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Find problems earlier<\/strong>. Let\u2019s tackle how moving from 2D to 3D CAD can benefit the process of designing new products. Using 3D CAD enables engineers and designers to detect problems with their designs much earlier because you can clearly see interferences between various components, something you are blissfully unaware of if your designs are created as 2D drawings. Unfortunately the bliss is short-lived when those interferences rear their ugly heads way down the line in prototyping when changes are costly, both in terms of cost and time to market.<\/p>\n Identify qualify issues faster<\/strong>. By creating products as 3D models first, designers can conduct virtual tests using simulation software to determine very early in the design process\u2014long before physical models exist\u2014whether your final product can withstand the rigors of its real-world environment. In addition to testing for strength, users can also test for thermal characteristics, vibration, frequency, kinematics, flow simulation, etc. By pinpointing problems early in the design cycle, engineers can go back and tweak and re-test, letting them rest assured that their final products will perform as designed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n More iterations = better products<\/strong>. The only way to truly create an innovative product is to evaluate as many design options as possible. If you\u2019re relying on 2D CAD, the number of iterations is severely limited, due to the high cost of physical prototyping and the realities of shorter time to market. The luxury of asking \u201cwhat if\u201d and having these queries answered without the need for any physical model\u2014through the use of virtual tests\u2014enables truly optimized products to be created without sacrificing time to market.<\/p>\n Easier design collaboration.<\/strong> Today, more and more disciplines are involved in design reviews. If you\u2019re still using 2D CAD, however, clearly communicating design intent takes on a new level of difficulty. Interpreting 2D drawings requires specialized skills. Sharing a product model in 3D greatly improves design collaboration and reduces the number of errors or miscommunications.<\/p>\n Faster design changes<\/strong>. Changes are an everyday reality for product designers. By offering design \u201cassociativity\u201d when changes are made to the 3D CAD model, anything that references it (including drawings, assemblies, NC programs, etc.) are automatically updated to reflect that change. So even late-stage design changes can be made without the need to redraw or recreate downstream deliverables. This leads to substantially shorter design cycles, accelerated time-to-market, and increased productivity.<\/p>\n Still not convinced? Download the \u201cHow-To Guide for Transitioning from 2D CAD to 3D CAD\u201d eBook<\/a> to learn best practices that will help you shorten the learning curve for adopting a 3D CAD tool and achieve the fastest possible ROI.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/solidworksblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/04\/SIM_Honda_Motorcycle.jpg\")
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