3D Modeling Techniques
ZW3D vs Solidworks Lesson Fourteen Primitive
Shape Design 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 comparisons to Fusion 360, Onshape, Solid Edge, NX, Creo,
Catia and Inventor lessons to show the difference
between ZW3D and my modeling techniques. I found the presenters working
identically 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 '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
comparison lessons, there are some very stark differences.
Please watch
a Solidworks user model this part!
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.
Solidworks
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
first go do configuration and set the units to MM.
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
Modeling with Primitive Shapes
We are already in millimeters so lets get started.
We create a sketch on the YZ plane with Z selected as up.
I create the basic circle add a couple of
lines and do two offsets and we have our basic graphics. So simple,
so clean.
We now just trim/extend and delete any
reference entities.
We extrude the profile
We
will now add the small boss by inserting a cylinder primitive,
locate and size it set it to add.
Now
we will create the base by creating another sketch on the YZ plane.
I create a rectangle locate and size it.
I
extrude the profile, it still has the same options as the earlier
extrude.
Another sketch on the YZ plane we create the basic entitied for the
basis of our profile by offsets and drawing them from existing or
resulting locations.
We
trim/extend as required and delete the reference entity.
We extrude the profile and set to add.
We
insert a cylinder primitive on the side face locate, size it and set
it to remove. Designing with primitive shapes offers more options
and flexibity with your designs.
We will create our last sketch again on the YZ plane. Virtually all
of our graphics have been built around this plane. We just create a
10mm offset and create a horizontal reference line create
symmetrical offsets and add the vertical line and we have the basic
graphics for our cut. We will put in the fillets later.
ZW3D
lets you create offsets from existing graphics including sketches,
so there is no need to create reference entities.
We use trim/extend to corners so there are just four steps.
We
exit the sketch and extrude it. The extrude command is still set
with the symmetric option so we just put in the new dimension.
We
will put a hole in the boss.
We
put in the threaded holes.
Now
the holes in the base.
Now for the fillets
We are done! You can use the StreamLined sketching in any
system, it cuts the time by more than half.
Here is the drawing if you would like to
create the 3D model. the small cut at the left side the side
view.
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.
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.
