What is 3D Rendering?

3D rendering is the process of turning information from a 3D model into a 2D image. 3D rendering can be used to create a variety of images, from the intentionally non-realistic to what’s called photorealistic. The latter look so much like images captured by a traditional camera that most consumers can’t tell the difference between a 3D rendering and a “real” photo.

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So, what are some of the reasons IDS uses 3D rendering over product photography?

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Quick

A benefit to the client is the quick turnaround time we can provide them with renders which can help visualise what the final product will look like without having to build a full scale prototype.

Additionally, should a shot have been forgotten about or not quite come out perfectly, it can quickly and easily be rendered with the exact same lighting and environment as before. This is difficult and time consuming to do with a traditional photography setup. Also, the ability to make design changes on the fly can be a major benefit and means that should something not look quite right, a quick change can be made instead of having to remodel an entire prototype.

Flexible

One of the most convenient benefits of 3D modelling and product rendering is that we have full control over light and this is one area that shows how much more flexible rendering is. It allows for setting up lighting – their type, intensity, and warmth. Adding, removing or editing lights in CGI costs just a few clicks, and the time it takes to render a new image. Compare this to physically taking the correct lights to a shoot or even waiting for the right time of day, it is easy to see how CGI is not only quicker but also cheaper compared to traditional photography.

Cost Effective

As mentioned above, 3D rendering is cheaper than photography as cameras, lenses, environments, etc. can get very expensive, very quickly. That isn’t even taking editing/retouching of the images into consideration and then there’s travel costs, shipping costs and similar, easy to forget costs, which can build up too.

Then there are the previous benefits stated such as quick changes and no need for perfect prototypes. Plus, if it needs to be clear that there are different colour options, this can changed with a click of a button instead of spending money on multiple prototypes in each colour.

Overall, 3D rendering is much more cost effective, time efficient and provides incredible results. It is a method that benefits all parties.

 

Today the majority of organisations are now using 3D CAD software for concept design work, however there’s still a good percentage out there that are continuing to use hand-drawn sketches and other more traditional methods. Whilst paper based design work is still a reasonable method for working on designs, it does have a number of limitations, which could make your service less competitive.

As technology advances and competition increases, now could be the perfect time for you to make the switch to 3D CAD to realize your designs.

Developments in CAD technology have meant that there are now tools for creating designs that are more advanced than ever before. Whatever you are looking to create, you can do so quickly, efficiently and cost effectively with the use of 3D computer aided design software.

Advantages of using 3D CAD

Switching to using 3D CAD to realize your designs will bring many new advantages. For starters, it will significantly reduce design ambiguity and make it easier for you to get across your design. The clearer your design is and the easier it is to understand, the less risk of misinterpretation and costly errors.

Identifying and solving issues

3D CAD software can also help you identify any problems with your design that you may not have spotted on paper. This saves you from putting a design into production that doesn’t actually work or has severe limitations.

By realizing your design on CAD and testing it on screen, you can identify any issues and resolve them using the software, saving a significant amount of time, effort and money.

No physical prototyping

The fact you can design, test and optimise using 3D CAD software will prevent you from needing to physically prototype your ideas. This not only saves time but also materials. You can basically do everything you need to do on screen and get the information you need to decide whether your design is going to work or not.

Less risk to your reputation

3D CAD gives you the opportunity to discover problems early on in the process, which can also save time and expense. It will also prevent you from putting designs into production with risks or problems that could end up damaging your reputation as a designer.

Great for co-operative working

Computer programs like 3D CAD also allow for easy sharing. This means you will be able to send your designs electronically to someone in a different department, office or even country. This flexibility allows you to co-operatively work on designs and get feedback, without lengthy time gaps in communication.

Do I need to make the switch?

Whilst paper designs are okay for jotting down rough ideas, if you are taking your design work seriously, you need to be using 3D CAD software in order to keep up with the latest industry standards.

Today’s designers are almost expected to using 3D CAD software, so if you hand someone a paper-based drawing to create a product from, chances are they’re going to ask for the CAD version.

Luckily there are plenty of courses out there that teach 3D CAD but if you would rather outsource CAD work either in the mean time or in the long term, you can work with a company offering professional 3D CAD services like us.

We can help you turn your creative ideas into professional 3D CAD models. This will not only help you to get a better feel for your idea but also test its durability and limitations.

Outlining a concept in paper format may be the more traditional way but designers are rapidly moving to a digital method because of the many advantages it offers.

2D CAD draughting provides far superior versatility and enables fabricators and designers to achieve far more within a relatively short space of time.

Here’s a closer look at 2D CAD draughting and the advantages it offers.

What is 2D CAD draughting?

The time-honoured practice of sketching out everything on paper has been transformed by the digital revolution and designers can now achieve the same results – or better – using 2D CAD (Computer Aided Design).

The full details of any design can be mapped out in the most intricate of detail, with mechanical and functional components included in the plans too.

A professional draughtsman can drill down into the smallest factors with 2D CAD, providing a plan which is versatile and shows the true functionality of the final design.

Everything from pipework to plumbing can be included in the plan which allows the core schematics to be calculated with absolute precision before any building begins.

Flexible design

Unless you work in design, it’s often not until you see a plan in all its glory that you will be able to accurately envisage exactly what it will look like.

A professional draughtsman can provide a realistic reproduction of the finished piece, showing how every element would fit together and how the space would be used.

The major benefit of using 2D CAD is that if you don’t like something, it’s very easy to amend, especially when compared to paper-based designs. With a digital program, it only takes a few clicks to radically change a layout and experiment with different options.

This means that you end up with the design that you really want rather than the one which was produced first.

Time-saving

The ease in which a plan can be produced with the assistance of 2D CAD is phenomenal when compared to a manual design.

The computer will automatically calculate many of the key features, leaving the draughtsman free to focus on where their skills are needed the most. Engineering, analysis and simulation can all be performed by the computer and where errors are found, can be immediately corrected.

With some of the manual calculations removed, the process of creating a design is far quicker, whether it’s the first draft or an amended plan.

Error-free

The other major benefit to using CAD is that there’s far less room for errors due to the reduced number of manual calculations.

The computer can automatically calculate various factors and input them as the design is created. Everything from mechanical components to the dimensions of a piece of equipment can be digitally produced and altered without any help.

With designs far quicker to produce and less manual input, the inevitable conclusion is a set of plans which are far more accurate.

Cost-effective

Regardless of all of the other benefits on offer from 2D CAD, without question one of the most appealing to a customer is the money it can save.

With the process of using a professional draughtsman dramatically shortened, you can have all the benefits of their expertise but without having to pay for so many hours of their time. With the assistance of CAD, designed a concept plan is far quicker, leaving you with more money in your pocket.

The other advantage is that the superior digital designs are much easier to understand so you can make sure you get what you really want first time around rather than having to pay for expensive alterations.

A professional draughtsman will add a number of benefits to your design process but using 2D CAD will enhance the experience even further. Eliminating errors, cutting costs and making the process more flexible for the customer, the benefits of 2D CAD draughting are endless. For more information about we can help you contact us today.

Flat pack furniture has been around forever and often gets a bad press, being associated with cheap design and poor quality.

However the evolution of new technology has breathed new life into the concept and rather than being seen as a tired and old-fashioned type of furniture, flat pack could well hold the key to the future.

In recent months, 3D printing has been in the headlines more often than it’s been out, offering possibilities and capturing the public’s imagination in a way never before seen. And it’s the combination of 3D printing and CAD design coupled with flat pack that’s providing an entirely new vision for the future.

We take a look at the future of flat pack and ask whether it could really be possible to design your own home in this way?

What is 3D printing and CAD design?

CAD design is a process often used by architects and interior designers that allow them to recreate an environment in a virtual 3D form.

This type of software allows every aspect to be manipulated and tweaked to ensure that the final design is absolutely perfect and doesn’t contain any unwanted surprises.

Kitchen design is often completed using CAD software, allowing the designer and the customer to work together to create a finish which delivers on every level.

3D printing combines perfectly with CAD design, although at present it’s more frequently used for smaller applications. Nevertheless, the technology is there for any design to be converted to a compatible file type and then read and “printed” using a choice of materials to create a strong, durable and accurate 3D design.

3D printing doesn’t have the same limitations as traditional engineering and it’s possible to create far more intricate shapes and designs than could have been achieved in the past. This flexibility of design eradicates the need for vulnerable joints and hinges and allows the final product to be far stronger than could have been previously produced.

How it could work

Homes have already been created using 3D printing technology so there’s no doubt about whether the concept is possible, it’s just how it could work in practice.

In theory the idea could be very straightforward as the designers already have the necessary skills from their experience in working with CAD software for other housing projects. However, rather than simply recreating the perfect kitchen, designers and architects would design an entire house.

And just like the present CAD design process used on a smaller scale, this would allow potential homeowners to be far more involved in the final result. From deciding where to put plug sockets to the number of bedrooms, customers could create their own home to meet their requirements without the huge expenses which currently are unavoidable for those who want to have input into the design.

These final CAD designs could easily be converted into a flat pack model which could be quickly and easily erected, saving thousands of pounds and months’ worth of construction.

Is this the future?

Although the technology is currently available, it’s likely to take some time before the idea becomes a wide spread reality for most home owners.

As 3D printing continues to expand and grow the possibilities for practical design will continue to increase as well, and will gradually become a more mainstream idea, rather than a rather unorthodox alternative.

One of the benefits of this concept is that housing could be designed, created and constructed within a very short space of time. For those areas which are suffering from a dire shortage of housing, perhaps this solution might be the way forward…?

Only time will tell for certain but keep a look out for some creatively designed new housing popping up any time soon…

Today 3D computer aided design software is used by many different industries. The innovative software provides individuals with the opportunity to create accurate drawings, plans and product specifications to aid their manufacturing processes. Whilst increasing the accuracy of their designs, 3D CAD software also speeds up the design process and allows businesses to make better use of their resources. Here we take a look at how eight different industries use 3D CAD design and what can be achieved.

1. Architecture

Before carrying out work on a building, architects are required to create detailed plans that explain how the new structure will work and what it will look like. Today these plans can be created using 3D CAD software.

This innovative software allows architects to physically build up the structure on scree, with accurate measurements and costing. They can then present the design to their clients, as well as contractors working on the project, to ensure that everyone is happy with the design and working towards the same goal.

2. Fashion

Whilst many fashion designers start out with pencil sketches, most tend to use 3D CAD software before putting their designs into production. Using 3D CAD software allows them to increase the efficiency of fashion design and prevent materials from being wasted.

Getting to view their designs on virtual models and see how the clothing moves with the body, gives fashion designers an insight into whether or not their designs will work. If something’s not quite right, they can simply make changes with a few clicks of the mouse – no time or resources wasted.

3. Interior design

Interior designers use 3D CAD software in a similar way to architects i.e. for planning purposes. CAD software is often designed with modules for interior designers, giving them access to a wide range of units and furniture options, which they can drag and drop into their 3D floor plans.

3D CAD software gives interior designers the opportunity to check that a particular design works, before attempting to sell it to the customer. The 3D floor plans created can also help to boost customers’ confidence during the initial stages and ensure they are 100% happy with their design before the work starts.

CAD software is a great costing tool that allows interior designers to accurately estimate the cost of the interior design and present it to their customers for approval.

4. Mechanical engineering

All mechanical engineers from automotive to aerospace use 3D CAD software to ensure 100% accuracy throughout the design, manufacturing and testing process. The products they create are often very expensive, which is why getting the design right first time with 3D CAD software is of great benefit to them.

5. Landscape gardening

Landscape gardeners commonly use 3D CAD software to create detailed plans for their clients. Using CAD software, they can create the layout of the garden and decide on the best location for things like fences, patio areas and water features. Some 3D CAD software even allows gardeners to plan where their trees and flowerbeds are going to grow.

3D CAD software not only helps landscape gardeners plan their designs but sell them to customers too. By providing customers with an accurate overview of what their garden will look like, they are more likely to have confidence in the gardener and be willing to go ahead with the plans.

From creating accurate plans to increasing buyer confidence, 3D CAD software has a wide range of benefits and uses throughout various different industries. Over the years it has become the go-to software for designers and will continue to play an important role in years to come.