How about Bonsai Root... or something similar that connotes 'foundational' or 'platform'..
I too agree with the sentiment, shared by a few above, that it will quickly grow beyond just being a viewer. The roadmap already hints at functionality beyond a viewer.
Agree- from just the initial description, I can see this being much more than a viewer. I think my top three are:
1. Bonsai Cultivate
2. Bonsai Conduct
3. Bonsai Garden
Bonsai Viewer is simple. Cultivate sounds nice, as if you were growing a bonsai, but the sense of editing doesn’t really fit with the app’s functionality.
What about ‘Bonsai scape’? It’s a different term when referring to plants, but doesn’t it sound a bit like a landscape?
@theoryshaw said:
How about Bonsai Root... or something similar that connotes 'foundational' or 'platform'..
I too agree with the sentiment, shared by a few above, that it will quickly grow beyond just being a viewer. The roadmap already hints at functionality beyond a viewer.
Check urban dictionary for Australia-New Zealand meaning
**iBonsai Viewer **（i for integrated， Bonsai is welll known for ifcopenshell now, it is brand now, so just add a letter "i" before Bonsai, everyone knows it is about ifc itself, so no need to add ifc there) thanks.
@BimETS said:
I strongly support Bonsai Viewer as the name.
It keeps valuable brand continuity with Bonsai, which is already well recognised and trusted, while clearly differentiating the use case by explicitly stating that this is a viewer / coordination tool, not an authoring environment. The name is immediately understandable, honest, and easy to explain.
“Viewer” sets the right expectations, but is also flexible enough to cover advanced coordination features (clash detection, audits, 4D/5D, topology, analysis, etc.) without sounding limiting in the long term. From a user’s perspective, the mental model is instant: Bonsai = authoring, Bonsai Viewer = coordination & review.
Compared to inventing a completely new brand, Bonsai Viewer reduces confusion, avoids brand dilution, and leverages the credibility Bonsai already has within the openBIM / IfcOpenShell ecosystem. With clear website positioning and messaging, any potential ambiguity is very manageable—and likely much smaller than the cost of introducing a third, unrelated name.
Overall, it feels like one of the most balanced options in terms of clarity, maturity, scalability, and community alignment.
The only thing I don't like about this is the fact that the Viewer it does a disservice. I agree with pretty much everything.
I'm pretty sure you can type anything into urban dictionary and find some sort of ridiculous definition. I just typed in Bonsai and ... well, that's an exercise for the curious.
I'm wondering if Bonsai viewer etc. responds to a requested new name. Especially since the software might developed into an editor and beyond. My vote goes to Coral as it relates to (IfcOpen)Shell, Coral is created as a collective structure. And with warming oceans coral stands for sustainability.
If it develops into an editor, I can say 1) there will always be a market for a super minimal viewer 2) there will also be a separate market for a superuser coordination tool 3) there will also be a market for a fully fledged authoring app. And, all these three probably apply equally on desktop and web, and dare I say it, even tablet. So hence the discussion about "Is Bonsai" the umbrella for user apps, with "Bonsai Foo" denoting the market, or is "Bonsai" purely authoring, and "Coral" (or etc) purely coordination, and "Foobar" purely X, etc.
I may be straitened but also prefer Bonsai "Viewer" - because it gives a hint of what is about.
Of course I could live with anything else - if needed.
I already have a bit of a problem with Bonsai, until it is so worldwide well known like Tempo/Kleenex for paper handkerchiefs. I am still shy to hint people to "Bonsai" as a recommended BIM viewer or authoring tool. I did not feel so when it was still Blender + BlenderBIM AddOn.
Yesterday I just tumbled about render mode (?) "Coin" in FreeCAD. WTH should that be ?
and had to search inside the FC Wiki.
(What list entry may have the desired "Coin" thing when you search the www, a 5 digit position ?)
Spoiler :
Coin3D is a free and open-source implementation (library) of the Open Inventor API.
I also think, once the "Viewer" gets also a complete "coordination tool" - it could just get a new name, or exists happily beside the "Viewer"
@KoAra said:
Are you concerned that the name ‘Bonsai Viewer’ might give the impression that it is a tool for observing bonsai plants? I hope that isn’t the case XD
I searched for "Bonsai Viewer" and found some Apps that were more Bonsai authoring tools as just Bonsai Viewers. With documentation options and tips how to edit miniature trees and such features.
I think the target crew already knows and is familiar well enough with the brand Bonsai, so there is no confusion with a BIM tool ... ahem small trees in pots ....
Therefore it might not really need a hinting name for a Viewer ;)
Na, I don't think I am the only one who is right and that it really needs an explaining name. I am fine with any kind of name that gets voted democratically and will get used to it anyway.
It's just a name. It's the content that will convince.
A heads up that today is the 18th of May :) At least in Australia where we live in the future. I'll leave it until tomorrow for any last words, but so far the name "Bonsai Viewer" seems to be the clear preference.
Bonsai checker
It should start with Bonsai I think. Bonsai viewer works just fine but I think it will be more of a modelchecker rather than a model viewer.
We now need to decide on a web presence. Some options:
Do we change to https://getbonsai.org (or something that isn't "BIM" at the end) so that we get a single domain without suffixes, that way it isn't "Bonsai BIM" but "Bonsai Viewer", "Bonsai Something", "etc".
Does "Bonsai" stay as "Bonsai" or does it become "Bonsai Studio", "Bonsai Suite", "Bonsai Full", etc
Later on (ping @YassineO ) when we get a web thing, (I think it'll be super cool at least) is that another website? Subdomain? What will it be called? Bonsai Web?
Right now, https://bonsaibim.org only shows screenshots for the Blender-addon - these decisions will affect how it evolves :)
Congratulations guys! Thanks for participating :) Even if it's not the most original name, the obviousness of it speaks for itself, and that's definitely a plus. If in a couple of years the name appears too limiting for what the tool does we can always reevaluate, but for now it's really nice to have a name when working through the remaining items to have this tool ready.
Now, off to a splash/about screen competition ;) ?
I prefer viewer.bonsaibim.org I don't think it's worth switching domains in terms of pagerank et al and a subdomain is nice and cheap :)
Agree with @aothms, for now build the app, as you could just have multiple subdomains:
viewer.bonsaibim.org
blender.bonsaibim.org
web.bonsaibim.org
Just to note get-bonsai.org is available but I think from an SEO perspective having 'BIM' in the domain isn't necessarily a bad thing (also effort is spent where it matters - in the app!)
We now need to decide on a web presence. Some options:
- Do we change to https://getbonsai.org (or something that isn't "BIM" at the end) so that we get a single domain without suffixes, that way it isn't "Bonsai BIM" but "Bonsai Viewer", "Bonsai Something", "etc".
- Does "Bonsai" stay as "Bonsai" or does it become "Bonsai Studio", "Bonsai Suite", "Bonsai Full", etc
- Or do we get a separate domain http://bonsai-viewer.org
- Or do we create subdomains https://viewer.bonsaibim.org or https://viewer.getbonsai.org ?
- Later on (ping @YassineO ) when we get a web thing, (I think it'll be super cool at least) is that another website? Subdomain? What will it be called? Bonsai Web?
Right now, https://bonsaibim.org only shows screenshots for the Blender-addon - these decisions will affect how it evolves :)
consider for multi language, including the chinese one..and find some people to cooperate together :)
of course, i would love to join the team and make it in chinese version
Comments
Although I support “Bonsai Viewer,” here are a few suggestions less on the “practical” side, exploring "lightness" and "simplicity":
ifcShell viewer :) however, Bonsai Viewer is great too.
How about
Bonsai Root... or something similar that connotes 'foundational' or 'platform'..I too agree with the sentiment, shared by a few above, that it will quickly grow beyond just being a viewer. The roadmap already hints at functionality beyond a viewer.
Agree- from just the initial description, I can see this being much more than a viewer. I think my top three are:
1. Bonsai Cultivate
2. Bonsai Conduct
3. Bonsai Garden
Bonsai Viewer is simple. Cultivate sounds nice, as if you were growing a bonsai, but the sense of editing doesn’t really fit with the app’s functionality.
What about ‘Bonsai scape’? It’s a different term when referring to plants, but doesn’t it sound a bit like a landscape?
Check urban dictionary for Australia-New Zealand meaning
@Nigel i couldn't find anything on my search. Can you share more hints? :)
:D
You guys have dirty minds down there. ;)
**iBonsai Viewer **（i for integrated， Bonsai is welll known for ifcopenshell now, it is brand now, so just add a letter "i" before Bonsai, everyone knows it is about ifc itself, so no need to add ifc there) thanks.
The only thing I don't like about this is the fact that the Viewer it does a disservice. I agree with pretty much everything.
I'm pretty sure you can type anything into urban dictionary and find some sort of ridiculous definition. I just typed in Bonsai and ... well, that's an exercise for the curious.
I'm wondering if Bonsai viewer etc. responds to a requested new name. Especially since the software might developed into an editor and beyond. My vote goes to Coral as it relates to (IfcOpen)Shell, Coral is created as a collective structure. And with warming oceans coral stands for sustainability.
If it develops into an editor, I can say 1) there will always be a market for a super minimal viewer 2) there will also be a separate market for a superuser coordination tool 3) there will also be a market for a fully fledged authoring app. And, all these three probably apply equally on desktop and web, and dare I say it, even tablet. So hence the discussion about "Is Bonsai" the umbrella for user apps, with "Bonsai Foo" denoting the market, or is "Bonsai" purely authoring, and "Coral" (or etc) purely coordination, and "Foobar" purely X, etc.
I may be straitened but also prefer Bonsai "Viewer" - because it gives a hint of what is about.
Of course I could live with anything else - if needed.
I already have a bit of a problem with Bonsai, until it is so worldwide well known like Tempo/Kleenex for paper handkerchiefs. I am still shy to hint people to "Bonsai" as a recommended BIM viewer or authoring tool. I did not feel so when it was still Blender + BlenderBIM AddOn.
Yesterday I just tumbled about render mode (?) "Coin" in FreeCAD. WTH should that be ?
and had to search inside the FC Wiki.
(What list entry may have the desired "Coin" thing when you search the www, a 5 digit position ?)
Spoiler :
Coin3D is a free and open-source implementation (library) of the Open Inventor API.
I also think, once the "Viewer" gets also a complete "coordination tool" - it could just get a new name, or exists happily beside the "Viewer"
Are you concerned that the name ‘Bonsai Viewer’ might give the impression that it is a tool for observing bonsai plants? I hope that isn’t the case XD
I searched for "Bonsai Viewer" and found some Apps that were more Bonsai authoring tools as just Bonsai Viewers. With documentation options and tips how to edit miniature trees and such features.
I think the target crew already knows and is familiar well enough with the brand Bonsai, so there is no confusion with a BIM tool ... ahem small trees in pots ....
Therefore it might not really need a hinting name for a Viewer ;)
Na, I don't think I am the only one who is right and that it really needs an explaining name. I am fine with any kind of name that gets voted democratically and will get used to it anyway.
It's just a name. It's the content that will convince.
A heads up that today is the 18th of May :) At least in Australia where we live in the future. I'll leave it until tomorrow for any last words, but so far the name "Bonsai Viewer" seems to be the clear preference.
Bonsai checker
It should start with Bonsai I think. Bonsai viewer works just fine but I think it will be more of a modelchecker rather than a model viewer.
"Bonsai Viewer"
Count me in for Bonsai Viewer then. No Coral stuff for me sorry.
... and the big reveal ...
Bonsai Viewer!
We now need to decide on a web presence. Some options:
Right now, https://bonsaibim.org only shows screenshots for the Blender-addon - these decisions will affect how it evolves :)
I personally fancy https://viewer.bonsaibim.org. It feels appropriate.
Is https://getbonsai.org even an option, I really like it but the domain appears to be occupied.
Yes, you're right, it's taken. Here are some other ideas that aren't:
Congratulations guys! Thanks for participating :) Even if it's not the most original name, the obviousness of it speaks for itself, and that's definitely a plus. If in a couple of years the name appears too limiting for what the tool does we can always reevaluate, but for now it's really nice to have a name when working through the remaining items to have this tool ready.
Now, off to a splash/about screen competition ;) ?
I prefer viewer.bonsaibim.org I don't think it's worth switching domains in terms of pagerank et al and a subdomain is nice and cheap :)
Agree with @aothms, for now build the app, as you could just have multiple subdomains:
viewer.bonsaibim.org
blender.bonsaibim.org
web.bonsaibim.org
Just to note get-bonsai.org is available but I think from an SEO perspective having 'BIM' in the domain isn't necessarily a bad thing (also effort is spent where it matters - in the app!)
consider for multi language, including the chinese one..and find some people to cooperate together :)
of course, i would love to join the team and make it in chinese version
Do you guys like any of these logos?
Any of them worth to be fine tuned to become official logo?