3D Modeling Techniques Defined

PLM, PDM, MBE, MBD, PMI, realistic rendering etc, have little to do with increased engineering productivity, more than likely hinders it. Yet, these are the things the Major CAD systems are focused. 3D modeling functionality basically has hit its end, probably around 2010. I use that date, because it was the year that Solidworks included direct edit functionality.

The Major CAD systems know that and have to make "3D CAD" more than modeling parts, just to keeping your maintenance current. Autodesk and PTC have even given up on that and just went directly to subscription only. It truly time to break the hold they have on us!

You are Not Stuck with Autodesk

3D Modeling is the basis for our engineering. That is the only place where productivity is paramount. You can have all the PLM/MBE gurus debating data management in their ivory towers, but it does not add one smidgen of productivity to the design process.

I have coined two design processes that I have been using for decades as compared to the conventional sketching and modeling practices used by the Solidworks and Fusion 360 users in the exercises below. I have found a few that do use these techniques and wonder why they are so much faster with their work. We are talking an increase of 10X in productivity and more.

Streamlined Sketching

This is where there are no constrains required. Mostly applying descriptive geometry to your sketching techniques. This process alone can increase productivity 10X. Don't believe me? Review a few of the exercises below. It shows up in both Solidworks and Fusion 360 below. Both of the presenters have learned the Pro/e constrain, constrain, sketching process. Very time consuming. Many are in this box and it is time to step out into a much more productive sketching process.

Here is an example of what PTC calls a 3D modeling challenge that consisted of only two sketches and some blends. This is an example of the limited view from the Pro/e clones which dominate our Industrial/Mechanical industry today.

High Speed Sketching in Creo? What?

Feature Based Modeling

I have watched the Solidworks and Fusion 360 presenters in the following exercises sketch features that could have easily been put in later. They sketch fillets or blends and other shapes that take up a huge amount of time consuming constraining. I will use the shelling command instead of sketching profiles. You will also see how I use primitive shapes to cut 30% of our design time. Sketching is part of our design process but not the whole process. Take some time to review the following exercises and see if you can incorporate some of these very productive design techniques.

This is one of the more blatant examples of feature based modeling as compare to extensive sketching.

IRONCAD vs Solidworks Lesson Three

ZW3D vs Solidworks Lesson Three