Hello everyone!
Today and tomorrow I am going to tell you something about 3D parametric modeling: I'll try to provide a simple and easy to understand definition for this modeling method and to define and analyze all the elements it is made up of.
In particular, I'll try to clearly answer the following questions:
- What is 3D parametric modeling?
- What are the features and why are they so important?
- What are parameters and what are they used for?
What is 3D parametric modeling?
3D parametric modeling is a revolutionary approach to CAD/CAM; it is also referred as “feature-based modeling” because each solid body and/or surface is created through a series of subsequent modeling operations called “features”. Each feature contains and is controlled by particular parameters, mainly dimensions and relationships between parts. Many kinds of features exist, here are some examples: holes, fillets, shells, plus the four main 3D modeling operations - extrude, revolve, sweep and loft.
When modeling, what we see and work with are shapes, solid bodies and surfaces; what we don't immediately realize is that mathematics and equations are hidden behind every model and operation. For example, when modeling a cylinder, we need to input - whether consciously or not - at list two measures: the first one is the diameter/radius of its basis, the second one is its height; so when dealing with a 3D model shaped as a cylinder, we know that it contains – somewhere – its mathematical information, in a nutshell: its parameters.
Parametric modeling is a modern, flexible and innovative approach to 3D modeling, which constantly guarantees the highest control of geometry attributes. It's not the only 3D modeling method existing, but it's the best one if you work on architecture, design and/or engineering projects.
A good definition for 3D parametric modeling is the following:
3D parametric modeling is a modeling method which allows the creation of both solids and surfaces, relying on parameters and features.
So, what are exactly parameters and features?
I will answer this question tomorrow, so stay tuned for my next article!
Thanks everyone !
Note: all images on this article were created by the author, the word cloud at the beginning was created with a free online tool (Wordclouds.com).