Many 2D-CAD users in mechanical design would like to transition to full 3D-CAD but are concerned about over-complexity and affordability.

Well, ZW3D LITE is built especially for you!  Specifically, it:

• Has all the 3D functionality that you need (ZW3D feature chart)
• Is easy to use for 2D users
• Provides a strong growth curve to high-end 3D if needed
• Is eminently affordable ($1300 list)

In fact, I was reading another blog about how there are many users of 2D software that are contemplating the switch to 3D CAD solid modeling so I thought I should show how ZW3D handles this task.  

Specifically, I put together a 3-minute video where I import a 2D drawing into 3D space then create the 3D model and verify with an assembly -- we conclude with a design for a computer mouse with its circuit board.

One of the neat features that I show in ZW3D is the "move" command. Every time I show people simple moving with vectors they allows say "Wow, that was easy!"  When moving the 3 views together you want to stand up the group in that view, so what was pointing in the Y+ you really want pointing in Z+ --  it's easy to do with vectors.

The other feature I use when modeling is "insert component" so in the example I wanted to see if the 3D shape I was making would allow the circuit board assembly to be inserted and fit correctly. 

If you are considering moving from 2D to 3D, check out the below video and let us know if we can help -- email me here for a hands-on demo.

Randy Biebel
LinkedIN 
ZW3D Product Page

I enjoy saving time with ZW3D's unified modeling approach to creating parts.

It's fun designing new parts without the worries of which tool do I choose to get the job done. With ZW3D's "Overdrive Kernel" and its best-in-class CAD tools I know I can get the job done quickly and accurately. 

While the list of related features is far too long to review here, I thought I'd share my favorite aspects in this design of a car side-mirror:
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• First of all, ZW3D has a powerful set of both surface and solid commands.  But what's even more powerful is that the solid tools can operate directly on surfaces and vice versa -- this makes for new possibilities in shapes and productivity.

"Before it became widely recognized that holding designs in your hand attracted people to 3D printing like a moth to a flame, a lot of engineers were unaware of its benefits. While you can’t hold running code, today’s Pick of the Week gives you the pleasant surprise of showing what a full-featured CAD/CAM system can do for you."

Read full article.

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Here are some top features and commands that I've featured in a recent video:

• On importing, you have the options of "Autosew", "Break Trim Edges", and "Delete Duplicate Surfaces" -- a great start to healing and prepping the model.
• Also useful tool is the "Move" command which lets you orient the model by vectors to make it as handy as possible to heal.
• Then you have the centerpiece "Show Open Edges" command which highlights and guides you through all unresolved problems step-by-step -- it's an amazing confidence builder and time saver. 
• I often use "Concatenate Edges" to join surface edges by an angle deviation and automatically correct many problems.
• Then you have a powerful freeform editing toolset, highlighted by "Trim to All Curves" -- because you don't need to manually pick each curve, this tool alone saves hours.  Also remember, because Overdrive is a unified modeler, you can trim edges to either surfaces or shapes.

But the best news is that all this healing is simple and fast -- what used to takes hours now takes minutes.

​​Feel free to have a deeper look at the video below.

-- Randy Biebel, Manufacturing Advisor, ZWDirect

Given the upcoming change in the CAD market, we've been experiencing a surge in new membership -- so I thought I'd post an invitation here.

If you are a provider, feel free to post all new product and vendor materials in the promotions area and please do provide industry perspectives/counsel in discussions -- users and buyers certainly want to learn from you.

If you are a user or buyer, feel free to post your experiences, questions, or needs in the discussions area -- all others certainly want to help and learn from you. My overall perspective on this market is that you should and can be very demanding -- there are several very capable alternative/affordable CAD solutions in the market today.

My own recommendations for top criteria in seeking an affordable solution are: 1. Must provide 100% of the functionality that you need (and perhaps more), 2. Must scale to meet your design complexity/size requirements, 3. Must provide complete compatibility with AutoCAD/DWG, 4. Has made hundreds/thousands of customers like you successful, and 5. Is an organization that you trust for ongoing innovation and support for the future.

Again, I believe many strong solutions/vendors exists today and this group is committed to helping you find that match. We look forward to your thoughts!

You can join here.