Introduction

Few could argue that the 2D drawing world of AutoCAD and other drawing applications (Our own DraftSight…) remain powerful tools for conveying design intent in many areas of design. This is whether they are used to document 3D model developments or to stand on their own as the initial point of design. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform has developed around the concept of a “digital twin” which represents the shape of physical objects in 3D. Subsequently, all aspects of the “product structure” within design are developed assuming a 3D representation is available at the heart of the engineering definition.

So what can we do for our customers  that want to continue to design in 2D for the foreseeable future and leave the door open for an evolution to 3D CAD solutions in the future? Fundamentally,  there would be 3 phases of design development on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform:
•    Design Development Based on 2D Drawings
•    Design Development Based on 2D Drawings associated to 3D Models
•    Design Development Based on 3D Models driving 2D Drawings
 

Design Development Based on 2D Drawings

In this phase, AutoCAD drawings will be managed within the platform using the role Collaborative Designer for AutoCAD (UDA).  This results in drawings  managed under the governance of all the same tools that govern 3D physical products, such as Change Management, Design Review and Classification. Here is a quick review of the user experience.

To fully leverage the power of the platform, however, a product structure should be established to, at minimum, connect the drawings to the Bill of Material structure which is represented by the physical products. This product structure would establish the engineering Bill of Material EBOM) which we can then link to the supporting drawings. This is accomplished through the 3D Product Architect (PAU) role which allows  you to create the product structure independent of 3D CAD. Here is a quick review of the user experience for building out the structure with this role.

Design Development Based on 2D Drawings associated to 3D Models

With the basic product structure defined, we can begin associating managed  AutoCAD Drawings to the structure. This is done by manually linking drawings as Attachments to the specific products that have been defined using the 3D Product Architect role. Here is a quick review of the user experience for building out the product structure.

 Design Development Based on 3D models driving 2D drawings 

If a company decides to bring true 3D CAD solutions into the development process, the existing 2D drawings can continue to be utilized.  This is because the templates, used for the original product definitions, can evolve to associate subsequent 3D design work into the structure. In addition, the drawings created by the 3D CAD system will automatically be linked to the products and will not disturb the  existing attached AutoCAD Drawings. 

Summary

The ability to predefine the product structure provides a flexible development environment for companies that work in 2D and wish to transition to 3D. The platform fully supports this transition by providing an environment that allows both development methologies to contineu at the same time.