Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
(OP)
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I'm researching the idea of upgrading from a 2d version of AutoCAD (2004 with LDD) to a 3d version for use in the site design/ land develoment field. Is 3d the way of the future? Will companies that do not upgrade to 3d be left in the dust? Will the companies that use 3d effectively create a superior product? Thanks!
I'm researching the idea of upgrading from a 2d version of AutoCAD (2004 with LDD) to a 3d version for use in the site design/ land develoment field. Is 3d the way of the future? Will companies that do not upgrade to 3d be left in the dust? Will the companies that use 3d effectively create a superior product? Thanks!





RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
"Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?" ... No.
"Will AutoCAD 3D change civil engineering?" ... No more than than any other 3D civil engineering package.
"Is 3D the way of the future?" ... Yes.
.
"Will companies that do not upgrade to 3d be left in the dust?" ... Probably not for quite a while yet, but eventually, yes.
"Will the companies that use 3d, effectively create a superior product?" ... Not necessarily.
"Will the companies that use 3d effectively, create a superior product?" ... Quite likely.
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
AutoCAD has been 3D-capable since at least version 9, and likely before that.
It's also been solids- and surface-capable since at least version 14.
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RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
I don't think Autocad 3D will change engineering, other 3D software already did...
IJsbrand.
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
rnip
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
A lot of work that civil engineers do can be completed as effectively with 2D tools. And for anything other than really complicated designs 2D is fine. You may find the additional benefit of doing all your work in 3D may be limited. For really complex designs though it is a real help but if your company does a lot of house extensions it might not prove very cost effective.
We use Autocad Inventor at my work and there is no doubt it has its uses, but the majority of our drawings are still just 2D. That said our Norwegian Office does everything in 3D regardless.
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
All models are garbage in, garbage out. But the results, whether they be a process simulation or a 3D plant model, give the observer a false sense of reality- the exact same way that a digital display gives people a false sense that the result is more precise than a vernier scale etc. It takes a finely honed skepticism based on experience to overwhelm the brain's tendency to turn "seeing" into "believing". 3D models combined with inexperienced observers can easily equal disaster.
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
However, if you are say in Mechanical, than I do expect to see most of the drawings in 3D on a computer. I want to be able to see everything about parts, not just certain angles. There is a lot of details in parts and if I am looking for a certain area of the part. It is much easier for me to rotate the part to see what I'm looking for inside of trying to find it through pages of 2D drawings.
rnip
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
I do believe that there are some fields that will not benefit from 3D drawings as much. Civil Engineering is one of those fields because I would not expect to see a building layout in 3D, nor would I expect to see piping layout in 3D. However, I have seen 3D building layouts, and they are impressive, but not needed yet.
However, if you are say in Mechanical, than I do expect to see most of the drawings in 3D on a computer. I want to be able to see everything about parts, not just certain angles. There are** a lot of details in parts and if I am looking for a certain area of the part. It is much easier for me to rotate the part to see what I'm looking for instead** of trying to find it through pages of 2D drawings.
rnip
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
The more solid models are used the more useful they become, be that for simulation, machining, inspection or whatever.
I fail to see any advantage in 3D over 2D for say a simple shaft; an aeroplane wing is completely different.
Some things are better in 2D I can see no use what so ever in having for example the national grind modelled size, but 2D drawings representing key features obviously do have a use.
My personal belief is that 2D and 3D will move further apart and become totally separate.
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
3D is a tool. If you don't use it, and everyone else requires it, then yes, you will get left behind - no different than if you are still running Windows98.
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RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
Did mechanical pencils change engineering?
Did the introduction of Vellum instead of Linen or Mylar instead of Vellum change engineering?
OK so the change from 2D to 3D is probably more significant than the above examples but still just a tool.
As regards a detail response to your actual questions Cor Limey and others cover it rather well.
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
NOW don't get me wrong here, I do see a need for 3D! Any mega-buck project where a client needs to do a "walk-thru" ...makes prefect sense (unless you want to do models again!) But I haven't seen a mega-buck project in 20 years, and IF I ever get one I'd be the first to get a 3D program! ...But until I do, not call me, I'll call you! ...Mark
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
People make the difference and the change.
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
your discipline is civil/environmental. if you do site design/utility/highway design/terrain modelling then yes 3d modeling will be most helpful (i.e.Autodesk, Eaglepoint). For other applications you will want to meet with your competitors/colleagues as your existing and potential clients will expect whatever state-of-the-art product that is availble and in use in your locale.
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
3D as a mechanical solution is the equivalent jump as from paper drawings to 2D AutoCAD. There is no comparison for the design speed of making parts and then assemblies - checking interferences- FEA analysis - and quick generation of machining drawings from the models (assuming you use a parametric software package).
I wouldn't be able to comment on the specific benefits in Civil work. However, the benefit in mechanical design situations at this time are so immense that I would assume anyone using AutoCad in a mechanical design project would most likely be carrying club as well.
roadapple
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
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RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
Adopted 3D and abandoned any concept of disciplined drawing or 'design communication' standards, work flow etc.
Seems like 3D hasn't taken hold in civil the same way it has in mechanical & aerospace. I'd primarily listen to the people from your own industry for advice as to whether you should make the jump at this point.
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
Plate and sheet materials have material thickness tolerance and out of flatness conditions. The model shows absolute flatness and thickness.
MadMango commented on the 2D work flow. Quoting a part to a supplier with a model would be rather difficult, especially if the supplier cannot intrepret the data. 2D prints are still required currently.
Even within the engineering community agreement on which 3D model to use has not been established. Pro-E, Catia, Unigraphics or AutoCAD which do you use? I like to use Rhino for 3D modeling but not for drafting. There are many others.
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
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RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
Tobalcane
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RE: Will AutoCAD 3D change engineering?
If you really want to hop on the 3D band wagon (which I think is fine) I would look into packages other than Acad. Don't get me wrong, I like Acad, but it has more or less evolved into 3D, whereas something like Solidworks (I know, your doing site work so that's not the software for you but I've got to stick with what I know) was developed specifically for solid modeling. Maybe there's something more specific to your field.
3D versus 2D? If you're a crappy engineer/designer in 2D you're going to be a crappy engineer/designer in 3D. It's just that now there will be a whole new dimension to your crappiness.