Taking 2D to a Higher Level—the Cloud!

Conveying design information through use of 2D drawings has a rich history. Linear perspective drawings, which create an illusion of depth on a flat surface, were first used in the 1400s. Orthographic projection and descriptive geometry were used in the 1700s.

Drafting by hand ruled until computer-based, 2D AutoCAD came out in the 1980s and was soon followed by various 3D CAD solutions. In the 1990s 2D drawings were still the primary method of communicating with manufacturing, but in the past two decades the richness of 3D models has changed 2D’s role.

While not as realistic as 3D models, 2D drawings distill rich 3D models into a simplified perspective in which selected vital information, such as dimensions and tolerances, are concisely presented to facilitate important decisions. Plus, on the many occasions where hard copies are preferred, such as a remote construction site or a dusty shop floor, low-cost and printer-friendly 2D drawings are still easier to use.

Despite the growing use of 3D parts and assemblies, many companies continue to rely on 2D drawings.

Who’s on first?

One of the most significant challenges facing many companies today is how to keep everyone on the same page—especially with increasing numbers of employees working from home. Often, those outside engineering or project management have a difficult time with access to the necessary technologies and systems because of the complex nature of engineering tools, which don’t facilitate collaboration.

Therefore, data extractions, screen captures, emails, phone calls, Excel spreadsheets, and more litter a technology environment with disparate systems that don’t speak the same language. Keeping an audit trail of such data is overwhelming and can be practically impossible.

In addition, approvals from critical stakeholders can become bottlenecks that impede progress. Constant challenges include knowing who is working on what, when each project segment is due, what is causing delays, and how to resolve the problems at hand.

Working Together Made Easy

3DEXPERIENCE® DraftSight enables you to manage drawing files and 2D design data on the cloud in a collaborative environment. Your designs can be stored online, easily reused, and securely managed. 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight provides a host of features and capabilities, including:

  • Creating, editing, viewing, and marking up any 2D or 3D DWG file
  • Securing storage and easy sharing of drawing files and data
  • Convenient and streamlined project communication

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform connects your preferred 2D CAD solution to the cloud to access design and data management capabilities. 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight is part of the 3DEXPERIENCE Works portfolio of cloud solutions, bringing all your team members together onto a single collaborative platform. 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight helps designers create and share designs quickly and easily. It also enables key stakeholders to provide feedback throughout the product development process or project because all the design data is stored securely and always accessible from anywhere and at any time.

Your designs can now be stored online, easily reused, and securely managed. Data cannot be lost or deleted accidentally. With all the data in the same place, everyone has real-time access to a single source of truth, which helps teams avoid the risk of being out of sync on drawing revisions.

Get More Information

Download the eBook, The Top 5 Benefits of 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight, to learn how connecting DraftSight to the cloud eliminates information silos and helps teams work together faster and more efficiently.

Millions of designers trust DraftSight’s proven desktop 2D CAD, which provides the productivity tools, functionality, and file compatibility needed to create, edit, view, and mark up any DWG file quickly and efficiently.

3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight takes 2D computing to another level by connecting the right people with the right tools and real-time information on one unified platform from concept to reality, enabling everyone to make better decisions faster. When DraftSight is connected to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, you benefit from a facilitated collaboration environment. Plus, revision control is maintained since all files are accessed in real time.


Originally posted in the SOLIDWORKS Blog.

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