Technical illustrations

[FreddyB]

Hi all,

I have searched the forums for any threads on the use of 3DVIA or alternatives but surprisingly haven't found anything. It might be my search method is wrong! However, if it's not, why isn't there any discussion? I'm particularly interested to see if anyone uses a cheaper alternative to SW 3DVIA. My needs are not that complex.

 

[drawoh]

FreddyB,

This might not be a good forum for your question.

If your mechanical designers are using SolidWorks, then you can use SolidWorks. You do not have to do any modeling to get your illustrations. If your mechanical designers are using some other 3D CAD package, then you should use that to do your illustrations.

If your designers are not on 3D CAD, then you have to build your 3D models yourself. I do not recommend parametric software like SolidWorks. SolidWorks is a design tool, not a drafting tool. You want something cheaper and more user friendly.

JHG

 

[FreddyB]

Hi Drawoh,

Thanks for your response. I asked the question within the SolidWorks Forum because I use SolidWorks. In fact have for the last ten years. I also referenced 3DVIA as it is part of the SolidWorks family.

I do and have used SolidWorks for producing tech pubs but it's simply not able to produce the same type of illustrations as 3DVIA - maybe that's why 3DVIA cost more than SolidWorks!

In particular, the better illustrations , like those in DIY car manuals etc, seem to emphasise certain outline edges etc in a special way that makes the illustrations clearer.

 

[rockguy]

You might look at

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1152105051461#tabview=tab0

Don't know if its cheaper but it has impressive tools and can read 3D CAD data.




Rob Rodriguez CSWP

http://www.axiscadsolutions.com

http://www.robrodriguez.com

http://www.robrodriguezblog.com

Eastern Region SWUGN Representative

http://www.swugn.org

http://www.nvtswug.com

SW 2007 SP 2.0

 

[FreddyB]

Thanks Rockguy,

I'm downloading the free trial right now. I'll see how it compares. At about £550 (best I can see on the web in a quick look) it is about one tenth the cost of 3DVIA Composer.

I am sure there are big differences - Composer is very capable, but I simply can't afford Composer!

 

[Theophilus]

Most of the ID guys I know use Adobe Illustrator. I've never bothered to use it, since it's a vector-based drawing program (no models, etc.)--but you might be able to export some vector-based line drawings from SolidWorks, and then use Illustrator to select certain lines as contour lines (much thicker) for better illustration purposes.

When I found out Illustrator couldn't even add a specified radius to corners (without purchasing an add-in) I immediately wondered what sort of illustrator this Illustrator was. Not very feature-rich, anyway.

One more thing--I've created drawing templates made expressly for patent drawings. These templates have different line weights than my normal templates--so tangent edges are quite thin and contour edges are quite thick. Also, if you save a view in your part or assembly file with applied perspective, you can use a perspective view in your 2D drawing. This goes a LONG way in making a more readable and convincing line drawing, particularly for patents.



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

A people governed by fear cannot value freedom.

 

[tristram]

you also might want to look at "Right Hemisphere Deep Exploration CAD Edition" at

http://www.righthemisphere.com

I thinks it's only $250 or so.

-Joe
SolidWorks 2009 x64 SP 5.1 on Windows XP x64
8 GB RAM - Nvidia Quadro FX1700

 

[FreddyB]

Hi tristram,

Thanks. I thought it sounded familiar. Right Hemisphere DE is an integrated add in to the Corel product.