Contrast the role of 3-D modeling in manufacturing and construction applications.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Although 3-D computer modeling predominates in manufactured systems, its use in civil engineering design practice is still fairly limited; this trend will likely continue for the foreseeable future. In some of the larger civil engineering firms, 3-D models of projects are created, but these computer models are typically specialized for civil applications and cannot be used to generate 2-D drawings directly from the models. The 2-D drawings are still created independently from the 3-D models. For manufactured products, drawings are becoming less important, especially as modern software enhances the ability to send 3-D computer models electronically to CNC lathes for production. This is not the case for civil and architectural applications. In civil engineering practice, design and construction are still accomplished primarily through drawings. Construction projects are not built in climate-controlled, clean environments. Projects are constructed outside with exposure to the elements, often far away from electric power sources or network connections. Physical drawings are still far more practical in this environment than are 3-D computer models.