As of March 21, 2017, Autodesk is ending the sale of Showcase 3D visualisation and 3D presentation software . Autodesk provides several design visualisation solutions for different industries, from in-product visualization to cloud visualization services.
If you have been using Showcase as part of your Product Design Suite, Showcase will not be avialable with your 2018 Autodesk Product Design Suite release.
Autodesk and Redstack will continue to support users of previous versions of Showcase. You have a few options going forward:
- Use Showcase 2017:
- Stay on 2017 for Inventor, etc., and maintain associativity, or
- Go to 2018 for Inventor, etc., and export to STEP or DWG and maintain associativity with Showcase 2017
- Buy VRED Design
- Simple to use like Showcase (maybe a bit harder to use)
- Better rendering results
- You lose associativity with AutoCAD and Inventor, so you’ll need to re-import everytime there’s a change
- Excellent for use in automotive industry
- VRED Design can not open or import Showcase files
- Contact us for pricing and further details
- Use Autodesk 3ds Max
- Not as user friendly as Showcase or VRED
- Setting up the environment will be the hardest part but once it’s setup you’re good to go
- Has Associativity with AutoCAD but not Inventor (You can export Inventor to 3D DWG though)
- You will get better rendering results than any other package
- Has cloud rendering and VR capabilities
- You can also produce high end, professional animations, insert characters, crowd sequences and visual effects
- Included in the Autodesk Suite and Collection subscriptions
- Buy now at store.redstack.com.au
- Use Navisworks
- Easy to use
- Associative with Inventor and AutoCAD
- Rendering is not as good as the others
- You can export to FBX and get better results in 3ds Max if necessary
- Has cloud rendering and VR capabilities
- Included in the Autodesk Suite and Collection subscriptions
- Contact us for pricing and more information
- Rendering in A360
- A simple cloud rendering service available from the Rendering tab in AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, and 3ds Max (may require cloud credits).
- Contact us for pricing and more information
- Revit Live
- An interactive visualization service offers Revit users the ability to transform their designs into interactive 3D models.
- Contact us for pricing and more information
- Autodesk Inventor Professional
- Use in product visualisation workflows for product reviews, rendering, and animation directly within the software.
- Buy now at store.redstack.com.au
Autodesk Showcase Discontinuation Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Autodesk discontinuing Showcase?
Autodesk Showcase is a software solution for customers who need to evaluate alternative designs and aesthetics of their 3D models. Autodesk has been improving the visual quality and usability of their in product visualisation features and has introduced cloud based visualisation technologies. This change will allow us to invest more into new and emerging cloud based visualisation tools.
When will Showcase be discontinued?
- From March 21, 2017, Autodesk will no longer sell new or additional subscriptions of Showcase.
- Showcase will remain part of the 2017 Design Suites composition but will be removed from 2018 Design Suites. Showcase is not included in any industry collections.
- From February 1, 2018, Autodesk will no longer offer renewals of subscriptions or maintenance plans for Showcase or deliver any new versions or updates.
Can I continue to use Showcase after discontinuation?
Yes, if you have a perpetual license or a subscription, you may continue to use Showcase in accordance with those entitlements. Please contact your local authorized Autodesk reseller for more information on your entitlement. Showcase will be removed from 2018 Design Suites. You can continue to use your version of Showcase within your Design Suite, however direct access using Suite workflow to Showcase from within Autodesk products such as AutoCAD, Inventor and Revit may no longer be supported. If you wish to continue using Showcase with newer version of a Design Suite, you may bring in data from newer CAD products using neutral formats such as STEP, IGES, FBX, or DXF to your version of Showcase.
Can I renew my Showcase subscription?
Yes, you can renew the current subscriptions on a monthly, quarterly, or annual term until January 31, 2018. Multi-year subscription renewals will not be available from March 21, 2017.
What alternative solutions does Autodesk have for Showcase?
For general design - AutoCAD Design Suite users
- Simple visualisation - Rendering in A360
- Advanced visualisation - Autodesk 3ds Max
For Architecture, Engineering and Construction industries - Building Design Suite users
- Simple visualisation - Autodesk Revit Live
- Advanced visualisation - Autodesk 3ds Max
For Manufacturing industry - Factory Design Suite users
- Simple visualisation - Rendering in A360
- Advanced visualisation - Autodesk 3ds Max
For Manufacturing industry - Product Design Suite users
- Simple visualisation - Inventor in-product workflows
- Advanced visualisation - Autodesk 3ds Max
For Automotive industry - Alias Users
- Simple visualisation - VRED Design
- Advanced visualisation - VRED Design
For plant industry - Plant Design Suite users
- Simple visualisation - Rendering in A360
- Advanced visualisation - Autodesk 3ds Max
For Media and Entertainment industry - Autodesk 3ds Max and Maya users
- Simple visualisation - VRED Design
- Advanced visualisation - Autodesk 3ds Max
More information
Contact Redstack for more information or further advice on 1300 667 263.
