What You Need to Know About CAD, Part One

If you’re interested in designing a product, odds are you have heard of CAD. In theory, CAD, or computer-assisted design, seems straightforward: download a computer software program, watch a few YouTube videos, and you can create just about anything.

But the reality is, CAD modeling ranges from the really simple (a headphone stand) to the extravagantly complex (creating a custom car body panel). So whether you’re an aerospace executive with a team of engineers at your disposal or a one-person army with a dream, there are a few questions you should be asking yourself about your project before you jump into CAD design:

1.What exactly are you trying to do? CAD designs can be used for digital art, video games, a 3D printer or laser cutter, carbon fiber canoes, or custom car parts. Or maybe you’re considering starting your own design studio (we get it).

2.Who are you making this for? In other words, who is your audience? Are you trying to make this for your new 3D printer? Or an engineering team? Maybe you plan on bringing it to the shop floor or sending it straight to manufacturing. Or maybe you just want to make something pretty for your Instagram followers. No judgment. 

3.What's your budget? Be honest about what you’re working with. Some CAD software is free to use and may suit your needs, but if you’re hoping to open your own design studio, you’ll need to invest a lot of money -- upwards of 20,000 dollars -- into technology and software. 

4.What's your industry? Auto? Aviation? Marine? Video game design? Visual effects? Many of these industries have their own favorite CAD software, or software that best suits their needs.

Now that you’ve done the appropriate amount of soul-searching, you can identify which category of CAD software will best suit your needs. Here are the basics:

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Block Modeling

Also called Solid Modeling

Block modeling is analogous to building with legos. It is the most common form of CAD design. You can easily transfer a block-modeled CAD design to a 3D printer, laser cutter, or engineering team. Examples of software include Solidworks, Fusion 360, and Inventor. Block modeling is:

1. Very, very precise

2. Simple to understand

3. Not very expressive

4. You can’t get organic or complex shapes unless you’re extremely clever

Mesh

Modeling

Polygonal modeling programs

With mesh modeling, you’re moving your subject around like a sculptor working with clay. Compared to block modeling, this approach is very engaging but fairly imprecise. That’s okay because the goal of mesh modeling is fundamentally different from block modeling. 

The goals of the two techniques are very different: block modeling is primarily concerned with precision, and mesh modeling with aesthetics. That’s why all your favorite movies and video games are made using this technique. Examples of mesh modeling software include Autodesk Maya, Cinema 4D, or Blender This approach is:

1. Easy to understand

2. Easily workable in a 3d printer

3. Sometimes workable in CNC or Laser cutter, but not without revisions in a block software

4. Usually (maybe always) imprecise

5. Great for marketing purposes

NURBS Modeling

Alias, ICEM, Rhino

NURBS modeling is all theoretical. Think of it like paper maché: it is a delicate process that serves Class A surface-level, aesthetic function, but will not bear any weight. If you’re just starting your CAD journey, this is not the software for you. Pick a smaller boss to fight.

NURBS requires a high level of specialization and experience, and is used primarily to do what’s called “Class A surfacing,” or creating the parts of a product that consumers will see and touch. Examples of software include Autodesk Alias, ICEM, and Rhino (if you’re in the marine industry). NURBS modeling is ;

1. Used for the highest quality surfaces

2. Extremely complex and requires a rare skillset

3. An extremely expensive tool

4. Theoretically impossible, and must be knit or thickened into an actual usable part

5. Our core competency at DEQ

Want to get started on your new product using CAD design?

DEQ can help bring your product to life. Contact us to learn more about our CAD design specialities.