Not sure how broad they see the use case, but they definitely envision it as an integral piece of their suite, particularly the one targeted at industrial designers. It's all about providing soup-to-nuts capabilities so the entire design workflow can be done in the virtual world, enabling all of the product's attributes and variations reflected through each stage of its lifecycle to be accessed and shared as a digital 3D representation.
Alex: Yes, you are right that CAD has been moving to become less of a standalone tool to be incorporated in a broader PLM and digital prototyping suite. This kind of 3D sketch capability just further extends the suite on the front end, enabling the ideation and industrial design portion of design process which traditionally has happened on napkin sketchs or in standalone, disconnected tools.
The other trend you mention about 3D representations becoming the default--I think that's the newer trend, yet one also percolating for some time. As CAD and PLM tools become easier to use and as the suites stretch with capabilities for non-experts in the software, the 3D digital representation of a product becomes accessible to any one in the product development value chain, which is the end game for true digital prototyping.
Seems like a product well-suited to industrial designers. I can easily imagine this product being a hit in the design studios at the auto companies. Does Dassault foresee broad engineering use for this product?
Many of the stories Beth wrote during 2011 took forward the meme that CAD is moving/has moved from standalone point products to complete PLM integration. Lately, I'm sensing the beginnings of a second major trend, which is that we seem to be moving to 3D representations as the default, not just on the back end, but on the front end, too. Certainly this Dassault add-on is of a piece with this trend.
Thanks, Beth. That situation reminds me of the very early days of computer 2D draw programs. It took what seemed an unconscionably long time for them to become usable by regular people, and much longer for anything an artist would want to use. I'd imagine that doing this in a 3D drawing program would be a much more difficult task.
There have definitely been 3D sketching capabilities available, but I think vendors like Dassault are continuously improving and refining the tools so that the process is much more intuitive, akin to sketching with a pencil and paper. Traditionally many of these tools have been much more specialized and hard to use with cryptic interfaces and complex commands. This appears to be very much in keeping with taking the lead from the consumer devices and apps that you mention.
How cool that portable consumer device capabilities are influencing what's available for engineers. Beth, is 3D sketching new with this product, or has the technology/capability existed before?
I'm not saying hobbyists couldn't take advantage of 3D Sketch, but Dassault is positioning it as an extension to their professional 3D modeling tools, specifically as part of a portfolio of products aimed at industrial designers. So in that vein, I'm guessing that it's a pretty robust and powerful application and could be more expensive than a hobbyist is willing to pay. My point was it's not one of these free or several dollars sketch apps that are now found online. This is a serious development tool.
You mention this is not designed for the hobbiest. How does it differ? I would imagine a number of facets would be the same. Is it the connectivity to other industrial software tools that separates it from art sketching tools?
By refining topologies and using new fluid technology, Moog's new peak sine drive controller increases available power without increasing controller volume.
Lantronix Inc. has expanded its line of controllers for sensor networks with the release of a rugged controller that improves management of automation systems used in a number of industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, and chemicals.
Inspired by the hooks a parasitic worm uses to penetrate its host's intestines, the Karp Lab has invented a flexible adhesive patch covered with microneedles that adheres well to wet, soft tissues, but doesn't cause damage when removed.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
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
7 
