Parametric Drawing Software

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FreeCAD is a free parametric software. It is an open-source 3D program, with an intuitive interface, it can really suit beginners. This feature-based software can also be used by professionals for architecture or mechanical engineering projects for example. We have a tutorial to prepare your 3D model for 3D printing with FreeCAD.

Posted By Eole Recrosio on May 10, 2017 |

By Leslie Langnau February 12, 2020 Parametric modeling is a computer aided design (CAD) software design tool that saves time—it eliminates the need for a design engineer to constantly redraw a design every time one of the design's dimensions change. This tool was developed by Rhino, a software program that evolved from AutoCAD. A CAD software allowing you to create a drawing of a triangle with Parameter information and then allow that drawing to be automatically changed by changing the parameters is a parametric software. Vanilla Autocad has parametric capabilities for 2D shapes since version 2010. Parametric drawing is a technology that is used for designing with constraints, which are associations and restrictions applied to 2D geometry. What is the best media converter software. There are two general types of constraints: Geometric constraints control the relationships of objects with respect to each other.

3D modeling is, along with 3D scanning, the most used method to obtain an STL for your 3D print. In industrial sectors, designers are using CAD design to prototype, iterate and obtain manufacturable parts. Parametric modeling allows the creation of complex geometries for 3D printing with high precision and possibilities of modification in the design process.

Types of design processes

CAD design is the most common way to obtain a 3D file for 3D printing but there are many ways to design an object in a CAD software before 3D printing it.

Parametric modeling

The most used by professional designers and industrials is parametric modelling. The principle is to define parameters on the components of your sketch and the different features. The components will then be parametrically driven and easily modified thanks to the tree history. More, you can mathematically define relationship for parameters that allows to modify the design of your object by changing a few values.

Direct modeling

This technique is more natural and 'on-the-fly' than parametric modeling. The direct modeling (or Explicit modeling) technique focuses on the model geometry to create the object that can be easily shared, modified and iterated.

Surface modeling

Based on a Nurbs system, surface modeling is a technique that allows free geometry and more natural shapes from curves. It is perfectly fitted for organic bodies or smooth shapes like car bodies, turbine blades.

If you want to learn more about the different software and tutorials about CAD modeling, refer to this page. Macbook pro 2017 touchpad not clicking.

How to save time with parameters

The first thing to consider before starting with a parametrically driven CAD model, is how and where the parameters will be used.

Parametric design is based on the sketches of your model. These sketches contain dimensions, constraints and relationship between the elements of your drawing. The advantage of setting the parameters early in the design process is that you can then go back to your sketches to automatically modify the features of your final design.

Best Parametric Modeling Software

This makes this modeling technique particularly fitted for manufacturing technique and especially 3D printing as you can iterate your model faster.

Parametrically Driven Cube

Parametric design can also be used to give parameters to features you want to control. For example, at Sculpteo, we designed a grid shaped square.

The parameters we defined are the thickness of the grid, the amount of wires and the size of the cube.

Thanks to these parameters that we have set at the beginning, we just have to change one of the values to obtain a completely different cube.

The modifications are applied on the sketches of the design and on all the operations we did on the drawings.

Complex parametric design mechanism

A more complex example of parametrically driven models is this Geneva Drive (or Maltese cross) mechanism.

This type of mechanism is extremely useful to translate a continuous motion into a intermittent one. The parameter we established allows us to modify the number of stops, the center-to-center distance between the gears and the diameter of the gear.

In a few seconds, the parameters apply the modification on the model to fit what we decided.

We just have to upload our file on Sculpteo and 3D print it!

Parametric Drawing Software Definition

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Parametric is a term used to describe a dimension's ability to change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
Feature-based is a term used to describe the various components of a model. For example, a part can consists of various types of features such as holes, grooves, fillets, and chamfers. A ‘feature' is the basic unit of a parametric solid model.
Parametric modelling uses the computer to design objects or systems that model component attributes with real world behaviour. Parametric models use feature-based, solid and surface modelling design tools to manipulate the system attributes. One of the most important features of parametric modelling is that attributes that are interlinked automatically change their features. In other words, parametric modelling allows the designer to define entire classes of shapes, not just specific instances. Before the advent of parametrics, editing the shape was not an easy task for designers. For example, to modify a 3D solid, the designer had to change the length, the breadth and the height. However, with parametric modelling, the designer need only alter one parameter; the other two parameters get adjusted automatically. So, parametric models focus on the steps in creating a shape and parameterize them. This benefits product design engineering services providers a lot.
The Parametric Modelling Process
Parametric models are built from a set of mathematical equations. For parametric models to have any legitimacy, they must be based on real project information. It is the modernity of the information examination techniques and the breadth of the hidden undertaking information which decides the viability of a modelling solution.
There are two popular parametric representation models:
Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG)
CSG defines a model in terms of combining basic (primitive) and generated (using extrusion and sweeping operation) solid shapes. It uses Boolean operations to construct a model. CSG is a combination of 3D solid primitves (for example a cylinder, cone, prism, rectangle or sphere) that are then manipulated using simple Boolean operations.
Boundary Representation (BR)
In BR, a solid model is formed by defining the surfaces that form its spatial boundaries (points, edges, etc.) The object is then made by joining these spatial points. Many Finite Element Method (FEM) programs use this method, as it allows the interior meshing of the volume to be more easily controlled.
Advantages
Drawing
These are the benefits offered by 3D parametric modelling over traditional 2D drawings:
  • Capability to produce flexible designs
  • 3D solid models offer a vast range of ways to view the model
  • Better product visualization, as you can begin with simple objects with minimal details
  • Better integration with downstream applications and reduced engineering cycle time
  • Existing design data can be reused to create new designs
  • Quick design turnaround, increasing efficiency
Parametric Modelling Tools
There are many software choices available in the market today for parametric modelling. On a broad level, this software can be categorized as:
  • Small scale use
  • Large scale use
  • Industry specific modelling
Of the three, the last category (viz. industry specific parametric software) has gained in popularity. A few of the leading industry software is:
Parametric solid modeling software
These are the benefits offered by 3D parametric modelling over traditional 2D drawings:
  • Capability to produce flexible designs
  • 3D solid models offer a vast range of ways to view the model
  • Better product visualization, as you can begin with simple objects with minimal details
  • Better integration with downstream applications and reduced engineering cycle time
  • Existing design data can be reused to create new designs
  • Quick design turnaround, increasing efficiency
Parametric Modelling Tools
There are many software choices available in the market today for parametric modelling. On a broad level, this software can be categorized as:
  • Small scale use
  • Large scale use
  • Industry specific modelling
Of the three, the last category (viz. industry specific parametric software) has gained in popularity. A few of the leading industry software is:
SolidWorks
Introduced in 1995 as a low-cost competitor to the other parametric modeling software products, SolidWorks was purchased in 1997 by Dassault Systemes. It is primarily used in mechanical design applications and has a strong following in the plastics industry.
CATIA
Dassault Systemes created CATIA in France in the late 1970s. This sophisticated software is widely used in the aeronautic, automotive, and shipbuilding industries.
PTC
Creo Parametric is the standard in 3D CAD software. It provides the broadest range of powerful yet flexible 3D CAD capabilities to accelerate the design of parts and assemblies.




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