Freeform and organic shape modeling can be fun. If you have the right tools. In Organic Shape Modeling for Engineers (in the June issue of Design World magazine), I wrote about several really interesting tools. One that I didn’t write about (because it wasn’t generally available in time for printing deadlines) was Clayoo, from TDM […]
AutoCAD worm stealing DWG files
From threatpost.com: Security researchers have come across a new worm that is meant specifically to steal blueprints, design documents and other files created with the AutoCAD software. The worm, known as ACAD/Medre.A, is spreading through infected AutoCAD templates and is sending tens of thousands of stolen documents to email addresses in China. However, experts say […]
Cheetah, Creo, and 2D geometric constraint solvers
Last week, I wrote, in Solving the CAD concurrency problem, about 2D geometric constraint solvers. Solvers are one of the major components used in 3D CAD programs, and are the main part of the sketcher used in parametric feature (history based) modelers. They’re also used behind the scenes in direct modeling CAD systems. They’re pretty […]
PTC: The importance of design agility
Here’s an interesting term: Design agility. PTC defines it, generally, as “the power to make late-stage design changes quickly and easily .” They define it more specifically as “the ability to rapidly recognize features and patterns in imported models, enabling seamless modifications; design intelligence for dumb models.” You might expect that more specific definition from PTC, […]
Fixing the CAD/CAE Disconnect
One of the biggest impediments to the use of digital simulation and analysis in product development is the disconnection between CAD and CAE. This disconnection creates process roadblocks that push simulation and analysis out of the design process, and relegate it to the role of late-stage validation, where it can provide little more than go/no-go…
3D PDF is important again
The best choice for 3D data exchange, collaboration, and archiving may be a format that almost died a few years ago. The PDF format was invented by Adobe over 18 years ago. It’s grown to become the de-facto worldwide standard for the reliable distribution, exchange, and archiving of electronic documents. Yet, there was some doubt…
Solving the CAD concurrency problem
Earlier this week, I was doing some software testing on my lab machine. It’s a really nice Z1, on loan to me from HP. It has an 8-core high-end Intel processor. I brought up the process monitor as I worked, and watched, somewhat amused, as Autodesk Inventor pegged one core at 100% for several minutes, […]
Why Solid Edge matters, part 2: It’s the best SolidWorks alternative
Solid Edge ST5 is an exceptionally competent CAD system. If you’re looking for a new CAD system, based solely on its merits, Solid Edge should be on your list of tools to consider. Yet, there is one case where Solid Edge is not just an alternative, but is the obvious alternative. And that is if […]
Why Solid Edge matters, part 1: A little history
Siemens PLM Software has announced that Solid Edge ST5 will be available soon. Is this just another update of another mainstream CAD package? Yes. But Solid Edge matters more than you may realize. Let me start with a little history of Solid Edge. The product started out as a part of the Jupiter project, a […]
Organic shape modeling with PTC Creo Parametric Freestyle
There is no standard definition for what an “organic shape” is. Probably the best definition, in the context of CAD, is that it’s a shape that’s a real pain in the neck to model using traditional methods with NURBS surfaces. Here’s an example. While you could certainly find a way to model this shape with NURBS, […]
Parameterizing CAE models with COMSOL
AltaSim Technologies is a COMSOL certified consultant, offering consulting, training, and concept development. Essentially, a bunch of smart people who know how to do CAE right. Every once in a while, AltaSim sends out a tips & tricks email. Here’s one that caught my attention: Unless you know for sure (like 100% sure) that you […]
How Whirlpool uses PTC CAD and PLM technology
Home appliances aren’t what they used to be. Consider, for example, washers and dryers. At this week’s PlanetPTC conference, Fred Bellio, CIO of Whirlpool’s Global Product Organization, and Jeff Burk, Director of Whirlpool’s Constellation Program Management Office, described some of the complexities of his company’s Maytag Maxima line of washers and dryers. Washers and dryers […]
Organic Shape Modeling for Engineers
Reprint info >> When you think about things that are hard to model in a CAD system, you don’t often think of common products, such as jewelry, toys, sporting goods, and hardware. Yet, within these product categories you’ll find many items that incorporate organic (or free-form) shapes that present some serious modeling challenges. Historically, CAD…
News from the 3D Collaboration and Interoperability Congress
There are only two well-known annual events addressing CAD interoperability in the United States, and only one—the Collaboration and Interoperability Congress (3DCIC)—is open to all comers. It’s a bit surprising, considering how deeply rooted and expensive CAD interoperability problems are. At 3DCIC, which I’ve attended over the last few days, on the order of 100 […]
The Autodesk Skunkworks is hiring
I found them on Autodesk’s career site: job postings for a software architect, senior principal engineer, and senior software engineer, at Autodesk’s Boulder, Colorado development office. Two things caught my eye about these postings. First, they’re for very senior people; the kind that head-up major development projects. And, second, Autodesk didn’t used to have a […]
Meshless FEA: A new way to solve linear static FEA problems
Finite Element Analysis has been around for a long time. Better than 50 years. Though it took awhile for computers to catch up with the processing and memory demands of FEA, today’s average PC is up to the task, even for challenging problems. Why, then, is FEA still thought of by many engineers as a…
PLM Systems for Engineers
If you’re an engineer, you’re likely to be a lot more interested in CAD, CAM, and CAE software than in PLM software. That’s understandable. CAD, CAM, and CAE are used to create things. Creating things is fun: It’s the reason why most of us got into engineering in the first place. PLM software, however, is…
Now that Siemens PLM has acquired Vistagy, will Dassault Systemes play nice?
You may know that Siemens PLM recently acquired Vistagy, whose Fibersim software has been used to design 80% of the composites currently flying in today’s aircraft. Vistagy has been a long-term third-party partner not just to Siemens PLM, but also to Dassault Systemes. Though DS has its own composite design solution, many of its most […]
Why CAD is hard: Geometric problems
Imagine you were a CAD programmer (if you actually are one, play along with me here.) What problems would you focus your energies on? From my perspective, persistent bugs and software stability would be a good primary focus. But, let’s limit it to geometric modeling problems. Not just the run of the mill “fix this […]
Openness is in the DNA. Or not.
The big news in the world of interoperability is the Codex of PLM Openness (CPO). From AutomotiveIT: ProSTEP started the initiative for a CPO in 2011 and developed version 1.0 together with BMW, Daimler, Dassault Systèmes, IBM, Oracle, PTC, SAP, Siemens PLM, T-Systems and Volkswagen. The aim was to develop a common basic understanding on […]
Cloud CAD is really difficult
If you believe the buzz in the blogosphere, there are a lot of engineers and designers who are not at all happy at the prospect of some day being forced to use cloud-based CAD. The public lashback on cloud CAD started building several years ago, and it’s hardly abated since. The conversation has taken on […]
Free math software
I recently wrote about MathCAD Prime 2.0 and Maple 16 in an article titled Math for Engineers, in Design World. Both MathCAD and Maple are powerful tools for doing engineering math, and are much better choices than the tool most commonly used for this: Microsoft Excel. Yet, they’re not the only choices. Wikipedia lists 61 […]
Modo learns to speak NURBS
NURBS may be the standard surface representation for CAD, but that doesn’t mean they’re ideal for all design jobs. For conceptual design of organic shapes (for example, a motorcycle tank), there are certainly better choices. One surface type that’s become popular for this is the Sub-D, or subdivision surface. Modo, from Luxology, is a 3D […]
Math for Engineers: A Look at Mathcad Prime 2.0 and Maple 16
Engineers tend to fall in love with their tools. Or, at least, they tend to stick with the tools they’re familiar with. Look on any engineer’s computer, and you’ll see a pretty predictable set of office and productivity tools, and, often, a CAD, CAM, or CAE program. When an engineer runs across a new problem,…
Optimizing the Design of an F1 Brake Cooling Duct
If you were going to pick a challenging use case for CFD software, you couldn’t do much better than Formula 1 racing. It’s a high-stakes game, with fast development cycles, and even faster feedback on failures. Every two weeks during the season, F1 teams get a reality check on their engineering. As a practical matter,…