Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Push & Pull of Direct Modeling

The CAD industry can be a tight, competitive industry. Yet, we are still seeing some serious innovative technology coming out of the various players. Every year there seems to be the "new thing". The buzz over the last 12-18 months has been history-based vs. direct modeling.

A good majority of mechanical engineers are familiar with history based solid modeling MCAD systems. Everyone knows the major players - SolidWorks, Inventor, Pro/Engineer, NX, Solid Edge, CATIA etc.. There are numerous advantages to a history based system. I won't bother pitching it as I think most will agree with some of the advantages.

But let's talk about some of the disadvantages. Probably the biggest disadvantage is when it comes to collaboration. This is a very broad category that involves collaborating with other CAD designers, the CAM guys, the CAE folks as well as other CAD systems. Many of the CAD systems can fail quickly if you attempt to break a parent/child relationship. In essence, if you are trying to edit a feature that depends on another, which may depend on yet another. If you are not exactly clear how this model was built or how it all ties together, it can be very frustrating to try and edit a simple feature. It is somewhat the nature of these systems, but a good majority of the issues come back to POOR cad modeling practices. One can easily argue that the system allows the poor practices, therefore, its the systems fault. I'm not sure we will all ever agree on this one.

So, what is the solution? Many, me included, think that Direct Modeling can be the answer. Almost every vendor out there has some form of direct modeling initiative. Siemens has probably been the most aggressive in marketing their Synchronous Technology. So, imagine that you can have a powerful CAD tool like NX or Solid Edge and you can simply then just grab, pull, and drag the geometry around. From a simulation guy's perspective, this is an amazing capability. So, let's say I have a valve assembly and I run a quick CFD simulation to measure pressure drop and attempt to identify the inefficient flow locations. I can then simply grab and shape the internal flow pattern and "morph-it" as if it were clay to "smooth" out the flow patterns? This quite bluntly will change the way engineers design if implemented properly.


Recently, Autodesk announced their version - Inventor Fusion. Their technology will be embedded inside Inventor (to be released soon). Autodesk may be at an advantage as they are still (others as well) converting companies from 2D to 3D. So, feasibly, you will have a sector of engineers that are not familiar with history based systems and will see the best of both worlds. Not only will they have parametric capabilities, but they will also have the power of interacting with their models in a unique way. But most importantly, this will seem natural to them as they won't know any different. It will be very interesting to see if this methodology takes off.


Gotta mention our friends at SpaceClaim. They may not have invented the push/pull concept, but they certainly are taking it and running with it. They are one of the easiest/coolest modelers out there, especially for those of us in the simulation world. Not only can I model the way I expect and want, but I can also bring in geometry from essentially anywhere and edit, delete, push/pull features at will. I have praised SpaceClaim many times here. But its only fair to say that these direct modelers have some really powerful grab and pull capabilities. BUT -- they must allow some for of parametrization, some sort of dimensioning, some way to tie my model together.

WHOA, sounds like I am suggesting the dreaded parametric, history-based modeling? Or am I suggesting some sort of hybrid modeler. Call it what you want, fight it out in your strategy meetings. But here is what I (the market) wants for simulation, at least..

I want a very powerful (capable of complex shapes), SUPER modern and fun to use, ability to edit other CAD systems, ability to create constraints/dimensions/parameters (ideally with the option to drive from a table/excel) that can create multiple "configurations" on the fly and have unique simulation tools (gap/interference detection/repair, small feature removal, part simplification (dumb down part by part).

Is that too much to ask? The CAD system/modeling system that can dial this in will have a leg up on everyone else.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Expanding the Family!

No, I haven't been kidnapped by aliens. I have been a bit consumed getting ready for the birth of our son. Welcome Finn Hogan Cooper. Big boy entered the world at 10lbs (4.54kg). Mom and baby are doing well.

Dad is in a bit of a fog as I am working the midnight shift while my wife gets back on her feet. Thank goodness for coffee.

Monday, January 05, 2009

On your mark, Get set....Go!

How is everyone feeling today? First real work day of 2009. Yeah, ok, some of us worked last week. But, in general, today was the day.


Affectionately referred to a
"heroes to zeros" day. In reference to those that had a good previous year. For those that didn't lick the wounds and move on. A wise old sales guy told me once, "its not what you've done, it's all about what you do."


This is the last attempt to be inspirational for awhile, I promise. I am looking forward to 2009 just starting. I'm looking forward to the end to planning, projecting, complaining, worrying and discussing. I am looking forward to just doing. I am a half descent planner, but I am a great do-er. That doesn't mean I always do it perfectly right. But I sure give it my all.

If tonight is any sign of the year to come, it will be a doozy, as I am wooped.

Not complaining, just wooped. Don't settle, Go get em'