Any other CAD designers here?

[Anonymous]

Hey all, wondering if anyone else here does CAD? I’m looking through some models at work, wondering how people design certain parts, and I’m just like wtf are they even doing here? Lol

Probably a lack of experience on my part, but all the linking to other files and such, tons of build features, seemingly disorganized, it’s like I’m just not seeing the need for such complexity I guess. I was always told your model should be simple and least amount of features, but sometimes I open something up and it’s like I’ve developed dyslexia trying to decipher what their thought process even was. 😬

I get it, sometimes it takes a lot of features and operations but still. Designing in context… but I guess I’m just not seeing that simple A to B.

[andreasderjuengere]

I'm kind of old school - but 3D modelling is my daily job... mainly.
I do see a tendency in younger fellow engineers to overload drawings with unnecessary details and "decorations".
Unfortunately, this kind of infotainment impresses a customer, and in regards of marketing/sales this kind of drawing is justified.
But I do agree that our poor guys on the workfloor are confused by it, and so: over-inflated drawings or renderings make little sense in this respect.
I recently suggested it in our department, and our "starlet" designer felt pissed off.
Where the official outside inspector appreciated my comments.
Best thing to me seens: having both "options" prepared, but keep them kind of separated. This causes a little extra work when we think of updates and revisions.
But thinking of production efficiency, it's worth while.
And while our "starlet" indulges in "details", we others make things happen and get them done :)

[Asker]

I like to keep a lot of the same features together in the tree… or if I’m using surfaces or part bodies, give them their own folders (feature groups as NX calls them) and tuck them away high in the tree. And then all the actual commands used to define the end part are loose at the bottom… just keeps things tidy.

Layers and feature groups. Also non-associative curves and lines. But some of these parts with a long history. It’s like people don’t go back to the root of the change and they just add and add and add to the model over time. It’s horrible.

[Anonymous]

We make a lot of cad and 3d printing is a good way to learn before using a 5 axis mill!

We test our new hires on a 3d printer way before even letting them near our machines!

[Asker]

I’ve never had to use a 3D printer, in 8 years of working lol guess i would fail 😅

[Opinion Owner]

Probably 🤔 get one online for like 200 to learn!

[Anonymous]

No i don't