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Concurrent Engineering Blog

What are the modern concept design tools?

Posted by Emma Rudeck on 15-Nov-2012 16:29:00

Concept design toolsConcept design doesn’t just happen in one tool. There is no one option fits all companies solutions. In fact, even users within the same industry have different preferences when it comes to concept design tools. What is important, though, is that the concept design tools you use are the best for the job. Concept design tools have undergone significant changes since the days of just engineering notebooks. So, let’s explore the modern ways of doing concept design. 

What traits should concept design tools have?

Before exploring the different types of tools, let’s look at a few of the traits that modern design tools need. To be truly effective, concept design needs to allow for as many design options to be explored. This means any time-wasting processes should be stripped back, so they don’t stop new concepts from being explored. As parts of this, all the different concept design tools used by your company should be interoperable. This means they can work together effectively and removes the need to recreated designs and models in downstream processes. It also makes it much easier to use existing models as the basis of your new concepts. Concept design tools should also be flexible and responsive, so that they don’t restrict any design exploration. At this stage, you don’t necessarily want design intent to limit what you can and cannot do- that can come later.

What are the main types of modern concept design tools?

Concept designs can be developed in a wide range of tools. In fact, designers and engineers can use more than one tool at different stages of the concept design development. As their ideas advance and grown more concrete, then it is likely they’ll transition from using a 2D tool to a 3D tool. This move is one of the key reasons that concept design tools need to be interoperable and flexible. It saves designers and engineers a lot of time, if they do not have o continually recreate designs in different design tools. 

#1 2D Sketching

Using a 2D sketching tool allows you to draw your design in a freeform style, using just a mouse or stylus. You don’t need to be restricted by any design intend or arcs and lines. Instead, you are free to explore you initial concepts.

#2 2D Modeling

A 2D modelling tool will use drafting tools, including arcs and line, to give a clear breakdown of all the traditional breaskdown views- side, top, bottom, cross-section.

#3 3D Direct Modeling

With a 3D direct modeling tool, you are able to drag, push, pull and reshape the design geometry as part of a direct modeling approach. This allows you to visualise your design, with little room for uncertainty.  

#4 3D Parametric Feature-Based Modeling

Using a 3D parametric feature-based modelling tool allows you to include the design intent within the model. It means that you have total control over all of the dimensions and parameters of the model.

As is clear, not every concept design tool is suitable for every job. But, through a combination of interoperable and flexible tools, it is possible to have all of features and functions necessary to fully explore and develop concept designs. 

Want to find out more about concept design tool? Take a look at our free presentation: Digitalising your Concept Development 2D vs 3D 

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