Why moving to solids makes sense

Reduced number of engineering change orders (ECOs) Reduced time spent on ECOs Reduced scrap from design errors Reduced scrap from CAM integrationThese results were consistent across several industries regardless of the previous 2D CAD systems used. Handling large, complex assemblies of moving parts. It is more instructive in 3D. Most solid-modeling systems work with motion-analysis programs so users can see proposed designs in action. When the motion study shows that a particular movement, such as an arm extension, is insufficient, the digital assembly can be modified to correct the shortcoming. Performing similar studies working solely in 2D can be tedious, labor-intensive, and slow. Drawing checkers alone can spend countless hours pouring over drawings testing fit and tolerance dimensions. And this is compounded as multiple related drawings often need to be checked concurrently. Simply put, designing in 3D is the best way to generate drawings quickly. Most 3D systems produce drawings in seconds once a design is complete. Users identify top, front, and side views, and cross sections, and the CAD system automatically generates the views and applies the dimensions. Leveraging 3D technology, documentation, publication, and marketing support improves significantly. Graphics, drawings, and exploded assembly illustrations can be generated easily from the original solid model.Contrast this with manually creating the same drawings in 2D. This inevitably requires mental gymnastics to correctly envision each view. And drawing multiple views, such as isometric, exploded assemblies, details, and sections, is additional work because redrawings are made line by line. It's easier to configure derivative products and product families. Solid-modeling systems often include spreadsheets to hold the driving equations and key dimensions that let users generate larger or smaller versions of the original part or assembly. It is more difficult in 2D to efficiently develop variations of complex products and assemblies. Product variants of different sizes,