZ, I did not have much difficulty getting to know functions of various Nurbs tools. - Modeling in general is quite simplistic here. **What do you dislike about formZ?** - I come from different NURBS software, where surfaces are handled with more technical detail. Here, it is more like an intuitive experience. Controls feel inadequate for an Alias Surface user like me. - Its keyboard and mouse combinations are a bit different than other modeling software I use; so it gets a little frustrating when you mistakenly demolish your model or just fail miserably at findinf the necessary key combination. **Recommendations to others considering formZ:** It is a great program, but knowledge base is very thin. You might have difficulties at fiding a tutotial other than what Autodesys supplies. It is very strange that very few people know about this program, it deserves more praise. Jusr try the free version first and get a taste of it. Then you will know if it is for you. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** I generally use it for simple surface concept modeling. I also use it for architectural design projects. Voronoi tool extensively helps me build parametric patterns for facade design, without having to use any code or GrassHopper for Rhino. ### 22. orZ hidden gem **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Rob K. | Sales Director, Business Strategy, Computer Software, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 01, 2016 **What do you like best about formZ?** Absolute 3D modelling control with Solid modelling , Surface modelling , Parametric, NURBS and Sub division Surfaces that can be used with it's own 3D rendering animation system RenderZone or Maxwell Render, Thea Render and Vray coming soon. **What do you dislike about formZ?** No one knows about the software - its seems to be the best kept secret in the CAD industry. **What problems is formZ solving and how is that benefiting you?** 3D architectural visualisation, 3D modelling for product design and 3D printing, Display Stand and Point of Sale display design ## formZ Discussions - [What is formZ used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-formz-used-for) - [how can we get more intelligent software](https://www.g2.com/discussions/34354-how-can-we-get-more-intelligent-software) - 1 upvote - [View formZ pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/formz/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-15+08%3A28%3A47+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=07eb8f36-e5a3-43bd-9eb8-c2993059b8c1&secure%5Btoken%5D=aefa61c6d2f84be827a87b0a46be3500b7573372834513600fa32520d55a339c&format=llm_user) ## formZ Features **Design** - Sculpting - Topology - Drawing - Brush Variety - Effects **Generative AI** - AI Text-to-Image - AI Text-to-Video - AI Text-to-3D **Generative AI** - AI Image-to-Text - AI Text-to-3D **Move** - Animate - Render - Views **Agentic AI - Animation** - Multi-step Planning - Cross-system Integration **Store & Manage** - Pipeline - Controls - Template library **Generative AI** - AI Text-to-Image - AI Text-to-3D ## Top formZ Alternatives - [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (305 reviews) - [3ds Max Design](https://www.g2.com/products/3ds-max-design/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (275 reviews) - [Enscape 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/enscape-3d/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (411 reviews)