3D Modeling vs 3D CAD

[Vman7]

Ok thought I would stir up some controversy on the subject of the difference between 3D Modeling and 3D CAD.

So those with knowledge/ or those who think they know the difference, lets hear some thoughts about these two powerful tools that people use to design with.


Lets keep it civil though :)

David

[myjones]

Ok thought I would stir up some controversy on the subject of the difference between 3D Modeling and 3D CAD.
So those with knowledge/ or those who think they know the difference, lets hear some thoughts about these two powerful tools that people use to design with.
Lets keep it civil though :)
David

BUMP
That's gonna leave a mark, but it will move ya to the top
DB

[2bking]

I'm not sure what you are referring to as 3D modeling vs 3D CAD. I've used ProE (displays in 3D, sketches in 2D) since the mid 90s. It has ten times the capability of what I can do and I have done some very complex designs. Solid Works was started by a defector from PTC so it has a lot in common to ProE. AutoCAD has a 3D product that at one time was way behind the ProE software. With all that said, its your talent that creates the product not necessarily the machine. ProE can do car bodies, ships, airplanes, etc. but I don't have the experience in those areas to make it usable because that's not my expertise. But I can go head to head with other software on sheet metal and mechanical designs using ProE.

I get a lot of advertisement of other modeling tools and their capabilities but it would take a lot of time to get to the same proficiency with them as I have now with ProE. Most all the software will let you create a solid model quickly and change it quickly but that's the selling stuff. The real time consuming part is embedding the tolerances, dimensional constraints, datums, and notes so a drawing isn't necessary or so these items will be on the drawing as intended. So maybe the real question is "How easy is it to do the back ground work?"