3D Modeling Techniques
ZW3D vs Solidworks Lesson Five
Streamlined Sketching/Feature Based Modeling
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 and Solidworks 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.
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.
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 model 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.
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
constrained sketching 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?
I could do this model a bit more
productive but I want to start it without too much design intent
study to shows some interesting features in ZW3D. It is obvious
you would start with the cup since you have to shell it. But you will see
Streamlined Sketching and Feature Based modeling is much more
productive and flexible. It gives you a more real world feel to
your design process and is a much more pleasurable and productive experience.
We are already in
millimeters. So we can start modeling.
We start by sketching
the handle contour.
We now create
offsets of 7.5 mm
We delete the original contour and
connect the ends and we are done with the sketch. Notice there are
no constraints.
We exit the sketch mode and create the
extrusion at 15mm.
We
now need to make the center cut on the handle. We will create a
sketch on the front face. We just create 5mm offsets and close the
ends.
We
exit the sketch mode and extrude remove the new sketch to the depth
of 5mm
Now we are going to use feature based modeling by mirroring the
feature.
Now to add the features on the left side. We will insert a cylinder
on the top edge of the handle and size it and add to the model.
We
again mirror the feature.
For the
center cylinder we insert a cylinder on the top of the existing
cylinder and size it.
We
just insert a cylinder on the top of the existing cylinder and set
to remove to ceate our hole. We are done with the handle
We
insert a datum plane in the Z axis 37.5 + 27.5 to sketch our cup.
We create a sketch in the new datum plane and sketch the cup.
This is an example of Streamlined Sketching. I create two reference
lines and construct offsets. No constraints.
This
shows all of the graphics used to create the cup. I will delete and
trim the entities to get the top of the cup. The only input was for
offsets and the corner fillets.
Here
is the final sketch. We have to add the fillet in the sketch since
the drawing shows the taper. The Solidworks presenter missed this.
We exit the sketch mode and extrude 27.5 with 10 degree draft.
We add the fillet on the bottom.
Now we
have to shell the cup. Obviously we can not shell it here since it
would also shell the handle. So we will have to revise the history.
We could have developed the cup first but I wanted to show how to
fix this.
Now we
just select continue to end and unsuppress the other steps and you
can see our handle sticks into the cup.
Since
our handle is an extruded shape we can just edit the sketch.
We
exit the sketch mode and we are done with the part.
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.
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.
