Now Is The Time To Go 3D

 

You’ve used 2D for a long time. You like it. You’ve got lots of legacy data, little down time to learn something new, and are comfortable using your current package.

The only problem is that your competitors are using 3D. If you aren’t familiar with the benefits of 3D, now is the time to brush up on where design, especially for mechanical applications, is going. 3D eclipses 2D design in nearly every aspect, a fact that has been documented by nearly every major CAD publication for several years.

One thing is certain: if you are using a 2D package you spend more time making your drawing than you do designing your product, putting you behind competitors with faster 3D systems.

So what’s so great about 3D?
3D is to 2D what 2D CAD is to pencil and paper: a dramatically faster, more efficient, and more precise way to do what you’ve always been doing. But depending on what you do, increased efficiency isn’t the only reason, nor necessarily the main one, to switch to 3D. There are things you can do in 3D you simply cannot do in programs like AutoCAD.

A few of the things you can only do in 3D:

• Photorealistic rendering for client presentations

• Finite element analysis

• Make changes easily and have your drawings update automatically

• Send a picture along with your drawings to ensure the machinist knows the final result

• Parametric design

So what is this “parametric” word I’ve been hearing about?
Parametric is a fancy word for “easy to make changes”. It means that everything you make, for example the length, width, and height of a box, is defined by parameters. The vast majority of parameters can be considered dimensions. If you want to change the height of the box, you would just double click its dimension and enter a new value, which would update the size and appearance of the box in real time. The real power of parametric design comes into play when you have a big design change to make.

Let’s take the straightforward example of designing a bicycle wheel. Currently, if you changed the radius of the tire, you would also have to change the length of each spoke, which means a lot of rework. Using parametric design, you could make every spoke update its length or angle automatically based on the radius of the tire. Your drawing will also update for you to reflect the changes you made.  So by changing only one parameter, the radius of the tire, the change has cascaded down throughout the entire design. There simply is no comparison in speed or accuracy.

So what’s the catch?
Many 2D users think they will have to sacrifice something in the transition to 3D. This misconception is something producers of 2D software are keen to perpetuate. The reality is that 3D packages are very mature and have compatibility with 2D programs. The ability to import and export DXF and DWG files is standard on every major 3D CAD package, which means your legacy data won’t be lost and is still usable. The only thing you will have to sacrifice is a little time to learn. Alibre’s world class training and support ensures that your downtime is minimal. Alibre Design’s cost means that most people achieve a positive ROI on or before their first project.