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3D Modeling Techniques 
ZW3D vs Solidworks Lesson Three
Feature Based Modeling
Streamlined Sketching

I saw some Fusion 360 exercises online and I decided to compare ZW3D. It quickly turned into a study in modeling techniques. I have created fifteen "ZW3D vs Fusion 360",  six "ZW3D vs Solidworks" and one ZW3D vs Creo lessons to show the difference between ZW3D and the two programs and my modeling techniques. I found the Fusion 360, Solidworks and Creo presenters wasting massive amounts of time with overly complex constrained sketching procedures. I was so unimpressed that I decided to model the parts or assemblies showing my modeling techniques plus ZW3D's superb design system.

3D Modeling Techniques Defined

Many of these modeling techniques can easily be implemented even within their existing system. I call it Streamlined Sketching and Feature Based Modeling. Please review a few of the above ZW3D vs Fusion 360 and Solidworks lessons, there are some very stark differences.

This is by far the most stark example of the difference between constrain sketching and Streamline Sketching and Feature Based Model!

Watch the Solidworks presenter struggle with Sketch Modeling of this part. Sketch modeling is incredibly time consuming and tedious.

I am introducing "Feature Based Modeling". You think in terms of shapes instead of sketching. Even though my software offers a bit more flexible operation any 3D CAD software can be utilized in "Feature Based Modeling". Please take a look and realize the incredible increase in productivity.

3D Part ( exercise 20) Solidworks Tutorial



Here is the drawing if you would like to give it a try.



While creating 3D models from drawing is the very best way to learn 3D CAD and maybe some design techniques it does not expose the designer to the design flexibility necessary in design. ZW3D is all top down due to the Multi-Object environment. Creating mating parts is a cruise. But modeling is just one aspect of a well designed productive 3D CAD system.

Solidworks is a marginal 3D CAD system based on the dated Pro/e (Creo) history based modeling system. I have sold this product years ago and found it, like all of the other Solidworks clones, not productive enough for our engineering department. We use what we sell. That gives us the experience to effectively support our user base.

29 Years of 3D CAD Incompatibility - The New Generation of 3D CAD!!




ZW3D vs Solidworks

I would do a video, but I really am not good at it. So I will show you step by step. I will try and get ZW3D support to create one. They are very good.

The modeling technique is hugely responsible for the level of productivity. Those of you that are only trained in the sketch, sketch, constrain, constrain world are truly limited by not using the freedom of feature based design, that is available in even the most Solidworks-ish of CAD systems. If your designers are designing in these very unproductive and time consuming processes it might be time to review your standard design processes. Don't have any do you?

These lessons have actually turned into exercises in modeling techniques as compared to showing a more productive CAD systems. Again, I say, there are many different ways to model a part. I see with my exposure to direct edit modelers like CADKEY, I rarely sketch like you see the Solidworks fellow doing. I have always created my basic sketches by mostly creating offsets and extending and trimming or. It seems to be much easier. I never put in a fillet that can be created later. What do you think?



We are already in millimeters. So we can start modeling.

I did this part yesterday in IronCAD.

IRONCAD vs Solidworks Lesson Three

To show you how a mindset operates I started the IronCAD lesson modifying a Torus. I started the ZW3D Lesson without the Torus primitive and even made this part more simple by just creating a cylinder with full fillets. This could easily be done in any 3D CAD system.

So lets get started.

Note: Pro/e clones have been starting with the sketch for almost 30 years. Even today the sketch is the only option in most programs. ZW3D is very Solidworks clone like by being based on sketching. the primitive shapes option can increase productivity 30%!

We will start by inserting a primitive cylinder and sizing it 250mm diameter by 60mm thick




This is where I differed from IronCAD. We just add a couple of 30mm filets and we have our filled torus. This step alone saves many steps.



Now we just add the hole in the center with another primitive cylinder and size it.



We need to trim the bottom. We will sketch a rectangle.

Note: In IronCAD and ZW3D, sketching is just not the first choice. Here is an example where sketching was the best option.

High Speed Sketching in Creo? What?



Just extrude it and we are ready to shell our part.



We shell it 10MM. Why the Solidworks presenter has never thought of this is obvious. Sketching is their only choice.



Planes, planes, planes. We create the plane and locate it for the hole. Then insert a primitive cylinder.



We pattern the holes.



Then mirror the holes and we are done.



Virtually no sketching. Sketching is not a bad thing, but as the only option it is just a time consuming productivity killer.



This is another stark example that feature based modeling with a mixture of primitive solids and streamlined sketching can increase productivity 10X in this case. I usually estimate 5X increased productivity in conceptual design and 10X in changes, and I believe I am being conservative. ZW3d can edit most of the Solidworks clone parts and assemblies faster than it can be done in the native CAD system.

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Please review the earlier exercises.

ZW3D vs Solidworks

ZW3D vs Fusion 360

ZW3D vs Creo Lesson One

You can see more on modeling techniques here.

3D Modeling Techniques Defined




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Give me a call if you have any questions. I can set up a skype or go to meeting to show this part or answer any of your questions on the operation of ZW3D. It truly is the Ultimate CAD/CAM System.


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If you are interested in adding professional hybrid modeling capabilities or looking for a new solution to increase your productivity, take some time to download a fully functional 30 day evaluation and play with these packages. Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions or would like an on-line presentation.

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