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Autodesk Alias Reviews & Product Details

Autodesk Alias Overview

What is Autodesk Alias?

Alias® industrial design software powers your creative process with a range of sketching, modeling, surfacing, and visualization tools.

Autodesk Alias Details
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Product Description

Alias® industrial design software powers your creative process with a range of sketching, modeling, surfacing, and visualization tools.


Seller Details
Seller
Autodesk
Year Founded
1982
HQ Location
San Francisco
Twitter
@autodesk
283,861 Twitter followers
LinkedIn® Page
www.linkedin.com
15,711 employees on LinkedIn®
Ownership
NASDAQ:ADSK
Total Revenue (USD mm)
$3,790
Description

Autodesk is a leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software. If you’ve ever driven a high-performance car, admired a towering skyscraper, used a smartphone, or watched a great film, chances are you’ve experienced what millions of Autodesk customers are doing with our software. Autodesk gives you the power to make anything.

Recent Autodesk Alias Reviews

Verified User
U
Verified UserSmall-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
4.5 out of 5
"Best in class product for Designers, Product Design, Automotive Styling and Interiors"
Freeform modeling capability, easy to create organic shapes in Alias which is difficult in other parametric applications.
Heten D.
HD
Heten D.Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
3.0 out of 5
"Quick & Short Alias Review"
great surfacing quality and tools, integrates well with other autodesk design softwares like vred
Verified User
U
Verified UserMid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
4.0 out of 5
"Alias Design Software Review "
I like the way I can customize this software to meet my specific needs. Alias design has very powerful features which help me to come up with quali...
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58 Autodesk Alias Reviews

4.0 out of 5
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58 Autodesk Alias Reviews
4.0 out of 5
58 Autodesk Alias Reviews
4.0 out of 5

Overall Review Sentiment for Autodesk AliasQuestion

Time to Implement
<1 day
>12 months
Return on Investment
<6 months
48+ months
Ease of Setup
0 (Difficult)
10 (Easy)
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Verified User in Design
UD
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Autodesk Alias?

Freeform modeling capability, easy to create organic shapes in Alias which is difficult in other parametric applications. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Autodesk Alias?

There are a lot of tools that are not organized well. They can improve in the arrangement of tools and options which may reduce user confusion. For many years they follow the same UI. Also, should improve visualization (Rendering capabilities). So many crashes, especially while loading or working with heavy files. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Autodesk Alias:

Best software for product design. Little difficult to learn because of a lot of tools and options here and there. But overall this is the best application used in the Automotive industry for external and internal automotive styling. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Autodesk Alias solving and how is that benefiting you?

Automotive styling is easy with the help of Alias. It is used for both interior and exterior automotive styling. Also, it has an inbuilt visualization capability. It helps in freeform modeling. Creating a difficult shape is easy using Alias. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Heten D.
HD
CG Lead
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Review source: Organic
What do you like best about Autodesk Alias?

great surfacing quality and tools, integrates well with other autodesk design softwares like vred Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Autodesk Alias?

too heavy, crashes/freezes often. UI could be made more user-friendly Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Autodesk Alias solving and how is that benefiting you?

Lets cad conversion of multiple cad formats, also allows to repair incorrect surface description Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

CM
Interior designer
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Autodesk Alias?

This tool has very good features which makes designing work very interesting. Alias design is easy to use and it is also customizable. This software can be used in almost all fields. I also like this software because it can be intergrated with many other softwares thus making your work much easier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Autodesk Alias?

The customer service is not good and I come across bugs when using this software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Autodesk Alias:

This is the best design software that I have used and I recommend it to designers. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Autodesk Alias solving and how is that benefiting you?

Designing and project management Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Gabriel H.
GH
Freelancer
Design
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Autodesk Alias?

Alias is a very powerful tool for surface modelling , with very complex tools that are helping the user to achieve best quality in a very fast time.

Highly compatible with other design packages.

Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Autodesk Alias?

For begginers is not very user friendly and as an Autodesk user it's a bit hard to switch from other Autodesk software to Alias as everything is different.

Hard to learn (first 6 months)

Not enough support for new users Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Autodesk Alias:

Alias is essential in design industry, almost will guarantee you a job as long you have a good level of skills and a good eye for design and 3d modelling. Definitely is over most of other design packages on the market. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Autodesk Alias solving and how is that benefiting you?

Provide Great 3d surfacing to my customers and having the possibility to easy import other file formats as various customers work with different packages, Alias is highly compatible . Most of the products I have designed , at one stage they were taken to Alias, so I can say, Alias is the place where the most automtive and product design is done. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Kenny C.
KC
Technical Consultant
Design
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Autodesk Alias?

Alias has been the standard for technical surfacing for decades. The name alone instills confidence, but using the software has been inspiring. With the powerful surfacing and sampling tools we have been able to design new products with ease as well as reverse engineer physical prototypes and other scanned data into very clean and tight models. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Autodesk Alias?

The UI is a little antiquated, but the software remains powerful. If the pallets and toolboxes were of a more modern feel, the software would be easier to use (and the overall learning curve would not be as steep). Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Autodesk Alias:

Try Alias SpeedForm as well - it is aimed at automotive designers, but the T-Splines functionality is amazing! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Autodesk Alias solving and how is that benefiting you?

Alias has allowed us to create stunning 3D models of our industrial design projects. When compared to other solutions, nothing can match the outright power and performance of Alias on technical surfacing. We used to spend days or weeks in other tools and we can achieve the same results in hours using Alias. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Pierre B.
PB
Product Design Student
Design
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
(Original )Information
What do you like best about Autodesk Alias?

This software is really powerful, lot of modeling possibilities and parameters.

The modeling quality is really advanced and precision is adjustable.

You can modelise geometry with curvature continuity in lot of differents ways.

It's easy to modify in details each surfaces, and adjust one to one them.

It's one of the most used software in car modeling. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Autodesk Alias?

The software can crash at every moments, you need to spam the save shortcut often.

It is really hard to handle at the beginning, its ergonomy is awful and you will need to learn specific shorcut in order to built basic surfaces.

If you plan to print your model in 3D, you have lot of chance to find holes in your file, that will make some issues with 3D printing.

The CTRL+Z is not always available, and you have to think about backsave if you need to go back to change something. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Autodesk Alias:

Be patient, and keep learning and stay curious. Try all functions ^^

This is awsome after few crashes, then you understand the mechanic, you will improve your skill faster Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Autodesk Alias solving and how is that benefiting you?

I modelised some complex product where aesthetic and surface quality were important. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Automotive
UA
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: Organic
What do you like best about Autodesk Alias?

- Ability to go from sketch to surface in the same environment.

- Sketching on surfaces.

- I like its Diagnostic shading options. Gives a real good idea about how your surface quality.

- I also work with Rhino, but Alias is better and easier at continuity checking, intersecting, trimming/cutting works really well.

- I love it how they put a Transition Guide for Rhino users that shows equivalent tools and differences compared to Rhino.

- Transforminc CVs is a blast. Gives you great control and versatility over surface editing. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Autodesk Alias?

- Alias Surface has "Explicit Control", Alias Design does not. have it. It gives you full control on number of CV and Spans while building the surface. So if you want to have Class A Surfaces, you need to have Alias Surface, which is way more expensive compared to surface. And Alias Surface is not as good at sketching as Alias Design: so Autodesk kind of forces you to make a decision if you need more surface quality. And you have to pay more for a minor difference for End-User.

- Transformng is really great with different mouse buttons designated to different axes. But transforming in Rhino gives more control on what to snap where. Sometimes in Alias, you have to guess.

- It needs a simple 'Shear' command like Rhino.

- We need more Filleting tyles like ICEM. 3-radius fillet, combination of chordal and radius control etc. Even Alias Surface does not offer that. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Autodesk Alias:

If you want to have sketching and surface modeling in the same software, Alias Design is prefect for you.

If you are using Rhino or Solidworks but want to have better control and quality, choose Alias Design.

If you want to have Class A or something close to it, you should get Alias Surface instead, but you have to have a separate software for sketching. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Autodesk Alias solving and how is that benefiting you?

I use it for creating concepts, building initial surfaces or sketch surfaces. I quickly sketch on graphics on my 3D surface and create lots of variations, very easily too. I sometimes open it and sketch on a canvas, then start building it in 3D in the same environment without going outside either for sketching or surfacing. But recently we had to favor Alias Surface because of its superior surface control and use Alias Sketch for initial sketching process. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Darren M.
DM
President
Design
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
(Original )Information
What do you like best about Autodesk Alias?

I'm an automotive/product designer using this program for the past 8 years. Alias allows a great deal of freedom with the surfacing and the ability to create 'Class A surfaces'. There's multiple ways to create the same surface so as you begin to understand the tools you're able to create a surface in the specific way that will work best for your application. That could anything from creating surfaces to be used directly for tooling or molds, or transferring it to an engineer who may be the one completing the 'B-surfacing' of the project.

Compared to other CAD software it allows a larger degree of form making freedom where others have a lot of restrictions or 'rules' to follow. You could say it's the bridge between actual clay sculpting and the more mechanical technical modelling of programs like Solidworks or CATIA Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Autodesk Alias?

It would be nice to have a few more tools that allow for precise techical modelling, but as Autodesk releases new versions these tools are becoming more available and refined.

Having the ability to create solids easier and transfer files to other software could be made more easy or accessible, but again Autodesk has taken many steps to making this happen.

There has yet to be a tool within the program that can change a mesh file into polygonal/nurbs surfaces. There are many work arounds to this, but having that tool would be helpful. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Autodesk Alias:

Work through as many tutorials and lessons early on so that when you jump onto actual projects your time and work process is seamless. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Autodesk Alias solving and how is that benefiting you?

I'm an automotive/product designer for the past 8 years and almost every project I'm involved in requires the organic, free form abilities of the Alias design/surface/autostudio tools. Where other software falls short in creating free form surfaces, Alias is built perfect for. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

MR
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Review source: Organic
What do you like best about Autodesk Alias?

Innovative design features. Compatibility with other Autodesk products. High precision for 3D functions. Many interface options and tools. Best for NURBS surface modeling. Custom features for automotive design and Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Autodesk Alias?

This program should have options as other Autodesk programs for users who need it maybe for one project for a few months. Rendering options could be more developed since Autodesk has it done in other products that are used for 3D. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Autodesk Alias:

This is the best program for perfect industrial design for the last 25 years. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Autodesk Alias solving and how is that benefiting you?

Industrial design. Creative design and surface 3D surface modeling. Surface testing and volume calculation of objects. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Mathias R.
MR
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: Organic
What do you like best about Autodesk Alias?

This 3D program easily creates accurate and precise surfaces. It can be used to create just about anything from a basic handle, to headphones to the exterior and interior of a vehicle. If you are learning this program or are curious to learn more advanced techniques Autodesk Alias has a YouTube channel that uploads videos abut every week. The videos cover speedform techniques and in-depth, complex modeling. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Autodesk Alias?

The basic learning curve to start using the program is rather short, it is on the same level as with any new program. When you start to dive into more advanced, and complex forms it can get difficult if you are new to the program. There are many ways to complete one task, options are excellent but can become confusing. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Autodesk Alias:

If you wish to get into Industrial Design, you should be using this program. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Autodesk Alias solving and how is that benefiting you?

Alias can open many other file types, often I use it to import from other modeling programs to check scale, increase or decrease the object size and get it ready for 3D printing or machining. Also the surface rendering shows true highlights with class A surfaces which allows an accurate preview of the surface along with ways to manage and adjust the surface to get the best product out of the program. Once you have the real product out of the machine the hard work you put into perfecting the surface shows in your final product. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.