Product FAQs 

Why does Cloud9 use ‘haptics’?

Findings from Research (2000 - 2006) showed that the 3D touch, feel and movement that the haptic 3D ‘mouse provides enables us as designer makers and artists to tap into how we do things naturally. Being a more familiar environment (you feel every form, plane, edge, curve of your digital designs and models as tangibly as if real) Cloud9 requires less adaption than that needed for conventional design and drawing packages. This makes Cloud9 easier to learn and use, and is simply way more fun especially for easy and fluid creation and visualisation in 3D. By combining all the benefits of a digital world (too many to even start to list!) and a ‘risk free’ 3D sketch/modelling-space, with more intuitive real-world interactions there is the potential to design and create in an entirely new way.

Why do I have to have the Falcon Haptic device?  

Cloud9 is designed to use this device as it has the best balance between three essential requirements: 1. quality of both touch sensation and 3 degrees of movement, 2. affordability, therefore accessibility, 3. durability and reliability. Market Research showed these are essential for its take-up by the main group of people it is developed for – designer makers, applied artists, artists, designers, studio artists.

Can I use Cloud9 on my home computer?

Cloud9 can run smoothly in any mainstream desktop PC from 2005 or any middle-class laptop from 2006 with the following: a half decent graphics card (see the recommended specifications - graphics card, performance etc), the Falcon haptic device connected to your system and Activation and License codes. 

Can I have my Cloud9 set up on a second computer/laptop?

No, the license is for Cloud9 to be set up on one specific computer or laptop only. This is the reason that it is important to check that the recommended specifications are met.

I already have Cloud9 V2. Can I update it?

Yes, although your original license might need new activation numbers. Before downloading please take time to read through ‘Set up‘ page and note that your previous installations must be removed before installing V2.1.

Objects created in original versions of Cloud9 are compatible with V2.1 but will require saving and re-opening before undertaking any task to take advantage of new features such as ‘units’. This procedure converts it to the new data structure! Please contact us by email about activation.

Can I use Cloud9 on a Mac?

Yes, you need Windows OS as the Falcon will only run on this Platform. Then follow the setup procedure. We have had no recent feedback regarding who is using a mac and no reports of any problems. We will post any information we receive.

What is Creative Anarky?

‘Creative Anarky’ as a description (with the emphasis on the ‘An’): Anarkik3D as a company specialises in using a disruptive technology - 3D haptics (virtual touch) and 3D movement, disruptive because it dramatically changes the way we interact within a 3D digital space.  Our area of expertise is within the creative sector and our software Cloud9 is for creating and modelling 3D virtual objects.

Creative Anarky as a product: This is Anarkik3D’s Business bundle for a super charged start in learning the tricks, tips and techniques for using Cloud9 software for 3D modelling and designing for 3D printing.  With this bundle you give yourself (or someone that you know) the gift of an Anarkik3D custom course in using our Cloud9 platform and haptic (touch feedback) interface.  You'll get the basics under your belt and leave with the know how (designing and 3D printing), the kit (Cloud9 software and the Falcon haptic device) and enthusiasm (learning and working in a small group of like minded people) to construct and take your 3D digital dreams into reality. 

1 and 2 day Intensive courses have been scheduled for end of June and early September 2012, a 1 + Day course on 3D Printing in July, with more dates to follow. 

I am in Brazil. Can I download a demo of Cloud9?

No. A mouse driven demo would not convey the advantages and value that touch has and which clearly differentiates our product from other standard 3D modelling packages  (except Sensable’s products). The sensation of virtual 3D touch is from the forcefeedback generated by the Falcon haptic device. Therefore to use Cloud9 you have to have the haptic device. It is this combination of hardware and software that makes our product so different from CAD for sculpting.

Is Cloud9 better if you are a sculptor or a designer?

This question totally depends on the individual’s preferred way of working. What you are likely to find is that some designers and some sculptors work better with Cloud9 and its fluidity and some are better with the prescriptiveness and control that CAD (Rhino) offers. If both are used as the design dictates there is then the potential for the range and style of the work to expand and extend!

Is Cloud9 good for jewellery design?

Cloud9 is for all designers and is not specific to one discipline. Cloud9 is more suited to contemporary jewellery design and free forms that are difficult to achieve by Rhino whereas JewelCAD is developed for creating standard gem set designs.  Cloud9 objects can be transfer into Rhino using .stl (we have tested Rhino but not other parametric CAD packages).

How easy it is for designers that have used Rhino & JewelCAD to adapt to Cloud9?

Generally there is less adaption needed for Cloud9 but as designers have had to adapt to using Rhino, a small amount of unadapting will be needed (i.e. Cloud9 works in object mode NOT camera mode).

How is Cloud9 different from Rhino and JewelCAD

Cloud9 is more freeform whereas Rhino and JewelCAD are more precision based. Cloud9 complements CAD and some of our CAD users switch between Rhino and Cloud9 using the .stl format as Cloud9 is used more sculpturally to differentiate from usual CAD aesthetic.

How can you control parameters (dimensions) of the detailing & the product as a whole?

With Cloud9 dimensions can be controlled using scale function in 2 ways: using the x, y and z readout on the screen and using the grid which can be switched between meters, centimetres and millimetres. These are approximate and not absolute. The measure function will give length in cms.  CAD is perfect for controlling parameters and dimensioning so we recommend CAD where precision is required. Generally as sculptors and artists prefer not to be encumbered with a complex interface for precision and control and Cloud9 is optimised for their requirements.

How is Cloud9 different from Sensable’s haptic package

Sensables ‘Freeform’ uses a 6 degree of Freedom device (more expensive and not as robust), is more like modelling clay as it is based on voxels (like 3D pixels), more CAD-like with steeper learning curve. ‘Claytools’ can be described as a plug-ins for Rhino and 3DStudio and also use .stl as the transfer format.

Can Cloud9 be used to make industrial products like electronic enclosures?

This depends on the accuracy that is required. If high use CAD - industrial products like electronic enclosures are best designed by parametric CAD and can be imported into Cloud9 using .stl, .3ds, .obj

To get a flavour of Cloud9 there are mini video tutorials here: Also see both the gallery on our website and the one on Ingiegogo.