Future developments of CAD???? 3

[leo1981]

What do you think is the next step in the development of CAD packages? or do you know of any new features lookin to be included in new editions or add ons to CAD packages?

 

[knobhead]

If you mean a fantasy wish list, I wish someone would hurry up and invent a quality holographic display system for 3D modelling, allowing you to reach 'in' and manipulate a model directly.

Back in the real world, I want a closer, quality standard of conversion between different model formats.

 

[3DDon]

Hey Knobhead,

To tkae your model formats idea a little farther, how about this idea.

I'd like to see an ANSI standardized MCAD file format. Basically, a common file format that every MCAD package could read and write, including all the features and history. This way, if your company changes MCAD platforms, there wouldn't be any legacy data to convert. If that's too drastic, this ANSI file format could be an enhanced neutral format, kinda like a STEP file. Each package could still have its own unique file format, but transfering files (with history) to another platform would be a no brainer. Nothing would get lost and users wouldn't have to run a feature recognition program.
Don Shoebridge
Sr. Product Developement Engineer

http://www.geocities.com/donshoebridge

 

[gillesD]

Hi there,

I love your holographic manipulation idea, kinda "Disclosure" (this not credible movie with M. Douglas refusing Demi Moore !). I think that a mouse and a screen are not ergonomic enough for 3D.

I think that the users will define their future needs.

I'm afraid of any standard that could kill the competition between the CAD companies.

 

[AJUK]

Interesting topic. One way I feel that CAD is moving at the moment, in the AEC market at least, is the 'total building model' where the 3D model is the building is created and all of the relevant information about the building is stored, from structure all the way through to heating costs and electrics etc.

This would enable the project team to access and design/update their section of work which is then easily accessible by the other team members. As a simple example, if a pipe is moved by the HVAC Engineer automatic clash detection with a beam would be flagged up and the Structural Engineer would respond. The contractor is able to access all of the bills of quantities, and in the final building, facilities managers are able to obtain specifications of everything down to a the lightbulbs.

Neutral file formats are a must for these types of ideas to evolve and I'm all for it. The compotition between CAD systems would then be based around price, which can only be good for all of us! Some companies would fall by the wayside - hopefully Autodesk ;-) - but thats the cold reality of the commercial world. However, it may mean that only the best survive, theory of evolution and all that.

 

[DaveVikingPE]

You want to know what I'd like? With every CAD package, there should be an accompanying hard copy library of GOOD manuals, with A LOT of examples RELEVANT to what's real. Non-confusing manuals and GOOD tutorials would be nice.

 

[Volk]

Hi all,
The future of CAD program is in using of informative 3D element blocks, which include information and means for professional decisions.
Volk

 

[knobhead]

Ah, you mean Lego.

 

[zuardy]

Hi all,
I think , what Volk supposed would happen in near future, so there will be no more CAD or CAE or CAE. All will merge to CAx, in other word, it would be only one engineering package for all engineering tasks, thinking to the newly CAD-Packages !
And then..later...the CAx packages would be married with virtual reality, so the engineers can test their design virtually ;-)

cheers

 

[jstanczyk]

Every new software release needs to include a list of the jobs that it has just obsoleted by making the program easier, quicker, more intelligent, etc, etc!!! And then a fistful of resumes to hand out to the employees.

(cold & breezy with some rain)

Thank you West Coast, look out East Coast because Chicago is ____________
today!!

 

[Adrian2]

Dear Folks;

I'd like to see materials represented like the way they work in the real world. Springs that bounce up and down, shafts that spin and deflect under load, sparks that fly off when you make something interfere, chunks of metal flying everywhere, mass hysteria, women and children - the end of the world as we know it.

And then a little dialog box that pops up on a black screen of death that says "Game Over - System FUBAR error"

Have a nice weekend all !

Adrian

 

[karlsch]

<I'd like to see an ANSI standardized MCAD file format. Basically, a common file format that every MCAD package could read and write, including all the features and history. >

EDS-PLM (UG, and iDeas), Autodesk and PTC announced at back in Feb that they were cross licensing their 3D modeling
engines, so this is closer than you think.

Realistically, I see 3 directions in CAD
1) Broad collaboration - along the 'total building' that
AJUK mentioned. PTC's Windchill, Bentley's recent
Microstation and EDS-PLMs eViz are the first steps in
this direction
2) More and more automated wizards. You are starting to
see this in the AEC space, where wizards help with
HVAC routing and such. Soon you will see software
packages doing this automatically the way they currently
automate walls and such
3) A convergence of 3D 'content creation'. Companies like
Autodesk already own other 3D 'content creators' like
Discreet (they did the FX for Terminator 2), you are
going to see this trend accellerate.

With the advent of 3D printers, we aren't that far from
having 'virtual sculpture' of a component that is cheaply
rendered right there in the office.

 

[MadMango]

A very interesting &quot;white-paper&quot; from NASA on the aspects of neutral CAD files and extracting geometry from various platforms.

http://gltrs.grc.nasa.gov/reports/2002/TM-2002-211358.pdf

&quot;Happy the Hare at morning for she is ignorant to the Hunter's waking thoughts.&quot;

 

[stressriser]

I would settle for an inexpensive networked viewer for ProE. It seems everything usable is overpriced, it is impossible to economically go to electronic file storage.

 

[oldluddite]

Design Automation is the next step in CAD, but in my experience a lot of engineers don't want to know. (turkeys dont look forward to Xmas or Thanksgiving!). You can see examples of embyonic design automation at

http://www.modularcad.co.uk

 

[MadMango]

I think automated design is fine for some applications, but will never be used in the majority. If you have something to design which is &quot;basic&quot;, it will work. Look at the examples from the above posted website. It looks mostly like shelving, cabinets and storage. I don't think you'll see cars, medical devices or other gadgits being desinged this way. &quot;The attempt and not the deed confounds us.&quot;

 

[Amaitik]

Hi
I would like to see the new generation of CAD systems supporting 'Feature-based Design'. But the features should be based on ISO STEP AP224 standard and exporting the product data to a neutral data file containes not only geometrical and toplogical data, but also features data, material data, tolerances data and so on.

 

[fkd]

<Design Automation is the next step in CAD, but in my experience a lot of engineers don't want to know>

If one's can provide us with failproof power tools for sure they will be wellcome....... but before the design phase you must model and after you may wish to optmize and for those easy tasks I guess that I will be a grandpa still waiting for the A.I. development.

Peace and luck,

Fred