3D Modeling Techniques ZW3D vs Solidworks Lesson Three
Feature Based Modeling Streamlined Sketching
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 one
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.
Many of these modeling techniques
can easily be implemented even within their existing system. I call
it Streamlined Sketching and Feature Based Modeling. Please review a
few of the above ZW3D vs Fusion 360
and Solidworks
lessons, there are some very stark differences.
This is by far the most stark example of the difference between
constrain sketching and Streamline Sketching and Feature Based
Model!
Watch the Solidworks presenter
struggle with Sketch Modeling of this part. Sketch modeling is
incredibly time consuming and tedious.
I am introducing "Feature
Based Modeling". You think in terms of shapes instead of sketching.
Even though my software offers a bit more flexible operation any 3D
CAD software can be utilized in "Feature Based Modeling". Please
take a look and realize the incredible increase in productivity.
Here is the drawing if you would like to
give it a try.
While creating 3D models from drawing 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.
ZW3D is all top down due to the Multi-Object environment.
Creating mating parts is a cruise. But modeling is just one aspect of a
well designed productive 3D CAD system.
Solidworks
is a marginal 3D CAD system based on the dated Pro/e (Creo) history
based modeling system. I have sold this product years ago and found
it, like all of the other Solidworks clones, 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?
We are already in
millimeters. So we can start modeling.
To show you how a mindset operates I started the IronCAD lesson
modifying a Torus. I started the ZW3D Lesson without the Torus
primitive and even made this part more simple by just creating a
cylinder with full fillets. This could easily be
done in any 3D CAD system.
So lets get started. 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.
ZW3D is very Solidworks clone like by being based on sketching. the
primitive shapes option can increase productivity 30%!
We will start by inserting a primitive cylinder and sizing it
250mm diameter by 60mm thick
This is where I
differed from IronCAD. We just add a couple of 30mm filets and we
have our filled torus. This step alone saves many steps.
Now we just add the hole in the center
with another primitive cylinder and size it.
We
need to trim the bottom. We will
sketch a rectangle.
Note: In IronCAD and ZW3D, sketching is
just not the first choice. Here is an example where sketching was
the best option.
Just extrude it and we are ready to shell our part.
We shell it 10MM. Why the Solidworks
presenter has never thought of this is obvious. Sketching is
their only choice.
Planes, planes, planes. We create the plane
and locate it for the hole. Then
insert a primitive cylinder.
We
pattern the holes.
Then mirror the holes and we are done.
Virtually no sketching. Sketching is not a
bad thing, but as the only option it is just a time consuming productivity killer.
This is another stark example that feature
based modeling with a mixture of primitive solids and streamlined
sketching can increase productivity 10X in this case. I
usually estimate 5X increased productivity in conceptual design and
10X in changes, and I believe I am being conservative. ZW3d can
edit most of the Solidworks clone parts and assemblies faster than it
can be done in the native CAD system.
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.
