3D Modeling Techniques ZW3D vs Solidworks Lesson Four
Primitive Shapes & 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, Solidworks and Creo
lessons, there are some very stark differences.
I was quite pleased to have found these exercises from a Solidworks dealer and thought I would show the difference in my
modeling technique plus the highly productive modeling method
offered by ZW3D. I again show modeling techniques that can easily
be streamlined even within their existing system. I call it feature
based design. Please review a few of the above ZW3D vs Fusion 360
lessons, there are more very stark differences.
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 lets get started.
This part takes 8 simple steps
including one sketch! 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 similar to Solidworks by being based on sketching.
The added primitive shapes option can increase productivity 30%!
We will start by inserting a primitive block and size it.
Note: Designing with primitives is an added feature to making
"Feature Based" even more productive. This is one of the reason I
have selected IronCAD and ZW3D to represent.
We add
the fillets at this level. It is not much time saving, but is shows
you a "Feature Base Modeling" mind set that focuses on streamlining
your modeling.
We
insert another primitive block and set it to remove and size it.
Note: You have four primitive block options. It takes a bit of
playing to get a handle on how they work, but you can see the
incredible productivity advantages. Design with primitives gives you
more control over your design than with sketching.
Insert another block and size it.
Designing with primitives reduces the tediousness of "Sketch
Modeling", making design much smoother and a more pleasurable
experience.
I noticed that the SW presenter
sketched this from the bottom plane. I would have used the face as
the sketching plane. But it is six of one and a half dozen of
another. It is just interesting watching a different modeling
process.
We now
put in the fillets. This was the first time I have seen a Solidworks
clone user create a full radius with a command instead of sketching
it.
We have to sketch the slot. Lucky ZW3D supplies a 2D slot option.
We extrude the slot and add the
hole and we are done. Again the SW presenter is still sketching.
There you go, an adventure in the
highly productive "Feature Based Modeling" with primitive shape
design.
This is another stark example that feature
based modeling with a mixture of primitive solids and streamlined
sketching can increase productivity 5X 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.
