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3D Modeling Techniques 
ZW3D vs Creo Lesson Two
Streamlined Sketching/Feature Based Modeling
 A Bonus Streamlined Sketching lesson!


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 fifteen "ZW3D vs Fusion 360" six "ZW3D vs Solidworks" and "ZW3D vs Creo" lessons to show the difference between ZW3D and the two programs and my modeling techniques. I found the Fusion 360, Solidworks and Creo 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.

3D Modeling Techniques Defined

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 IronCAD vs Fusion 360, Solidworks and Creo lessons, there are some very stark differences.

Please watch a Creo user model this part!

With all the tedious constrained sketching for this simple part for the Absolute Beginner, you can imagine a complex part?

Creo Parametric 5.0 3d Modeling Tutorial for Absolute Beginner

 

Here is the drawing if you would like to give it a try. This is not a 3D drawing it is a detailed Isometric. There is no such thing as a 3D drawing. A drawing it a document done on a 2D plane.    
        
                      

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.

29 Years of 3D CAD Incompatibility - The New Generation of 3D CAD!!


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ZW3D vs Creo

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.

We are already in millimeters. So we can start modeling.

Modeling with Primitive Shapes

Again I instantly differ from the Creo presenter by inserting a primitive block at X0Y0Z0 and sizing it.  We have a variety of options for creating the blocks, we will use center and height.  This block makes up the base of the part. While he is concerned about sketching, I am thinking of basic shapes of the part. 

Note: Pro/e clones have been starting with the sketch for almost 30 years. Even today the sketch is the only option in most programs.




We insert a primitive block using corner on the lower corner locate and size.

Note: It takes a bit of playing with the blocks to get proficient. I have introduced many of our user to this function. I believe using primitives effectively can increase your productivity 30% if part of your design process.



We insert the small primitive block using corner on the lower corner locate and size.



We insert the top primitive block using corner on the lower corner locate and size.



We insert the last primitive block again using corner on the lower corner locate and size.



We will no create the top feature with the love command. We will create the sketch of the first circle.



For the next sketch will create a plane in the orientation of the first sketch and create the second circle that will make up the loft.

There is no need to take the extra steps to create the semicircle arc since the feature is going to be added.



Now for the loft we just pick the two circles and use



Now for the remove block. You can instantly see the difference. We think in terms of shapes instead of sketches. We just set the operations to remove instead of add.



We add the fillets for the cut. I believe we should use features like fillets when ever we can. Much easier for modifying the part later. Always remember the only constant in engineering is change!



Again we have an option to use features instead of making it part of the sketch. We put in the large fillet, then chamfers using the Asymmetrical Chamfer. I have done this all of my solid modeling life, over 24 years.

The Creo presenter did use the fillet command for the large fillet? So he is aware that they are available.



Now for the 20mm hole. We select the cylinder primitive, select the alignment plane and offset the distance from a reference location in this case the mid-point of the front face of the aft block.



We are done with the part. You can see the steps it took. One Creo expert told me in a previous lesson that he could do in in fewer step, he counted each sketch a step. No concern for all of sketching including the constraining done creating the sketch. He bought a seat of ZW3D Standard for his own engineering services. A seat of Creo was beyond his budget and with the native Creo translator he had all of his legacy data available.



The final part!



Since ZW3D is a sketch based system we will now create the part with ZW3D using StreamLined Sketching.

Modeling with StreamLined Sketching

We just open a new file. You can see the primitive lesson in the other tab.

We create a sketch in the YZ plane.



We first create the basic rectangle with the rectangle command.



Then the relevant offset lines.



Now we just use the one touch trim command to trim the lines to end up with our net sketch. Not one constraint used.



Exit the sketch and symmetrically extrude the feature.



We create another sketch on the YZ Plane.



Again we use the rectangle command. Size the rectangle in the command. No constrain dimensions.



We symmetrically extrude the sketch and select the add option.



One more sketch on the YZ plane. We again use the rectangle command putting the length and height.



Exit the sketch and extrude the rectangle.



We now create the last sketch again on YZ plane and create the last rectangle.



We extrude and set the function to remove.



Now for the small lofted feature on top.

We create the first sketch by picking the front face of the aft block.



We create the first circle for the loft. ZW3D automatically recognizes the mid-point on the the upper edge.



We create a plane on the aft face in the same orientation and create the sketch and the R13mm circle.

As I did above, there is no need to create semicircle arc since it is going to be added to the existing part and become an integrated feature.



Now for the loft command, we just pick the two circles, select add.



Now for the top hole. We create a sketch on the top face and set the up direction.



We create the 20mm circle but putting in a 12.5 vertical line to reference the location of the enter of the circle. We delete it before we save the sketch.



We exit the sketch and extrude the circle setting it to remove.



Again we have an option to use features instead of making it part of the sketch. We put in the large fillet, then chamfers using the Asymmetrical Chamfer. I have done this all of my solid modeling life, over 24 years.

The Creo presenter did use the fillet command for the large fillet? So he is aware that they are available.



The final part. The history tree does not reflect the lack to constrained dimensions that increases productivity of Streamlined Sketching available in the more Soldworkish clones.



You can see the two process that ZW3D offers are both hugely more productive than the tedious constrained based sketching.

You can see more on modeling techniques here.


3D Modeling Techniques Defined




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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.


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