Article

3D CAD - Putting Our Designs into Perspective

We walk around every day in a world of three dimensions, floating through the x, y, and z planes without ever thinking about what's going on. Although our brains may process information in a three dimensional way, most of the time what comes out on the other end of a design is a two dimensional form, a flat item that looks close to what we were thinking with that missing third element. With software like a 3D CAD program, people are able to take their multi-dimensional thoughts and actually produced the results that were in their heads, even if it shows up on a 2D screen. With the 3D CAD software, the designs that already exist in the mind are able to fully come to life with the accuracy and speed that only a computer could produce.

To use a 3D CAD program, a person simply enters some dimensional information about an object on a screen to create something that looks like an unfolded cardboard box. Once the dimensions are inserted into the 3D CAD system, the program puts that “box” together to form whatever shape was intended. A person can then look at the product from 360 degrees by just moving the mouse around. The item on the screen from the 3D CAD program looks exactly as it would in real life; it's just on a flat surface instead of in model form. 

The 3D CAD drawing can function just as well as a model could for design adjustments as the only aspect missing from it versus a real product is the sense of touch. That missing element may not be a bad thing though because typical models are made with some human error and cost a lot of money and time to build. Minor adjustments in a built model can take days to construct, but a change on a 3D CAD design can be made in a matter of seconds. It is this quality in 3D CAD that make them sought after among engineers and designers alike as it provides instant results for instant thoughts that come to mind.

3D CAD software takes human thought to a whole new level, giving members of the field a chance to make their designs come to life quickly and accurately. Use of programs like 3D CAD help eliminate the factor of human error, which is not exactly ideal in a situation where human lives are probably involved. With each step of the design process, 3D CAD is there to guide the way to precise results that can't be found anywhere else. Indeed, 3D CAD software has changed the way that humans get their thoughts out, and without it, we would still be missing an element in our production that is vital to success.