If one thing stands out about the design tool space in 2011, it's that instead of a flurry of semi-esoteric features that only true CAD jockeys can appreciate, a lot of the buzz surrounded conventional information technologies -- an indicator of just how far CAD, CAE, and PLM have progressed in terms of being woven into the mainstream computing fabric.
It was just a scant couple of years ago that CAD pundits seemed to spend hours obsessing over the virtues of history trees while indulging in the on-going debate over what modeling paradigm was better -- the longstanding, history-based parametric approach or the newer, history-free direct modeling standard. (See: 3D Modeling Debate Spurs New Generation of CAD Tools.)
Pages of reviews and countless commentaries were devoted to deciphering obscure features or command strings that might somehow improve how to define assembly relationships, for example, or simplify fillet creation. The industry has been consumed by new features that advance the hard-core functionality of the tools without necessarily making them easier to consume or integrating them any closer to non-engineering workflows.
Today, the uproar over modeling paradigms has simmered down with most major CAD platforms addressing both approaches quietly and sometimes behind the scenes, so the user doesn't have to take a stand. Forget about factions arguing about 2D vs. 3D -- that's old news and, again, a non-issue for most users. While no single breakthrough technology knocked it out of the park this year to address the usability issue, all of the major CAD and PLM vendors kept their eye on the prize of making CAD or even CAE more accessible to a broader audience. Here are a few of the developments orchestrating the shift:
1. Integration with mainstream collaboration tools. There was a flurry of activity around syncing up design tools with mainstream collaboration platforms like Microsoft SharePoint. The idea: to allow engineers to move seamlessly between 3D modeling and traditional productivity applications like Microsoft Office and email.
PTC launched a new CREO design platform in 2011.
2. Rethinking the CAD platform. Some vendors, like PTC, challenged the whole notion of the monolithic CAD application. Earlier this year, PTC introduced Creo, its next-generation CAD platform in the form of interchangeable apps that can be mixed and matched based on the functionality that's required. (See: PTC Launches New Creo Design Platform.)
3. Exploring the social side. There was also a move to incorporate social media functionality into CAD and PLM tools, adding Facebook-like functionality that might help engineering organizations better locate experts, provide feedback on designs, and even stay up-to-date on project status.
I think you've covered all the bases here, Beth. The only trend we haven't seen is one that mitigates vendor lock in. As tools continue to expand from point products to full-blown PLM suites, I'm not sure that will ever really be addressed.
Absolutely, Ann. On top of that, if I was going to choose only 2 communication modes, those would not be the choices. But maybe that's for the under 30 crowd.
Yes, there is a wide range of communication. The focus on social networking is probably because it's new and it has facets not found in other forms of communication -- bringing in people without regard to distance or even time. Plus there is the ability to create groups with individual interests. There is also the ability to archive the communication for later recall or further sharing. From a professional point of view, there are strong attributes.
I agree Ann, that having multiple modes of communication is preferred. I think the real productivity surges come by having these multiple forms of communications, including social media, tightly integrated into the design tools so there is constant collaboration and interaction at every stage of the development effort and no matter where the team is located.
I have a tough time understanding what's so great about only being able to use 2 modes of communication. Isn't it better to have multiple modes at one's command? In addition to texting and Facebook-ing, I can fax, email, phone, type or handwrite (printed or cursive) and send that via snail mail, or visit someone in person. Moreover, my brain's vision algorithms recognize cursive handwriting as well as hand-printed letters and various typefaces, and they even interpret hand gestures and facial expressions (something I'm not always sure is true about teenagers).
Meanwhile, I think social media is probably revolutionizing the integration and interaction of far-flung global engineering teams.
The cloud can really make an impact in design tools. The major way this happens is to make more back end computing available to CAD users. As the front end tools and platforms become more portable and powerful, the ability to intergrate back end processing to realize a more on-demand computing approach will help revolutionize CAD tool design as well.
And yes, I can relate to the notion of Facebook and texting as the primary communication tools of the phone for young users. The other day I was driving my 15-year-old daughter to dance. She was either texting or on Facebook (this is constant) and her phone rang. She was startled. She looked at the phone like it was from outer space. Then she answered it. It was her mom, one of the few people who actually call her.
I would guess the social networking tools will evolve to manage individual groups of users who have varying levels of access to the design: internal users, vendors or customers, and outside experts. Facebook is developing and deploying group tools to segregate communication based on individual groups, so the ability to manage groups is coming if not already there.
Absolutely, Rob. My 14-year old thinks it's weird to call someone on the phone and rarely graces his email. It's either texting or Facebook as a means of communication. That said, young engineers are not going to conduct vital engineering work in the open forum of a Facebook or another public social network. But many of the conventions that social network tools bring to the fore--the idea of communities of experts, ratings, likes and dislikes, commenting, search functionality--those can all be brought to bear in traditional CAD and PLM tools to make them more social and more akin to how the younger generation perfers working.
By experimenting with the photovoltaic reaction in solar cells, researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough in energy efficiency that significantly pushes the boundaries of current commercial cells on the market.
In a world that's going green, industrial operations have a problem: Their processes involve materials that are potentially toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive. If improperly managed, this can precipitate dangerous health and environmental consequences.
With LEDs dropping in price virtually every year, automakers have begun employing them, not only on luxury vehicles, but on entry-level models, as well.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 5
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
3 
