3D Modeling Techniques
ZW3D vs Creo Lesson
One Streamlined Sketching/Feature Based Modeling
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" and six
"ZW3D
vs Solidworks" lessons to
show the difference between ZW3D and the two programs and my
modeling techniques. I found the Fusion 360 and Solidworks
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 IronCAD vs Fusion 360
and Solidworks
lessons, there are some very stark differences.
Here is the drawing if you would like to
give it a try.
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?
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 and height on the lower corner locate and size. We use
the lower corner so we can use the dimension in the drawing
directly.
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%.
Now for the next 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 are
done with the basic shape in 3 functions. Compare that to the poor
Creo presenter who is still sketching.
Now we are done with blocks we will add the base cylinder. We locate
it and size it.
Now for the small top cylinder.
Again we use the cylinder set to remove for the thru hole.
The last cylinder for the holes in the
flanges.
Modeling with sketches
ZW3D being a sketch based system is very similar to Creo. In the
beginning it was a sketching only package. I really never cared for
all of the planes that had to be created with this design paradigm
and it took me awhile to be comfortable with them.
We have one
sketch. We select the front face on the flange for the sketch.
This will take us to the sketch mode. I create the arc and put in a
rectangle to close it. This is what I call Streamline Sketching, no
constrains used.
We exit the sketch mode.
We
select extrude remove and pick the sketch.
We
are done with the part. Look at the time we saved at least 5X. This
is a simple part imagine all of the time being wasted by the sketch
only based systems. I could do the part with Streamline
Sketching and could still cut the modeling time in half.
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.
