I realise I can't get a specific answer to this question, but general comments would be appreciated from people who have had this experience.

I have 15 years experience modelling complex mechanical components which go together in a fairly straightforward assembly (for example only, think of an engine). Looking at all the complicated parts, it is easy to understand why they take several days to model from scratch and assemble them together.

But nowadays our company is taking a different direction, and are wanting to design the product as well as the internal mechanics. So I am now doing more 'product' modelling (for example only, think of a car body shell). It seems to take me very much longer to create these types of flowing, aesthetic models than it does to create the complex prismatic parts.

Question:

Is this to be expected, or is there a different strategy to product modelling which would speed up the final result? I now use a lot of lofting, mirroring, splitting/Stock parts etc. and a little surfacing, but it seems to take such a long time.

Any advice gratefully received. (I may cross-post this to other boards).

TIA

Maurice