Sketches to 3D Conversion: The First Step towards Visualizing Your Design!

Creativity sparks great ideas

An idea is just an idea until you make it happen! This is a universal truth and stands correct for any walk of life, a technical field like engineering included. This blog discusses one of the initial steps an engineer takes to make their idea a reality and talks about sketches to 3D conversion.

Be it an ingenious product that is the brainchild of an inventive professional, a re-design of some machine for a customer, or even something having nothing but an aesthetic purpose, it all starts with an idea in someone’s mind.

In order to convert an idea into a reality, the first step is to transform it into a paper. In most cases, the first ever visual form of any invention or product is often a technical drawing which summarizes the whole concept in a form that allows for debate and feedback.

Once adequately discussed, the next step is to get a 3D model built out of it. These sketch to 3D CAD conversions are something quite achievable with modern CAD tools and really boosts the creative process owing to its speed and convenience.

Sketches to 3D Conversion: A Step by Step Process

A CAD expert usually follows certain standard steps in order to perform sketches to 3D conversion.  It all starts with a technical sketch of the final product. A technical drawing is something that not only has all the data needed to make an accurate 3D model like dimensions but it also includes the required tolerances, joints, fixtures etc.

Using these, a CAD operator creates models for different parts of the product. Once these parts are made, like in any manufacturing process, the next step is to assemble them. The drawing sheet comes in handy here as well since the fixtures defined in it help the CAD expert realize what kinds of restrictions, fasteners, and joints to use for assembly.

Figure 1: A Technical Drawing

Iin a sketch for 3D conversion for the caster wheel shown in this image, the expert can deduce that the wheel is to be pinned around the central support and that some fastener would be used to join together the stationary and moving parts.

Figure 2: The Final Product of a Sketches to 3D Conversion

The last step of conventional sketches to 3D conversion is the rendering. This step is not always performed if the customer does not need it, but it’s usually necessary in multi-part assemblies. The parts are given appropriate textures and colors according to their materials. Then, an environment is set up with proper orientation, lighting, and shadows, each of which makes the model look aesthetic. This image shows a fully rendered 3D model.

Sketches to 3D Conversion: The Benefits

Figure 3: A Flow Simulation of a Car Chassis

A sketch to 3D conversion is something that really does pay off.  Discussed ahead are just some of the benefits in getting a 3D model of your sketch.

First of all, a 3D CAD model is much better than a 2D sketch since it can be viewed from any orientation one likes. While a 2D sketch shows limited views of the product, a 3D model offers infinite views. This advantage is further enhanced by software features like cross-section views and animations.

The second major advantage is that modern machinery like 3D printers and CNC machines can process these 3D models. A sketch to 3D conversion yields a model which can be fed into a CAM software where a program can be formulated that can be used to perform both additive and subtractive manufacturing.

Finally, another major benefit of a 3D CAD model is that various analyses and simulations can be carried out over it such as structural analyses, flow analyses, or thermal simulations. The image below shows a flow simulation inside a venture, identifying areas of high and low velocities.

How CAD / CAM Services Can Help You Out?

CAD / CAM Services – Your Team of Experts!

CAD / CAM services is one of the leading companies providing sketches to 3D conversion services. Our company has a professional team of CAD experts that know their way around a multitude of CAD platforms and can prepare a 3D model out of your sketches any way you want.

Our services our top of the line and remarkably quick and accurate. Our 3D models precisely match with their 2D drawings and are perfectly rendered, making them look fantastic. We prepare CAD models that are manufacture-ready, with your actual 3D printed or CNC machined prototype only a CAM platform away.