Archive for the ‘Drawing Conversion’ Category

2D to 3D Drawing Conversion with SolidWorks


Computer-aided design (CAD) makes it possible to convert old drawings6 (which are composed of simple vector entities such as lines, polylines, arcs, and circles5) to high-quality and detailed 3D models. This is a task that is carried out by companies that provide 2D to 3D drawing conversion services.6

An effective conversion from 2D objects to 3D models involves the following steps:1

  1. Establishing the base geometry.
  2. Before data are imported to the 2D to 3D conversion module, they are first filtered. These data include dimensions, line type parameters, and layers.

  3. Identification of projected geometry
  4. Alignment of various geometric views (done using a basic translation technique)
  5. Extrude (Boolean operation)
  6. Extruding prevents the occurrence of errors and prepares a model for being used.

SolidWorks is an example of an application that is helpful in having successful projects. An article in PRLog provides the following advantages of SolidWorks:2

  • Easy sharing of project data across different stakeholders
  • Effective collaboration with AutoCAD platform
  • Safe transition from 2D CAD to SolidWorks 3D
  • Excellent promotion tool for your designs
  • Easy clash detection and fewer errors
  • Significant savings in design life cycle time

SolidWorks supports various file formats such as DGN, DWG, DXF, TIFF and JPG.2

Before, in the earlier days of mechanical engineering, drawings were referred to as “blueprints.” These blueprints were made using a chemical-printing process that produces drawings on blue-colored papers or blue lines on white papers. Mechanical engineering has now progressed and has been using better ways of developing and viewing designs. With the advent of new technologies, it has become easier to produce complex 2D drawings and convert them to 3D models.3 What certainly attracts the attention and curiosity of people are beautifully made 3D models. The more attention they give, the more your sales boost.4,6



1“Conversion of 2D Drawings to 3D BIM Models.” Pinnacle. 29 Jul 2010. 13 Dec 2010 <http://www.pinnaclecad.com/bim-conversion-of-2d-drawings-to-3d-models.html>.
2Kaith, Jeffrin. “Solidworks 2D Drawings, Solidworks 3D Model Conversion Services.” PRLog. 11 Mar 2010. 13 Dec 2010 <http://www.prlog.org/10570296-solidworks-2d-drawings-solidworks-3d-model-conversion-services.html>.
3“2D and 3D Drafting Services.” Solid Masters. 27 July 2010. 13 Dec 2010 <http://mechanicaldraftingservices.com/>.
4“2D to 3d Conversion.” R2V. 29 Oct 2010. 13 Dec 2010 <http://rastertovector.biz/2d-3dconversion.html>.
5“Convert Your 2D Floor Plan Drawings into a 3D ArchiCAD Model from DXF and DWG Files.” Free PDF Manual Guide. 29 Apr 2009. 13 Dec 2010 <http://www.pdfmanual.net/convert-your-2d-floor-plan-drawings-into-a-3d-archicad-model-from-dxf-and-dwg-files.html>.
6“CAD Conversion (2D Drawings to 3D Models).” Silicon Valley. 24 May 2010. 13 Dec 2010 <http://www.siliconinfo.com/cad-outsourcing-services/paper-to-cad-conversion-services.html>.


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2D to 3D Drawing Conversion

2D to 3D drawing conversion is quite complicated, quite difficult, and quite challenging, but by using 3D modeling tools, such as AutoCAD, Solid Edge, and MicroStation, conversion is simplified and productivity of design and manufacturing engineers is improved. Engineers align views on orthogonal planes and use extrude feature to convert. 3D modeling tools was first introduced two decades ago, but even until now, many still resort to 2D drafting.1,4

Some software packages for 3D modeling are CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER, I-DEAS, AMD, and SolidWorks.2 They are capable of doing the following:3

  • Recognizing an exterior skin of a modeled part
  • Knowing the density of material that a modeled part represents
  • Calculating volume, surface area, and part weight of a modeled part
  • Calculating the center of gravity and moments of inertia

Advantages of 2D to 3D Drawing Conversion

Richard Botham enumerated in ArticlesBase website some benefits of 3D models. They are as follows:1

  • Generation of virtual prototypes
  • Faster product design
  • Automation of design process
  • Increased speed and accuracy of output
  • Increased response to customers
  • Reduced need and cost of physical prototypes
  • Visualization of more “what-if” scenarios during design process
  • Testing and validating designs to reduce costs from quality problems and errors
  • More effective internal design reviews
  • Ability to create renderings and animations for design proposals or reviews
  • Ease in incorporating late design changes
  • Automatic bill of materials
  • Increased customer confidence and loyalty
  • Data management to organize and manage your design data
  • More effective communication with suppliers/customers
  • Standard detailing and drafting practices

Sunith in the website of CAD Professor provides the following additional benefits:4

  • Automatic flattening of sheet metal flats
  • Better employee morale
  • Ease in manufacturing designs with industry-leading partner products
  • For non-technical personnel such as sales department to quote, specify and configure product whilst maintaining your design and engineering integrity

Cadmodels.Biz provided some ways on how to give volume to 2D sections once a 2D drawing was imported:3

  • Extruding a section to a fixed dimension
  • Revolving a section around an axis
  • Sweeping a section along a trajectory
  • Sweeping and blending multiple sections along multiple trajectories

Visualization features allow developers to view solid objects and its subparts as if they were cut on a saw.3 By migrating from 2D CAD to 3D modeling, an improved flow of product design information and communication results to reduced design cycles, streamlined manufacturing processes, and accelerated product introductions all throughout an organization and among its suppliers and customers. These in turn result to faster time-to-market and higher product quality, which further result to increased revenue, reduced design costs, and larger profit margins.1 The existence of mass property data and knowing the respective position of all mass within an assembly allows clearance and interference checking. Developers often use software conferencing tools, such as gotomeeting.com and Skype, for effective remote meetings.3

However, tight budgets cause developers to resort to hand drawings or free or inexpensive 2D CAD programs. Failure to get qualified professional services can be a cause to a ruin in a project plan and a loss of market opportunities for developers. Bargain hunting for CAD services can result to business disasters. Business opportunities are like airplanes because they do not wait for you when you are late.3


Product Development

2D to 3D CAD conversion is used by designers to produce 3D models. These 3D models can in turn be used by steel fabricators, machine operators, or architects.1 Design ideas, concepts, patents, or core technologies may start from start-up ventures, investors, and small companies, like when people are conversing over coffee and sketching on table napkins. Later, they present whatever idea or plan that they came up with to professional CAD designers who will create prototypes. Once product design databases are completed, and prototypes are validated and approved,3 the prototypes are given to engineers who will manufacture those prototypes using computed numerically controlled (CNC) machines.4


2D CAD versus 3D CAD

Failure to employ properly trained and experienced professionals may result to a lot of error corrections and rework, cost overruns, and schedule delays, while a job well done results to quality parts that are delivered on time at the right place. 2D programs are used for building breadboard level testable units, while 3D CAD services are used for developing world class complex geometries.3 Even for ordinary non-engineering folks, they easily identify a building not based on its plan, elevation, and sectional drawings but based on a picture or a 3D model of it,4 and we tend to remember more 3D advertisements than 2D ones.5 These are just illustrations that, in order to understand 2D drawings, we must study them. On the other hand, we do not need engineering backgrounds to imagine objects that 3D models represent. 2D drawings may attract attention of engineers, but 3D models impress generally all people from diverse backgrounds. 2D technical drawings may not be good enough in starting a new product concept because they might not function as planned, while 3D models readily show the viability of a design idea. Compared to hand drawings, 2D CAD shortens time scales, but 3D CAD directly supports the entire product development cycle, speeds up every activity, and increases the quality of design.4



1Richard Botham. “Benefits of 2D Drawings to 3D CAD Model Conversion Technology.” Online posting. 20 Feb 2010. ArticlesBase. 21 July 2010 <http://www.articlesbase.com/industrial-articles/benefits-of-2d-drawings-to-3d-cad-model-conversion-technology-1882460.html>.
2Ankita Shah. “Benefits of CAD Services.” Online posting. 3 Jan 2010. Architectural [3D Rendering]. 21 July 2010 <http://www.microbos.com/articles/benefits-of-cad-services.html>.
3“2D to 3D CAD Avails State of the Art Fabrication Processes.” Cadmodels.Biz. 4 May 2008. 21 July 2010 <http://cadrawings.info/>.
4Sunith. “Transforming a 2D Drawing to 3D CAD Data.” Online posting. 20 June 2009. CAD Professor. 22 July 2010 <http://www.cadprofessor.in/2009/06/transforming-a-2d-drawing-to-3d-cad-data/>.
5“CAD Design.” Design Presentation. 28 June 2010. 22 July 2010 <http://designpresentation.com/cad_design.htm>.


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3D Modeling, Drafting, Product Design, Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks

Definition of Terms

3D Modeling, Drafting, Product Design, Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks

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2D drawing
- An indirect and incomplete representation of an engineering product or system, subject to interpretation and error1

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3D
- A real object or true depiction of real image1
3D computer graphics
- Graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data… that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images3
3D computer graphics software
- Programs used to create 3D computer-generated imagery9
3D model
- The product of 3D modeling2
- An object that is constructed on three planes27
3D modeling
- The process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of object… via specialized software2
- The construction, manipulation, and storage of geometric objects to represent objects… around us or virtual objects17
3D printing
- A form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by successive layers of material6
3D rendering
- The 3D computer graphics process of automatically converting 3D wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects on a computer5
3D wireframe
- Extension of 2D drafting12

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Assembly modeling
- Technology and methods used by Computer-aided design and Product visualization computer software systems to handle multiple files that represent components within a product15

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

Computer-aided design (CAD)
- The use of computer technology for the design of objects, real or virtual12
- A combination of both hardware & software that helps architects, engineers and related professionals in the real estate & manufacturing industry worldwide18
- An important industrial art extensively used in many applications, including automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries, industrial and architectural design, prosthetics, and many more12
- A major driving force for research in computational geometry, computer graphics (both hardware and software), and discrete differential geometry12
- Especially important technology within the scope of computer-aided technologies, with benefits such as lower product development costs and a greatly shortened design cycle12
- One of the many tools used by engineers and designers and is used in many ways depending on the profession of the user and the type of software in question12
- One part of the whole Digital Product Development (DPD) activity within the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) process12
Computer-aided geometric design (CAGD)
- The design of geometric models for object shapes, in particular12
Computer animation or CGI animation
- The art of creating moving images with the use of computers10
- An artful blend of creative vision and technology31

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

Design intent
- How the creator of the part wants it to respond to changes and updates4
DWGgateway
- A free data translation tool that enables any AutoCAD software user to open and edit any DWG file, regardless of the version of AutoCAD it was made in4

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

eDrawings Professional
- An e-mail-enabled communication tool for reviewing 2D and 3D product design data across the extended product development team4
Electronic design automation (EDA or ECAD)
- A category of software tools for designing electronic systems such as printed circuit boards and integrated circuits26

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

Features
- Building blocks of the part4
- The shapes and operations that construct the part4
FeatureWorks
- Feature recognition software that lets designers make changes to static geometric data, increasing the value of translated files4
Flexibility
- The ability to change angles or animate images with quicker rendering of the changes2

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

Group
- A starting point for discussions and collaborations28

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

Innovation
- A vital ingredient of business success29
Interoperability
- The key issue which integrates various CAD CAM CAE tools1

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

Kinetic design
- Aesthetic design of physical movement32

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

Level sets
- A useful representation for deforming surfaces which undergo many topological changes2
Lighting
- An important aspect of scene setup2

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

MACRO (merge and correlate recorded output)
- Anything more than a single command19
- Rule or pattern that specifies how a certain input sequence should be mapped to an output sequence according to a defined procedure20
Macro program
- Computer programs that capture the user’s actions as if it is recording the user21
MoldflowXpress
- A mold design validation tool that was built into a solid modeling environment4

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

Parameters
- Constraints whose values determine the shape or geometry of the model or assembly4
Polygonal modeling
- An approach for modeling objects by representing or approximating their surfaces using polygons8
Print3D
- A 3D printing feature that allows users to convert their 3D CAD model to a .STL file and then have it sent to specialty manufacturers for quote4
Procedural modeling
- An umbrella term for a number of techniques in computer graphics to create 3D models and textures from sets of rules7
Product design
- The efficient and effective generation and development of ideas through a process that leads to new products30
Pro/ENGINEER
- A parametric, integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE solution created by Parametric Technology Corporation13
- The first to market with parametric, feature-based, associative solid modeling software13
- An integral part of a broader product development system developed by PTC13
- A piece of software that falls within the category of CAD/CAM/CAE and site alongside other similar products currently on the market13
- A feature based modeling architecture incorporated into a single database philosophy with advanced rule based design capabilities13

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

Skeletal animation
- A technique in computer animation, particularly in the animation of vertebrates, in which a character is represented in two parts: a surface representation used to draw the character… and a hierarchical set of bones used for animation only11
Solid modeling
- A consistent set of principles for mathematical and computer modeling of three dimensional solids14
SolidWorks
- A 3D mechanical CAD… program that runs on Microsoft Windows and was developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks… a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes4
- A competitor to CAD programs such as Pro/ENGINEER, I-DEAS, Unigraphics, and CATIA4
- A parasolid-based solid modeler4
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
- A tool that tests fluid-flow simulation and thermal analysis so designers can conduct tests on virtual prototypes4
SolidWorks MoldBase
- A catalog of standard mold base assemblies and components4
SolidWorks Motion
- A virtual prototyping tool that provides motion simulation capabilities to ensure designs function properly4
SolidWorks Simulation
- A design validation tool that shows engineers how their designs will behave as physical objects4
SolidWorks Simulation Premium
- A design validation tool that caters to designers without engineering background4
SolidWorks Sustainability
- A product that measures the environmental impact of designs while they are modeled in SolidWorks4
SolidWorks Toolbox
- A library of parts that uses “Smart Part” Technology to automatically select fasteners and assemble them in the desired sequence4
SolidWorks Utilities
- Software that lets designers find differences between two versions of the same part, or locate, modify, and suppress features within a model4
SolidWorks Viewer
- A free plug-in for viewing SolidWorks parts, assemblies, and drawings4
SolidWorks Workgroup PDM
- A PDM tool that allows SolidWorks users operating in teams of 10 members or less to work on designs concurrently4
Sub-forum
- A great place to share your experiences and do your Q&A with other users28

[2, 3, A, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, P, S, T]

Technical drawing or Drafting
- The academic discipline of creating standardized technical drawings by architects, interior designers, drafters, design engineers, and related professionals16
- Integral communication of technical or engineering drawings and is the industrial arts sub-discipline that underlies all involved technical endeavors16
- Means of clearly and concisely communicating all of the information necessary to transform an idea or a concept into reality22
- Drawing plan, rendered to scale, used to communicate direction and specifics to a group of people creating something23
- Formal and precise way of communicating information about the shape, size, features and precision of physical objects24
- Universal language of engineering used in the design process for solving problems, quickly and accurately visualizing objects, and conducting analysis24
- A graphical representation of objects and structures24
- Expression of bodies by lines24
- Skill, a vocation25
Tessellation
- The process of transforming representations of objects, such as transforming the middle point coordinate of a sphere and a point on its circumference into a polygon representation of a sphere2
- A significant contributing factor to the resulting aesthetic and visual quality of the finished work2


References:
1Sunith. “Transforming a 2D Drawing to 3D CAD Data.” Online posting. 10 June 2009. CAD Professor. 19 July 2010 <http://www.cadprofessor.in/2009/06/transforming-a-2d-drawing-to-3d-cad-data/>.
2“3D modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_modeling>.
3“3D computer graphics.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_computer_graphics>.
4“SolidWorks.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SolidWorks>.
5“3D rendering.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_rendering>.
6“3D printing.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_Printing>.
7“Procedural modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_modeling>.
8“Polygonal modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonal_modeling>.
9“3D computer graphics software.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_modeler>.
10“Computer animation.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_animation>.
11“Skeletal animation.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_animation>.
12“Computer-aided design.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAD>.
13“Pro/ENGINEER.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro/ENGINEER>.
14“Solid modeling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_modeling>.
15“Assembly modelling.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_modelling>.
16“Technical drawing.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 19 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_drawing>.
17Dillip Kumar Barik. “Mechanical Cad Design and 3D Modeling Services.” Online posting. 22 Mar 2010. ArticlesBase. 20 July 2010 <http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/mechanical-cad-design-and-3d-modeling-services-2026899.html>.
18cadserviceireland. “Affordable CAD Services and CAD 3D Modeling Services.” Online posting. 1 Mar 2009. A1Articles. 20 July 2010 <http://www.a1articles.com/article_801232_15.html>.
19Ralph Grabowski. “TIPS: Macros.” Online posting. 5 Feb 2004. WorldCAD Access. 26 July 2010 <http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com/blog/2004/02/tips_macros.html>.
20Srivastava, Rahul. Customization of CAD Modeling Software using Parametric Macros for Design of Machinable Artistic Surface Patterns. Patiala: Thapar University, 2009. 27 July 2010 <http://dspace.thapar.edu:8080/dspace/bitstream/10266/1033/1/RAHUL+SRIVASTAVA+80781021-+2009.pdf>.
21Schoonmaker, Stephen J. The CAD Guidebook: A Basic Manual for Understanding and Improving Computer-Aided Design. New York: Marcel Dekker, 2003.
22Goetsch, David L., et al. Technical Drawing. 5th ed. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning, c2005.
23“Definition of Technical Drawing.” YourDictionary. 20 July 2010. 3 Aug 2010. <http://www.yourdictionary.com/dictionary-articles/Definition-of-Technical-Drawing.html>.
24G. Gülsev Uyar Aldas. “JFM210 Technical Drawing and Computer Application Lecture Notes (First Part).” Scribd. 26 Nov 2008. 3 Aug 2010 <http://www.scribd.com/doc/8455804/Technical-Drawing>.
25Lee, Xah. “What Is Technical Drawing, Descriptive Geometry, Projective Geometry, Linear Algebra.” XahLee.org. 2 Aug 2010. 3 Aug 2010 <http://xahlee.org/3d/tech_drawing.html>.
26“Electronic design automation.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 26 July 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_design_automation>.
27Kay. “25 (Free) 3D Modeling Applications You Should Not Miss.” Online posting. 14 Aug 2010. Hongkiat.com. 16 Aug 2010 <http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/25-free-3d-modelling-applications-you-should-not-miss/>.
28Saikat Basu. “Easily Learn 3D Modeling with 3DVIA Shape.” Online posting. 15 June 2010. MakeUseOf. 23 Aug 2010 <http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3d-modeling-skills-easy-3dvia-shape/>.
29Baxter, Mike. Product Design: Practical Methods for the Systematic Development of New Products. Cheltenham, UK: Nelson Thornes, 2002.
30“Product design.” Wikipedia. 2010. Wikimedia Foundation. 6 Aug 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_design>.
31“Become a Professional in Animation.” Design Training. 30 Nov 2010. 20 Dec 2010 <http://www.design-training.com/computer-animation/>.
32Hopson, Ben. “Kinetic Design and the Animation of Products.” Online posting. 1 Mar 2009. Core77. 20 Dec 2010 <http://www.core77.com/blog/featured_items/kinetic_design_and_the_animation_of_products_by_ben_hopson_12642.asp>.


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Advantages of 2D to 3D Drawing Conversion


As a result of drastic changes in Computer Aided Design, 3D models are the preferred option for easy visualization. Users of CAD software transform 2D CAD to 3D CAD solutions; they convert 2D CAD drawings to 3D CAD models. In 3D Computer Aided Design, customers prefer a quick and accurate conversion process, and there are a number of techniques to do conversion the way customers want.

Our brains are more adept at processing 3D images than 2D drawings because we can easily compare 3D models to 3D real objects that we already saw before. Engineers are exceptions because, unlike other people, they can easily understand 2D drawings such as sectional drawings of a building. 3D technology provides images that are closest to real objects, and this is the main advantage of 3D over 2D technology. 2D drafting tools are able to provide sufficient data about an object, but the 3D modeling technology is able to provide more. A 3D model can help engineers and designers to spot problems and make solutions for these problems before the actual building of the physical object. A 3D model can show engineers the “sum of the parts,” where all involved factors are visible to them. It is harder to spot problems in 2D drawings. Engineers might be starting new design concepts with 2D technical drawing and realize later that the designs are not functional. With 3D technology, companies have a business advantage.

Even after the introduction of 3D modeling tools in the market, 2D drafting is still widely in use. It will take some time for CAD users to adapt to new paradigms of 3D modeling, although some manufacturers are able to convert their legacy drawing excellently. 3D CAD tools today can generate 2D drafting views from 3D CAD models. Converting 2D drawings to native CAD models is more complicated. However, 3D CAD solution providers now offer 3D modeling tools that make the conversion easier. 2D to 3D technology conversion is about creating 3D part models from 2D CAD drawings.

2D to 3D conversion involves the use of the extrude feature of a CAD software. Other features that are necessary in transforming 2D geometry to 3D model include the use of Boolean operations. In making mechanical designs, companies are changing from 2D CAD to 3D solid modeling because they get benefits from shorter design cycles and better product design information when they work using 3D models.

Choosing the appropriate CAD tools requires users to consider a lot more than drawing productivity. Both 2D CAD and 3D CAD technologies provide drawing productivity. However, 3D solid modeling provides more by allowing users to view a very realistic image of an object, which is very useful in simulations. 3D solid geometric models contain both geometric and non-geometric information, and they are less prone to errors than 2D CAD drawings. 2D drawings are subject to misinterpretations. There is seamless transition of CAD data from 2D to 3D or from 3D CAD tools to CAE tools because of interoperability.

3D solid models have their base shapes as 2D shapes. 2D models have a value of zero for their third dimension. To create 3D models, the third dimension of 2D objects must have a value aside from zero. It is tedious to convert 2D files to 3D objects for companies that have a lot of product drawings. However, converting models becomes easier when designers arrange the 2D geometry into a “glass box.”

Reference:
Sunith. “Transforming a 2D Drawing to 3D CAD Data.” Online posting. 10 June 2009. CAD Professor. 19 July 2010 <http://www.cadprofessor.in/2009/06/transforming-a-2d-drawing-to-3d-cad-data/>.


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