While the general population often uses 3D printing (3DP) and additive manufacturing interchangeably, this should not be the case. To most people, 3DP mostly conjures up the image of a manufacturing machine, like a desktop printer or copier, that uses digital…
The evolution of the CAD space, coupled with the development of powerful CAD software, has transformed various industries. Gone are the days when engineers and designers had to use paper-based media to represent their 2D and 3D creations. Today, professionals use…
Companies are increasingly embracing digital transformation to enhance organizational and technical performance, scheduling efficiency, and the cost-effectiveness and execution of programs. Usually, such companies can choose one approach from a few alternatives. They can adopt the concept of digital twins. Digital…
There are several ways of integrating the real world into the digital world. These include digital twins, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). However, these methods are implemented differently, albeit tied by a common thread: computer-aided design….
Traditional product design systems have largely used sequential design processes, a sharp contrast to collaborative CAD software that use concurrent design processes. These systems break down a design task into smaller tasks that are sequentially executed following a predefined way of…
Prototyping is a centuries-old concept, while virtual prototyping is a relatively new development. Centuries ago, inventors and designers created miniature, physical representations of products they wished to create to assess the suitability of their designs. This process was time-consuming and often…
Creating 3D CAD models is a perfect way to discover the ins and outs of any part or assembly. It is also an ideal avenue to learn about – and hone skills in – how to use some of the features…
The selection of architectural CAD software is vast and varied. Given that each option has distinct characteristics, finding the best architecture program can be challenging. Fortunately, we intend to simplify the decision-making process by helping you narrow down the extensive list. …
Converting tens, hundreds, or even thousands of PDFs to DXF one by one is a laborious task. It is also equally inefficient, as you spend a lot of time and energy you would otherwise use on other less repetitive or more…
The world over, industries recognize the importance of standardization. Correspondingly, today, there are thousands of standards, authored and approved on an industry-wide basis or developed by individual organizations. The wave of standardization has not missed the computer-aided design (CAD) space. Here,…
It can be tempting to think that computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) are the same. However, they are not, and they should not be used interchangeably.. CAD and BIM are distinct philosophies that emerged at different times in…
Cloud-based computer-aided design (CAD) solutions are not news. For more than two decades, developers have introduced innovations that have revolutionized the sector. Previously, CAD software was primarily used on-premise. That meant that the applications had to be installed locally and ran…
The significance of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software in creating, verifying, and validating designs cannot be downplayed. Nevertheless, the utility of a tangible, solid model remains invaluable. In fact, tangible models help bridge the information gap by communicating…
The manufacturing industry is pursuing miniaturization, driven by the demand for high-accuracy miniaturized products that comprise tiny features or normal-sized products with tiny features. This demand is not sector-specific, as it is found in the automotive, biomedical, aerospace, electronics, and communication…
Manufacturers have continually evolved their practices seeking enhanced efficiency, speed, precision, quality, and cost reduction. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) has emerged thus, along with other useful technologies. CAM, in particular, is increasingly utilized in automating many manufacturing processes and operations as the…
Computer numerical control (CNC) machining is a manufacturing process. It relies on code to control the movement of tools, such as lathes, router bits, and milling bits, found in CNC machines, to produce parts with certain designed features. However, you have…
DWG, or the drawing file format, is a proprietary format native to the AutoCAD software. It is a primarily binary format that not only stores but describes the content of 2D designs and 3D models as well as their associated metadata….
In the software development world, there exists a notion that applications can always be improved, especially if this role is shared among multiple parties. This principle underlies the ‘open source’ concept, which has seen the rollout of numerous applications. Open source…
AutoCAD simplifies workflows for professionals across various careers by enabling them to batch plot drawings. Batch plotting refers to the process of simultaneously printing or converting to multiple drawings or sheets of a drawing project to PDF in a single operation….
Product development, the process of taking a product from the idea or concept stage through market release, involves collaboration among teams. While a collaborative approach does govern virtually all steps of the process, it is perhaps more clearly seen during the…
