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Hexagon Alternative on Mac (as it is no longer supported/compatible with Mac)

CMDesignCMDesign Posts: 6
in Hexagon Discussion

Hi All...

I used to use Hexagon on a older Mac, but found it no longer runs on the newer Macs... Hexagon will not run on a Mac M1/M2 and newer MacOS because Hexagon it is STILL a 32-bit (Intel) app, and only 64 bit Intel apps are supported on those Macs (via the Rosetta Intel emulator). The Hexagon info says that it will be updated to 64-bit in 2018, but that has not done to date (2022), and basically no updates to Hexagon have been done since 2018.

So, I would like to know what people recommend as a replacement for Hexagon - my primary use is for items related to figures, and *not* for things like large objects, environment, etc - so examples would be things like necklaces, shoes, glasses, masks, body armour that have to fit and move with the figure.

Thanks!

Comments

  • cg4ucg4u Posts: 3

    Hello CMdesign,

    there are some newer apps for macOS:

    - https://www.maxon.net/de/zbrushcoremini (free)

    - http://www.wings3d.com (free)

    - http://www.formz.com/fzsite1219/products/formz/formz_free.html (free)

    and there are a lot apps that you can buy like ZBrush, Silo, Modo and so on. Just search them with google & co.

    Good luck,

    - j.

  • RaytownmikeRaytownmike Posts: 58

    Is it official from DAZ that Hexagon is no longer supported on Macs? If this is official then I'd like to know. On one of my Macs I have not upgtaded the system so I can run Hexagon. At some point the wait needs to end. It needs to be official from DAZ so Is it official???

  • CMDesignCMDesign Posts: 6
    edited October 2022

    Raytownmike said:

    Is it official from DAZ that Hexagon is no longer supported on Macs? If this is official then I'd like to know. On one of my Macs I have not upgtaded the system so I can run Hexagon. At some point the wait needs to end. It needs to be official from DAZ so Is it official??

    There was nothing official said, but that is the problem, they are not saying anything at all, but also not doing anything for 5+ years... Hexagon has not been updated since 2017, and the only 'official' notes following that were that Hexagon would finally be updated to 64-bit in 2018; but that never happened (there was no update at all), and nothing further has been said since. Apple has not suported 32-bit apps on it's newer MacOS's since late 2019, so Hexagon has 'unofficially' not been able to run on any new Mac in the last 3 years.

    I agree, Daz3D should clarify this (anyone from Daz3D listening?), but they just appear to have completely ignored Hexagon development and updates and have not announced anything in the last 5 years related to the future of it, or said why they never updated to 64-bit or why they stopped all development/updates. That leaves us to draw our own conclusions about this being a current and future-viable piece of software; to me, their 5 years of silence and no updates (not even bug fixes) speaks pretty officially loudly.

    Post edited by CMDesign on
  • CMDesignCMDesign Posts: 6

    cg4u said:

    Hello CMdesign,

    there are some newer apps for macOS:

    - https://www.maxon.net/de/zbrushcoremini (free)

    - http://www.wings3d.com (free)

    - http://www.formz.com/fzsite1219/products/formz/formz_free.html (free)

    and there are a lot apps that you can buy like ZBrush, Silo, Modo and so on. Just search them with google & co.

    Good luck,

    - j.

     Hi j...

    Thanks for the great suggestions... I've taken a peek at the ones you mentioned, but plan on looking into them much more. I'm wondering, is there any one in particular that you feel might be most suitable for the very specific and limited need I have (as mentioned in my opening post)? I'm looking for an efficient workflow to be able to create the specifc types of figure-related things I mentnioned, and test and use them in Daz Studio.

  • RaytownmikeRaytownmike Posts: 58

    At this rate and well over due, Hexagon isn't going to be updated on 64 bit Mac computers. I know it's tough but we can't wait forever. All this point, lost time is time one could use to learn and unlearn an old app for a new one. I have been resisiting this fact too. This wasn't any more clear to me than when I recently upgraded to Ventura.

     

  • vidarhoy_b81d4111ebvidarhoy_b81d4111eb Posts: 0

    Latest release of Silo 2022, now with non-destructive modifiers.....

    https://youtu.be/P54TJ4oz8ts

  • ShawnDriscollShawnDriscoll Posts: 375
    edited December 2022

    Just download the trial version of Silo on your Mac and see if it works before buying. Nevercenter updates Silo every 6 months. It is the closest 3D modeling app to Hexagon.

    Post edited by ShawnDriscoll on
  • NovaNova Posts: 213
    edited December 2022

    @ Nevercenter updates Silo every 6 months.
    Hexagon users can only dream of that.

    Thanks for the tip.

    After watching some videos.
    However, the workflow doesn't seem to come close to Hexagon. This one is still unbeatable.
    But to judge that definitively, you have to work with Silo longer and know both programs. Silo will certainly continue to develop quickly.

    Milo: Unreal-Powered Rendering, Walkthroughs, and VR (2022.2)

    Is of course an enormous plus point

     

    https://nevercenter.com/silo/

     

     

     

    Post edited by Nova on
  • wsterdanwsterdan Posts: 2,339
    edited December 2022

    Thanks, vidarhoy_b81d4111eb and ShawnDriscoll for mentioning Silo. I haven't looked at it in a very, very long time but was disappointed by some of other modelers mentioned here, all running behind with MacOS versions.

    I've been looking at simple modeling programs to replace my aging LIghtwave, which I used almost exclusively for it's polygon editing tools. Silo looks perfect, and very nicely priced at the moment for the season.

    I see where it will run on an m1 Mac, but haven't been able to see if it's m1-native (I'm going to assume "no").

    No matter, off to purchase, thanks again for the recommendation.

    -- Walt Sterdan

    Post edited by wsterdan on
  • sparkmiester_35fff29913sparkmiester_35fff29913 Posts: 7
    Cheetah3d is out there for $99.
  • NovaNova Posts: 213

    Overview of 3D software: 58 Alternatives

    https://alternativeto.net/software/cheetah-3d/

     

  • RaytownmikeRaytownmike Posts: 58

    There are several options out there the problem is relearning new software. Like me once you got proficient with Hexagon using other apps was at best slow to execute certain tasks. I think 2023 should be all or nothing for Hexagon on the Mac. I hate to say it but I don't have hope.

  • RafaelRafael Posts: 124
    edited January 2023

    I  am not an expert on exporting and importing into Daz, but, Is it not a somehow obvious choice Blender?

    - Big community. Active development.
    - Great for modeling hard surfaces, organic shapes, sculpture mode, and non-destructive modifiers.
    - Daz bridge
    - Import-export Daz-supported formats OBJ and FBX.
    - Lot of tutorials on how to combine them with Daz.
    - A specific space for Blender in Daz Forums.
    - And a big etc.
    - And even probably it can be modified to have windows similar to Hexagon, if someone wants to I guess.

    Post edited by Rafael on
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