There can be substantial differences between 3D models. With so many 3D CAD applications, 3D libraries are often shared and converted from/to different file formats. During such conversions you will usually loose some "intelligence" of the 3D model.
So you can find many 3D blocks as wireframe only (very limited use), many 3D blocks as meshes (surface facets, no volume data - typically from visualization/rendering software) and many blocks as dumb solids (no features).
The intelligence of models created natively in parametric applications like Inventor or Revit is important when you need to modify/edit the 3D model. Depending on its intelligence, it can be as easy as changing a single numeric parameter or as difficult as redoing the model from scratch. Also the size of the model can depend a lot on the way how it was created. Defining a geometry and features using the native functionality of a parametric modeler leads to small, fast and effective models. Importing the same geometry as dumb objects makes larger, slower and clumsier models.
So make sure your 3D DWG block is really a solid object (not just facets), make sure that your IPT or RFA blocks are really created in Inventor or Revit, not just imported from AutoCAD DWG, IGES or other general (dumb) formats.
Showing posts with label 3D. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3D. Show all posts
4/6/08
Free web resources of CAD blocks
There are many sites on the Internet which offer free download of CAD blocks and symbols. Some of them are well organized, some are just a heap of DWG files, some have only simple 2D symbols, some are specialized on 3D models, paramtric libraries or AutoCAD dynamic blocks. Some are specialized to architecture, HVAC or electrical, some have mapping symbols, some have only mechanical libraries and standard parts. Even more and more manufacturers offer free CAD blocks of their products on their web sites.
Such web libraries can help CAD users to add quickly the required product, entourage or symbol to their drawings and 3D CAD models.
If you know or run a usefull free site containing blocks and families in DWG, DXF, RFA, IPT or SAT format, let me know - so I can add the link to your site.
Such web libraries can help CAD users to add quickly the required product, entourage or symbol to their drawings and 3D CAD models.
If you know or run a usefull free site containing blocks and families in DWG, DXF, RFA, IPT or SAT format, let me know - so I can add the link to your site.
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