Qonic – Day 1
I was made aware of Qonics by veteran CAD journalist and author Ralph Grabowski who, despite warnings of retirement, continues to stay up with what’s new in the CAD world.
I am reminded of Qonics videos in my LinkedIn feed, and today, while taking a break from more pressing but less pleasant tasks, I decided to try out a new CAD program. I was enticed by Qonics’ seeming ease of use, just pushing and pulling to make shapes – and that you could try it for free.
So, I sign up for a Qonics account. I thought an email was all that would be needed for a browser-based, a la Onshape, but Qonics can also work locally. For that, there are downloads for Windows and Mac.
The download is fast enough, and so is the installation. I try to make a new model but unwittingly opt for the largest size, which generates a terse message about that size not being available in the free version. The free version only allows you 5 m2 of space. It is not clear if this is 5 x 5 m or (2.24 m)2. Pretty useless. The program seems to freeze. After a few minutes, I manage to open a sample model and am able to move around. The interface is too simple, just a few icons on the right. In an attempt to simplify, Qonic goes to an extreme. I want a blank screen but I can’t see how to start a new model.
My first half hour with Quonic ends with only making a square extrusion on the side of a building next to Qonic Towers in the sample model. That’s just so I can show something for my effort.
Tired of my bungled attempt to use Qonics, I resolved to find a few tutorials before I try again. I ought to know by now that no CAD program lets you jump right into and produce meaningful results. Not in the first half hour, anyway.