Autodesk makes move to 3D CAD easier than ever

In a major bid to encourage the still lacklustre take-up of 3D CAD, the $1 billion Autodesk CAD/CAM giant is to offer all upgrades of the Mechanical Desktop suite with a free copy of its hugely powerful Inventor 3D. It’s being marketed as a combined new Autodesk Inventor Series, which actually includes Autodesk Inventor 3D, Autodesk Mechanical Desktop, as well as the functionality of AutoCAD and AutoCAD Mechanical software. You simply switch on what you require. Says Autodesk regional director Chris Pinner: “Users will no longer have to make that jump from 2D to 3D. There won’t be that initial investment issue or the fear factor. They’ll be able to progress at their own pace and see the difference for themselves.” He concedes that it’s just a start, not in itself able to persuade manufacturing businesses by directly addressing the difficulties of changing design and manufacturing department culture, working practices and the infrastructure issues. But he insists that for UK manufacturing to understand and take advantage of the huge benefits of 3D (and for Autodesk to win market share), the software industry itself has to act to provide an additional catalyst. And Pinner cites the overall business benefits way beyond CAD/CAM – in purchasing, component and assembly analysis, design for manufacture, manufacturing itself, indeed the whole collaboration theme, both internal and external. Without all this, he intones, UK manufacturers will continue to lose out, relying on the slow processes of paper and misunderstanding for product development and production. And be part of the “million of dollars still paid to FedEx to move paper around.” He acknowledges that there are still barriers beyond Autodesk’s and Solidworks’ control – like the roll out of broadband for the external collaboration piece and concerns over security. But he rightly concludes that these will evaporate. Pinner says that Autdesk’s entire world-wide 2,500 strong developer community across the industry vertical sectors, and its direct sales force, as well as many of its hundreds of partner VARs throughout industry world-wide, are focused on this achievement. Currently, less than 10% of users are on 3D – despite the fact that with several years now behind it, the technology is now mature. Pinner: “We want 2D people to move up to 3D.” And he also wants to continue fighting off main rival, Dassault’s Solidworks, which he concedes is: “probably better targeted on 3D.” His fear: “We’ve got to seriously impact the messaging to change this… Otherwise take-up could be another seven years away.” He opines that the real battle will be with the smaller engineering companies. “Why should they change… unless they’re forced to by their customers.” And his concern: by then it might be too late for them. Autodesk is already tackling the problem at the other end – influencing long term behaviour by providing thousands of Inventor licenses for schools and colleges, and working on training materials to accompany them.