Comments on: The Evolution of CAD http://www.rhythmeering.com/2007/09/19/the-evolution-of-cad/ The Unified Field Of Knowledge Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:07:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Khepera http://www.rhythmeering.com/2007/09/19/the-evolution-of-cad/#comment-1378 Khepera Thu, 20 Sep 2007 06:52:50 +0000 http://www.rhythmeering.com/2007/09/19/the-evolution-of-cad/#comment-1378 In keeping with the theme of your blog, this trend seems to be more about bringing the non-engineering public into 'rhythm' with the so-called big boys. The first shift in nearly every transition/transformation is a shift in vision. Thru rendering/visualization of a finished product, those who once only sketched ideas, even with a straightedge, can now see their creations in full fledge 3D, as a finished product, without expending any funds on production. Similarly, in much the same way the machinima has shifted the costs/process/complexity of producing 3D animation & video from being exclusively in the province of major studios to something one can do on their home computer, 3D CAD rendering/visualization is doing the same for material products. Add to this the surging field of 3D printing which you have commented on in other entires, and the woodworking hobbyists of twenty years ago will soon be able to put out quality products of their own design, for not much more than a well equipped home woodworking shop would have cost in the early 70's. This is huge, in terms of what it means about putting the power in peoples hands to render their vision into products they can hold, touch & feel. Such a shift in capability, coupled with the prior shift in vision will quickly melt other arbitrary boundaries we have long accepted as inviolate. As both a long time CAD designer in engineering and a woodworking enthusiast, this bodes well for all. Like the old saying "A rising tide lifts all ships." In keeping with the theme of your blog, this trend seems to be more about bringing the non-engineering public into ‘rhythm’ with the so-called big boys. The first shift in nearly every transition/transformation is a shift in vision. Thru rendering/visualization of a finished product, those who once only sketched ideas, even with a straightedge, can now see their creations in full fledge 3D, as a finished product, without expending any funds on production.

Similarly, in much the same way the machinima has shifted the costs/process/complexity of producing 3D animation & video from being exclusively in the province of major studios to something one can do on their home computer, 3D CAD rendering/visualization is doing the same for material products. Add to this the surging field of 3D printing which you have commented on in other entires, and the woodworking hobbyists of twenty years ago will soon be able to put out quality products of their own design, for not much more than a well equipped home woodworking shop would have cost in the early 70’s.

This is huge, in terms of what it means about putting the power in peoples hands to render their vision into products they can hold, touch & feel. Such a shift in capability, coupled with the prior shift in vision will quickly melt other arbitrary boundaries we have long accepted as inviolate. As both a long time CAD designer in engineering and a woodworking enthusiast, this bodes well for all. Like the old saying “A rising tide lifts all ships.”

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