In a world where collaboration on 3D models is essential, many companies face a dilemma: should they invest in an expensive CAD system just to view data, or settle for a basic visualizer? 3DViewStation offers a powerful alternative, bridging the gap between simple viewing tools and advanced CAD analysis, making it accessible to non-experts while boosting business processes.
What is a CAD System and a CAD Visualization Tool?
A CAD system (Computer-Aided Design) is a comprehensive software suite used to design, edit, and analyze 2D and 3D models. It provides a wide range of tools for engineers, architects, and designers to create accurate and complex technical drawings and models. These systems are often used in product development, manufacturing, and other technical fields requiring detailed modeling.
On the other hand, CAD visualizers (also called "reviewers" or "inspection tools") allow users to view, measure, and annotate CAD data without modifying it. Such tools are often used by teams that don't need to create or edit models but still need to interact with this data in their daily workflows. These departments include engineering, quality management, technical documentation, sales, and marketing.
Why Choose 3DViewStation Over a Simple Viewer?
Our solution, 3DViewStation, goes beyond being a simple viewer and is often described as a CAD system without modeling capabilities. Unlike basic CAD visualizers, it includes advanced features such as clash detection, wall thickness analysis, precise distance and angle measurement, and curvature analysis. These are functionalities typically reserved for full CAD systems but are made available to all users with 3DViewStation.
Although 3DViewStation does not support creating new geometries, it offers the ability to create assembly sequences, where parts can be hidden, moved, or displayed in exploded views. This is particularly useful for preparing assembly instructions or for technical presentations.
Advanced Features for All Departments
3DViewStation offers a wide range of features organized into several categories, addressing the diverse needs of CAD data users. Among these are:
- Import and export: Support for BREP and PMI formats, exporting to PDF and other formats.
- Rendering: Display in solid mode, wireframe, shadow, silhouette, and material management.
- Navigation and visualization: Zoom, rotate, exploded views, layer management, and full-screen display.
- Analysis: Clash detection, wall thickness analysis, curvature, model comparison, and precise measurements (distances, surfaces, volumes).
- Collaboration and documentation: Redlining, annotations, BOM generation, and creation of technical views.
- IP Protection (Intellectual Property): Hide or remove internal parts and distort geometry to protect sensitive data.
These features enable deep analysis, optimized visualization, and data protection while facilitating collaboration across various departments within the company.
The Limits of Basic Visualization Tools
While a CAD visualizer or inspection tool allows users to view models, it does not support modeling or advanced data management. However, 3DViewStation offers a compelling alternative: although it cannot create new models, it addresses a wide range of needs such as model analysis and preparation, often without requiring advanced technical training.
With its extensive analysis and visualization capabilities, 3DViewStation is an essential tool for collaborative processes, particularly for users who don’t need heavy modeling functionalities but still want to interact with CAD data in a meaningful way.
Conclusion: A Powerful Alternative to CAD Systems
In summary, 3DViewStation is more than just a CAD visualizer—it is a productivity booster for anyone working with CAD data. Whether you're a quality manager, technician, salesperson, or marketer, 3DViewStation allows you to visualize, analyze, and share models effectively, all without the complexity of a full CAD system. Try 3DViewStation today and discover how it can transform your workflows and improve collaboration across your organization!