3D Modeling Techniques
ZW3D vs Creo Lesson Five No 3D Modeling Can Be This Convoluted Streamlined Sketching/Feature Based Modeling
Modeling note:
It is funny,
you may not realize how you model because you have many ingrained
processes from the past. I have been doing Boolean (direct edit)
design since the beginning of solid modeling in CAD. As I have been doing these comparisons I
realized that I design in shapes. ZW3D has primitive shapes and
robust direct edit functionality. I look at the drawing and pick out
the basic shapes of the part instead of creating a sketch. You can see that in this part.
I saw some Fusion 360 exercises online and
I decided to compare ZW3D. It quickly turned into a study in
modeling techniques. I have created
many comparison lessons with Fusion 360, Creo,
Solidworks, Solid Edge, Catia, Inventor and NX to
show the difference between ZW3D and my modeling techniques. I found
every
presenters wasting massive amounts of time with overly complex
constrained sketching procedures. I was so unimpressed that I
decided to model the parts or assemblies showing my modeling
techniques plus ZW3D's superb design system.
Many of these modeling techniques can easily
be implemented even within the most Solidworkish of systems. I call
it Streamlined Sketching and Feature Based Modeling. Please review a
few of the above ZW3D vs these other systems, there are some very stark differences.
Please watch
a Creo user model this part! I really think that Creo cannot be a
complicated as this user makes it. I use two sketches, two
extrusions, one primitive cylinder, 5 holes, 4 fillets! Except with
the primitive shape, which would be a simple extrusion, any system can do
this like I did in ZW3D.
Technique, technique, technique!!
With all the
tedious constrained
sketching for this simple part for the Absolute Beginner, you can imagine a
complex part?
While creating 3D models from drawings is the very best
way to learn 3D CAD and maybe some design techniques it does not
expose the designer to the design flexibility necessary in design. IronCAD is all top down due to the single model environment.
Creating mating parts is a cruise. But modeling is just one aspect of a
well designed productive 3D CAD system.
Creo
is a marginal 3D CAD system based on the dated Pro/e history
based modeling system released in 1988. I sold Pro/e years ago
and found it not productive enough
for our engineering department. We use what we sell. That gives us
the experience to effectively support our user base.
I would do a
video, but I really am not good at it. So I will show you step by
step. I will try and get ZW3D support to create one. They are
very good.
The modeling technique is hugely responsible for
the level of productivity. Those of you that are only trained in the
sketch, sketch, constrain, constrain world are truly limited by not
using the freedom of feature based design, that is available in even
the most Solidworks-ish of CAD systems. If your
designers are designing in these very unproductive and time
consuming processes it might be time to review your standard design
processes. Don't have any do you?
These lessons have actually turned into exercises in
modeling techniques as compared to showing a more productive CAD
systems. Again, I say, there are many different ways to model a part.
I see with my exposure to direct edit modelers like CADKEY, I
rarely sketch like you see the Solidworks fellow doing. I have always
created my basic sketches by mostly creating offsets and extending
and trimming or. It seems to be much easier. I never put in a fillet that
can be created later. What do you think?
Since ZW3D
is a sketch based product with a primitive shape option I will
create the model in both processes. The sketched based model will be
done with StreamLined Sketching to show the incredible simplicity
and productivity over the de facto constrained sketching.
I
create a new Part/Assembly file.
Note: When doing production
design you can use the Multi-Object file to create a part file under
a top file. You then could keep a legacy of modifications or similar
parts in a single file
We are already in
millimeters. So we can start modeling.
I
create the first sketch on the XY plane
For the life of me I
do not know why we start throwing in graphics of the basic shape and
add constrained dimension instead of just defining the features as
we create the sketch.
We look at the drawing and see some
basic shapes.
We see a rectangle 100 X 145! So we will start
with that. We create the rectangle and put in the size in the dialog
box.
I use entities for my construction. I will
delete the right line of the rectangle and put in a 42mm vertical
line to define the center of the radius. Again we put the length of
the line in the dialog box! No constrained dimensions.
We
add a circle that defines the radius and size it in the dialog box.
We just create two angle lines tangent
to the circle define the angles. Nope, no constrained dimensions
yet.
We delete our construction graphics and trim our entities and we are
done. We will add the fillets later.
We
exit the sketch and extrude the base.
We
insert a cylinder primitive on the top face and locate it and set it
to add. Having primitive shapes to work with cuts design time. It is
quite fun and clever as you get proficient.
We
create a YZ plane at the center of the cylinder.
We
create the sketch and create the graphics by creating a centerline
for construction. The length of the line is defined in the dialog
box! No constrained dimensions.
We create 15mm offsets.
Add
the top and bottom lines and delete the centerline and we are done
with the sketch. Not one constrained dimension. We will add the
fillets later.
We just extrude the profile and add the fillets.
We use the create hole feature for the hole in the side face.
Again
we use the Create Hole Feature for the top hole. We will create a
counter bore.
Now for the life of me I do not know why the Creo presenter created
the center hole first. Why in the world do these Creo clone users
always use a revolve to create a hole. Why not use the hole
generator he uses later.
We will create the fillets on the required edges first and use
the centers to locate the holes. Again we use the Create Hole
Feature to create the three holes.
Oops I put the wrong size
on the hole in the side feature. No problem just edit the hole
feature.
We
add the fillets.
We
are done. Not one constrained dimension. They are hugely time
consuming. It is much better to directly create the sketch feature
then constrain it later. So easy and straight forward.
He is
the drawing so you can give StreamLined Sketching/Feature Based
Modeling a try.
Give me a call if you have any
questions. I can set up a skype or go to meeting to show this part
or answer any of your questions on the operation of ZW3D. It
truly is the Ultimate CAD/CAM System.
If you are interested in adding professional
hybrid modeling capabilities or looking for a new solution to
increase your productivity, take some time to download a fully
functional 30 day evaluation and play with these packages. Feel free
to give me a call if you have any questions or would like an on-line
presentation.