Leverage Machine Learning in 3D CAD

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3D Creator is a 3D parametric modeling solution built on the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE® platform. You can use it as a dedicated tool or to complement your SOLIDWORKS® 3D CAD with flexible design workflows and a seamless interchange of design data. With its single modeling environment for parts and assemblies, 3D Creator lets you focus on design and not how you organize your files.

And since it runs on the 3DEXPERIENCE® platform, you can leverage its fully integrated, scalable data management capabilities and built-in revision control. Here are some capabilities in 3D Creator that I think you’ll really appreciate.

 

Venture into Machine Learning with Design Assistant

New machine learning algorithms built into 3D Creator (and coming soon to 3D Sculptor) will add a new level of productivity to your daily CAD projects.

Essentially, when you make selections, the Design Assistant suggests or predicts what should be selected next based on the work completed to this point. When picking an edge to fillet or a chamfer, the artificial intelligence (AI) looks at other edges that are similar or symmetrical, are of a comparable length or are located nearby, and predicts what other edges you are likely to select. Add another manual selection and the prediction is refined. If you agree with the prediction, one tap gives the go-ahead, and Design Assistant automatically picks all suggested edges.

Edge selection automation predicts what should be selected for the given command based on the underlying geometry and utilizing geometry recognition to accelerate the design process.

Sketching will have the Design Assistant available soon (see video). Most people don’t think about it, but cloud-based apps allow automated intelligence to more easily “learn” from your designs. The more design you do in the system, the smarter its recommendations become since it is continually evolving and learning from what you’ve done on previous models.

3D Print to the Cloud

Now, you don’t have to fill out build envelop specifications when 3D printing from 3D Creator. Instead, simply select the make and model of your printer and the correct fields auto-populate. The list includes all top industrial-grade 3D printers.

We have partnered with Wohler Associates to provide technical and strategic consulting on the new developments and trends in rapid product development, additive manufacturing, and 3D printing, and to develop a comprehensive drop-down list within 3D Creator of all the top industrial 3D printers in the market today worldwide.

When ready to print, you want to be sure your design will fit within the build envelope of the 3D printer. This new feature offers all major 3D printer manufacturers’ build envelopes for checking build size and orientation. You can also create a favorites list of printers for easy access.

And, of course, because 3D Creator runs on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, you can either print to your supported printers on the cloud or send the data to your manufacturing solutions on the platform.

Refresh updated SOLIDWORKS files with the push of a button

If changes are made to SOLIDWORKS part files in SOLIDWORKS and need to be reflected in 3D Creator, the updated files can now be refreshed with a single push of the new Re-import button. Work collaboratively across the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD with simplified updates to any changes made to SOLIDWORKS part files.

3Dconnexion Support

3Dconnexion designs and manufactures easy-to-use mice designed explicitly for CAD professionals, and its products are now compatible with 3D Creator. (3Dconnextion products have been compatible with SOLIDWORKS desktop for several years.)

The mouse solutions act kind of like a joystick, which also allows movement in all directions including in the Z-axis. The idea is that you have a mouse in your dominant hand and can rotate the model with the other hand while you are pointing at things.

I am incredibly excited to announce these continuing updates to 3D Creator. Please contact your local reseller for more information and feel free to share what you think below. If you would like to give 3D Creator and other innovative cloud-based solutions on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, please click on the banner below to get started with your very own seven-day trial.

 

 

Mark Rushton

Mark Rushton is a Product Portfolio Manager for SOLIDWORKS and has been involved with 3D CAD and 3D Printing for over 15 years in several capacities from research to consulting for the likes of Rolls Royce, GE, JCB and Dyson. When not playing with 3D printers or other tech, he is most likely out snowboarding, wake boarding or mountain biking.