Computer-aided design is the process of developing the design of a part, object, or product through computer software before it’s ever made into a product.
When artists, manufacturers, design engineers, or any other professional needs a certain part that can’t be sourced through traditional means, it has to be made through processes like 3D printing, molding, CNC and more. However, trying to fabricate certain parts can exhaust plenty of resources trying to create the perfect digital twin model before having the final product made.
Instead of trying to exhaust physical resources, CAD allows designers and engineers to create a prototype on CAD software. These are developed, tested and refined virtually until the models meet the size and other specifications needed. The design is then processed and created into a physical object.
By using CAD, engineers and manufacturers can make their processes more efficient while reducing the costs and resources used to make the correct prototype.
3D CAD Modeling Methods
Through 3D CAD programs, users can take 2D pictures of the top, bottom, left, right, front and back of the object and easily convert them into a 3D object on the software. Since then, CAD modeling has developed into various styles and applications. While 2D and 2.5D CAD are still in use, many CAD modeling methods are generally classified under 3D CAD modeling.
While 2D and 3D CAD models address the same purpose, 3D models present users with better details and specifications about a single part and how it relates to all the other parts when assembled into a 3D object. On software, 3D CAD is more realistic, provides a better view of the assembled product and takes into consideration how two objects can fit and interact with each other. This isn’t always possible with 2D CAD.
Users can classify 3D CAD modeling into three categories:
3D Wireframe Models
3D wireframe models are skeletal representations of their object. This consists of arcs, lines, circles and curves and helps users determine an object’s edges and depth. Some of the benefits used in wireframe models include the following:
- Basic design creation makes it easier for users to assess an object and make the necessary changes.
- 3D view from any angle and perspective. The skeletal representation makes it easier for designers to see the entire object’s shape from any angle.
- Ensure the precision in the object’s composition by noting factors like distance, perspective, potential differences, corners and more.
- Automate the orthographic and auxiliary views.
- Easily add surface textures when more graphical detail is needed.
Surface Models
Surface models build out visual representations of an object’s exterior. It’s more complex than wireframe models (which only show the skeletal representation) but less comprehensive than solid modeling, which has the most detail.
In other words, you only see the surface shape of the object. Your object can be geometrically and physically incorrect with no defined mass or thickness – which solid modeling provides. Some of the benefits of using surface models include:
- Make changes to an imported model that can open without any of its features.
- Design complex shapes as you start from basic shapes and can edit your model to have the right features.
Solid Models
Out of all the 3D CAD models, solid models are the closest to a real-life prototype before being developed. Aside from the geometrically and physically accurate figures, these models also take factors like weight, volume, thickness and density into account. Some advantages of using solid modeling include:
- Use geometrically correct objects that give a complete view of the object.
- Avoid component collision during assembly, as solid models ensure that all surfaces meet properly.
- Ensure the aesthetics of a model by providing 3D lifelike views, which can be an essential tool for designers and artists.
- Accurate features like thickness and strength are taken into account, which makes them more accurate to the real-life physical model compared to wireframe and surface models.
- Allow users to fine-tune their models before manufacturing a physical model, which reduces the time, costs and other resources that go into fabrication.