Let’s talk about the new pricing

“ Istvan—On the other hand we are absolutely open to suggestions for pricing and packaging.”

As a hobby user i’m on the pro at now, but nobody know what bring the future. I make max 5-10 parts/year.
The new hobby price is frendly, but who make real parts need step file, for cnc, laser cutting, spark wire, ect.
For me acceptable an in-app purchases for to get the step file at one time, over the monthly/year subscription.

In that case the user can check the part in reality (printed from the high q stl), if it looks good, can buy the step file for some money.
For example , 5$.
I think it’s a win-win solution.

Hi there, students are eligible for the free educational subscription only during their study period.
After you are done studying, you can then opt for either of our subscription plans and you can see our plans here

Meanwhile, it’s great to know you enjoy using the app.

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I have been testing both shapr3d and umake for last month or so. I was originally attracted to both as they run on the iPad pro platform.
Shapr3d is a superb package and a credit to you all. Looks like I left my run go to late to the pro version of the old price but that’s life. As a hobbyist I can’t justify the 600 AUD annual subscription. Initially I thought the hobby version looked ideal and the pricing is fine. However the lack of a serious CAD output format is a party stopper. There are simply some things I just can’t do in shapr And the lack of means I’m getting files into other desktop software is a major issue. I would strongly recommend supporting DXF output. Is it perhaps possible to limit the number of exports over a period of time to distinguish the hobby version from the pro?
Murray

I would like to express my opinion on Shapr3D:

New pricing models:

It is nice that you think of hobbyists, but it is so that this is not usable at all, since only STL works as a format output.
The only thing that works with this (worst format ever) are slicers for 3D prints.
But there, too, more and more people are working with OBJ.
Not even OBJ import is implemented.
STL as an import is important, since most of the free 3D files in the hobby area are currently still STL, but a change of heart can also be observed there.
A hobbyist nowadays still has home-made turning and milling machines, free or inexpensive CAM software, and STL no longer works there.

If you consider that today you can get first class CAD programs for a one-time fee of 150 dollars with all formats in import and export and all the functions you could want.

To Shapr3D full version:

I work daily with CAD programs in and for the industry, but I would probably never be able to complete a whole project with the current Shapr3D.
Essential things such as:

  • SAT (Parasolid) import and export: We get a lot of files from customers who only deliver SAT data and are not willing to reissue and convert all parts because of us.
    Various CAM programs for CNC programming run with SAT formats, our statics calculation programs also use the Parasolid native.
  • No format for importing point clouds. We are working more and more with scanned point clouds, including the texture of system parts, in order to then construct add-on parts etc. with solids.
  • Output of drawings is currently not really useful for mechanical processing, but you are fully developing.
  • Simple sheet metal constructions as well as sheet metal developments are completely absent.
  • Rendering for customer offers etc. is completely absent.
  • There is no Windows version to continue working natively for more complex projects.
    etc.

Direct modeling CAD (design like Shapr3D) that leaves nothing to be desired is available today for a one-off 2000 dollars.

I can also post links to such CAD programs, but this is understandably undesirable.

This is not a criticism of this APP, I really like to use it for small projects for relaxed construction on the sofa: =)

It’s just my opinion on the new pricing.
In the medium term you will notice for yourself where you stand and how many new customers your subscription will keep.

Best regards
Pascal

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Hi Nitro, great feedback, thank you.

I would love to hear more about this use case. How are you using the point clouds?

Last example was a week ago:

Customer brings a basket of people for the construction site.
We only recorded this basket with a laser scanner (Leica RTC360) instead of measuring and redesigning everything.
After importing into our CAD program (RCS format or the neutral E57 format), we construct add-on parts (traverse with vacuum suction device for glasses) with direct modeling directly on the point cloud.
The point cloud serves as a template where and how the traverse is attached to the basket, the construction itself (traverse) is a normal model that can either be sent as a solid body to a CAM program (SAT) for mechanical production or alternatively as a drawing for the Mechanic who operates manual machines.

Got it. So basically you aren’t even using the points directly, but using them as a reference for modeling, right?

Correctly!

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Feedback:

I really appreciate the intent in creating the Hobby plan, but the inability to go back and edit previously created files after it’s cycled out (10) is too crippled to be realistically useful except for learning, or as a toy.

As it is, the Hobby plan is pretty much only for creating disposable models. That seems like “Free” tier level functionality (or maybe $50/year) from my perspective :frowning:.

Even a hobby game project has to be able to adjust assets later… (sometimes a year or more later! :rofl:).

The old pro level ($240/year in advance) felt expensive (to me) for a hobby project, but the app is so amazing that I was going to do it for a year and see if I was really as productive in Shapr3d as it seems like I would be.

Now, at $499/year (2x the price!), it’s pretty hard to justify for a hobby (probably impossible). That’s ~ half the price of an iPad Pro to use it on, every single year…. (or the price of a 3d printer).

Here’s what I’d like for the Hobby (or better yet, an “Indie”) tier:

allowed Import:

  • image formats
  • SHAPR files

allowed Exports:

  • STL → (high quality) support 3d printing use-cases
  • OBJ (with colors) → support hobby game asset creation
  • USDZ → support Apple AR model creation.
  • SHAPR files → support editing later, evolution to higher tier.

(I don’t actually need USDZ currently, but I can see that being advantageous for Apple AR folks).

This would make it usable for hobby level without loss of fidelity, retain the ability to edit models later and evolve into a higher tier (without having to remake all your models), but remove the professional CAD export/import formats.

If that’s too much functionality from your more informed perspective, perhaps consider this functionality in a pricing model closer to that of Unity3d which is free for personal use (defined to be “revenue or funding less than $100K in the last 12 months.” Powerful 2D, 3D, VR, & AR software for cross-platform development of games and mobile apps.).

Or the new “Hobby” level price having the functionality I list above but having a similar to unity3d limit on revenue or funding so that it’s an “Indie” level.

Even Unity’s full-featured Plus level is only $399/year, and there is a lot of functionality in Unity3d (so it’s a reasonable comparison).

There’s such a range of uses from “learning”, “hobby”, “small business”, “medium business”, “large business” and the value that a user receives (and the income they can generate using the software) varies so much across that spectrum that I can see that it’s quite challenging to find pricing that works for everyone well.

As a would-be hobby project user, the new Hobby price is great since it’s easier to justify for a hobby, but the configuration is too crippled to make sense (disposable models? ugh). Can’t back up our files and restore them? Plus Indie/small business will now have to pay 2x and many a hobbyist dreams of becoming an Indie someday… :wink:

Even having not yet actually used Shapr3d and only having just finished watching all your excellent 40+ training videos – I can say that Shapr3d looks like an amazing app. Congratulations.

That’s my feedback. Thanks for reading.

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(I wish I’d been aware of this pending price increase - I would have subscribed at the pro ($240/year) level before it happened if I’d known. I was “saving money” by watching all the videos first over the last few weeks but that’s clearly backfired painfully).

Its okay to let go, in the long run it will always benefit Shapr3d rather than hurt it. Shapr3d is going somewhere whether is slowly or quickly jumping ahead always remember that the feedback users give tends to be more helpful at times. I’m always eager to look into apps or software relating to 3D modeling regarding my professional field.

I’ve been watching Shapr3d and even tried the full versions but to be fair the prices are not on point with what I would be using it or the average users would. Lets be honest if the Shapr3d app hobbyist uses or makes a single project regardless of what it is it would probably be left alone after a month, so if you pay the yearly new subscription of $150/y you are buying an expensive 1 time use project. Even so if you pay the $30 a month that’s still over the budget for a hobby. Sure if the app was a 1 time purchase it would be understandable.

Your app is amazing as it is already but the prices giving is not. As of now Shapr3d is a iPad only platform (soon other platforms?) so with out it you can’t hope on a desktop or similar working station to continue your work like a professional field hence you are calling your high end a Business price subscription.

To make it short, the hobby subscription is the same as the Free version really. You are still limited in projects (who invented limitations on projects anyway?), you are still limited in exporting. While Business subscription you get unlimited (again who invented this?), and export in anyway you want (why limit this to be honest?), 2D drawings okay.

Hobby: same as Free really for only $150/y or $30/monthly. Colors?(not important as export file types or limit projects).
Business: Export + 2D drawings for $500/y or $60/monthly.

This doesn’t really make sense unless all I see is greed for money or Shapr3d has not thought it carefully. Just don’t be like large brand companies that don’t care about the users and do as they please. Find a way where the hobby price feels like a reasonable price point that clearly doesn’t feel like a trial version and if you are aiming for a Business price point look into it more professional level instead of just giving them 2d drawing + export freedom. As always competitions are everywhere and users will jump on the boat for whatever price points fits their needs.

If you want fair here is a rundown example.

Free:

  • No limitations on anything regarding the experience of the app usage. Export is a pay if you really want to support Sharp3d, at this point you are not using it to play with it no more.

  • 1 project (why 2 if you can make multiple folders to make things, just have 1 project) This is a Free version after all.

Hobbyist:

  • Ability to Export. Export meaning any supportive Shapr3d file type. This means you are done using the Free version and you are ready to start going beyond just using the app.

  • New features can be added by a 1 time purchase. This is important as everyone works to keep making the app better and would benefit the both if the user wants it or not.

  • No limits. Really stop this trend of limiting things all together. New features can be purchased if the user really wants it but shouldn’t limit the usage of the app.

Business:

  • Any new features will automatically be available
  • ability to have more users whether large or small company under a main subscription
  • support is always available thru a representative to help out in training or technical support
  • work on same project files whether interacting or view them at the same time.
  • whether you plan to have a cloud base or not have the ability to filesharing thru a cloud.

I’m sure their is a ton of ways better to do this and hope Shapr3d re thinks the pricing. I will continue to watch but in the meantime I don’t think the prices are fair with what we are giving.

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Hi, thanks for the feedback. We are still learning about the Hobby tier and we might tweak it.

Shapr is already available on mac, and you can use it with the same subscription. Download for macOS

Being a machine designer, I eagerly look forward to the day when Shapr3D comes out with full fledged assembly features with application of constraints, bill of material etc (as in any other 3D-CAD software). For me shelling out for subscription (hobbly/business) for an application sans the above feature is something unjustified. I think that it would be good to price in such a way to have a base price and keep adding independent modules as per requirement of the user.

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Hello, I’d like to weigh in a little on the hobbyist plan. For context I’m a mechanical engineer professionally used to Solidworks and Catia. My personal use is for occasional 3d printing, and hopefully some hobby-grade CNC router or similar in the future. I mainly use Fusion 360 or FreeCAD (both free), although that brings either restrictions or frustration.

First I’m happy to see that Shapr3d is considering the hobbyist market at all. This isn’t a given in this industry, most companies judge it not worth the trouble.

I’ve been playing with free Shapr3d by curiosity to test out the innovation happening in CAD. I was hoping to use it soon for personal use, but being put off by the (old) price. The main attraction for me is the natural way to work on a design, and the very portable use; allowing to model from the couch instead of isolated from my family, or for example to design a bracket for home use while directly looking at the place where it will be used.

The new hobby pricing is within a range I can consider, although it is in the top of it. It is among the most expensive subscriptions commonly marketed to the public. Understandable, but then it shouldn’t come with too many drawbacks for hobby use. Also remember that the market is already quite limited to people who have an iPad with an Apple Pencil.

The main issue I have about the new restrictions is that there’s a limit to the number of parts, associated with the impossibility to either archive parts (being able to import them back somehow, maybe with a time limit?), or export/import in Shapr3d format (or any other editable one). Even if it’s hobby use, I don’t accept to discard permanently most of my models. It’s not because it’s not professional that I want to produce things to be deleted.

In addition but less important for me, is the ability to export to a common format to share some designs with the open-source community. But I understand that opening this up maybe would also allow more serious use of the app, which you don’t want to let happen for a hobby price.

At the same time if people start sharing open source designs in Shapr format I feel like it could help getting some marketshare among hobbyists.

In the end, you price the app as you wish of course, we’re not entitled to any product. I’ll still be following development by curiosity and cheering for innovation in CAD.
Obviously the balance of price and restrictions determines if this app is an option or not for many hobbyists, and currently I feel that you’re getting close but not quite there for me. That’s a shame because I feel like I would be in the targeted market (I already accept to pay quite a lot of subscriptions, I have the iPad and Pencil, I just want to 3d print, I already like the app…). But really, the most expensive subscription I would pay (although not by far) combined with the necessity to delete my models when done isn’t attractive enough.

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Something I am confused about. Can the hobby/free tier export/import shapr3d formatted project files? Or is it really you have to delete the file and start a new file due to project limits?

I assumed you can export Shapr3D project file and reimport it at a later time. I think it would be pretty disappointing if export/import of Shapr project files were not supported at all levels.

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No, currently it can’t, that’s what’s shown in the table comparing the plans.
You have to delete the model to make room for more, and can’t save it elsewhere in Shapr format.

Here’s a screenshot

By the way, “Active designs” should be renamed because it leads to think you can have “inactive designs”. From the explanations above I understand it’s not the case.

Wow, that does not seem to be a good idea on the Shapr3D’s part from a business sense. There are pretty well know theories that say in a product’s life-cycle like Shapr’s they should be trying to land-grab all the users they can at the moment because that is going to be the bulk of their long-term customer base.

They have clearly crossed the chasm (or nearly there) and inside the tornado (Geoffrey A. Moore).

My $.02

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No matter what you do for some people, it’s never enough … Just stay true to who you are … Do your best, be your best, the rest is yet to come?

He is richest who is content with the least for Contentment is the Wealth of Nature. “Socrates”

Interesting quote. Does Mr Moore include among early adopters those who see the potential, want to find out more, contribute and maybe influence the trajectory? Those were my reasons for signing up early.

David Swift

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That is good to know. Hope to see good news in the near future.

As for the beta I did glance and went thru the process, either it required too much personal information or I was lost in the process of obtaining a beta download version. I have both platforms Win and Mac so hopefully their is more light in obtaining a beta access.