Solid modeling: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:08, 28 September 2024

Revision as of 18:48, 13 December 2024

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{{Main|Computer-aided design}}

{{More citations needed section|date=January 2012}}

The modeling of solids is only the minimum requirement of a [[Computer-aided design#Capabilities|CAD system's capabilities]]. Solid modelers have become commonplace in engineering departments in the last ten years{{When|date=December 2011}} due to faster computers and competitive software pricing. Solid modeling software creates a virtual 3D representation of components for machine design and analysis.<ref name="LaCourse Handbook">{{cite book|last=LaCourse|first=Donald|title=Handbook of Solid Modeling|publisher=McGraw Hill|year=1995|pages=2.5|chapter=2|isbn=978-0-07-035788-4}}</ref> A typical [[GUI|graphical user interface]] includes programmable macros, keyboard shortcuts and dynamic model manipulation. The ability to dynamically re-orient the model, in real-time shaded 3-D, is emphasized and helps the designer maintain a mental 3-D image.

A solid part model generally consists of a group of features, added one at a time, until the model is complete. Engineering solid models are built mostly with sketcher-based features; 2-D sketches that are swept along a path to become 3-D. These may be cuts, or extrusions for example. Design work on components is usually done within the context of the whole product using [[assembly modelling|assembly modeling]] methods. An assembly model incorporates references to individual part models that comprise the product.<ref name="LaCourse Handbook 11.3">{{cite book|last=LaCourse|first=Donald|title=Handbook of Solid Modeling|publisher=McGraw Hill|year=1995|pages=111.2|chapter=11|isbn=978-0-07-035788-4}}</ref>