Hi there
 
This is my first post and have a look but cannot seem to find what I need.
 
We have new member of staff who is relaying to management how much better 3D CAD design over the AutoCAD we use now.  Only problem, for me since I have been tasked with this venture, is that he cannot show a demo compared to our normal CAD work and I have basic knowledge.  I am having a couple of the drafting people look and compare but would love some external info from those who can tell me the difference and benifits.
 
Thanks in advance for any help.
 
MJ

Hi,
I would have to say that if anybody expects me to go back to 2D now, I'll probably quit and look for other work.  Sure there are circumstances where 2D just works and 3D is just too much, but they are rare.
 
I work in the mining and process engineering field as a piping designer / modeller, and doing complicated plant layouts in 2D is just a waste of time.  Just having runs of piping through a plant and being able to check for interference already pays for the extra cost in going 3D.
 
Now you also have to understand that Autocad can also do 3D, but there is a difference between it and for instance 3D done in a package like Inventor (also and Autodesk cad package).  The difference comes in on the parametric part if Inventor - which is commonly called the intelligence.
 
If I were you I would contact the Autodesk reseller in your area and ask for a demonstration.
 
Cheers
Kobus

Our office is in the process to buy the new 2010 version of Cad. Is it true you need to have 3d knowledge to use it? Is this applying just to the full version or to the LT version as well?
Thanks,
 
Paola

2010 is the same as any other version of Autocad. It does have enhanced 3D functionality, but the 2D part of the program is the same as it's ever been. So to answer your question, no, you don't need 3D knowledge in order to use 2010. Unless, of course, you want to use the 3D portion of the program. Then yes, you will need 3D knowledge.And FYI, Autocad LT has no 3D functionality, other than viewing models that were created in the full version. Other than that, it is strictly a 2D program.

The transition from 2D to 3D is a whole mindset change.  Instead of drawing 3 or 4 + views each on its own, with seperate etail and sectional/elevations, you now do one 3D model, and create your required views from that in paperspace.  3D illustrates the whole model and paperspace concept brilliantly. 
 
When you update your model, your views (depending on how it was created) will update as well.  The gains with 3D really comes when you have to start making changes to the design.  The ultimate for me is the absolute accurace you can produce drawings to....in piping we are happy with accuracies of 5mm, but in the mechanical sector you can work to multiple decimals.
 
However as I said its a mindset thing.  Before you change, do the training, its an investment you wont regret.  Books and selfhelp only go that far.  Training is based on years of condencing the best way to do modelling and creation of drawings from that, old guys contributing through forums like this one and talking to each other...
 
Cheers
 
Kob