2D Computer Graphics Software - Case Study Example

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN (CAD) Student’s Name Course Tutor Institution Date 1. CAD Methods I. 2 D Computer Graphics Software These software/mechanics facilitate the generation of computer-based digital images. The images are often generated from two-dimensional geometric models through techniques that are specific to the models (Grover and Zimmers 2006, 78). 2 D software are always used in the development of printed or drawn applications. Radhakrishnan, Raju and Subramanyan 2008, 34) illustrated that the technologies that are used to draw and print the applications that are then developed by the software are inclusive of typography, technical drawing, and cartography. The Advantages and Disadvantages of 2 D Computer Graphics Software Advantages For instance, 2 D software provide sufficient information that can be accurately used to structure even unknown compounds and objects. Besides, the 2 D CAD are easier to share, store, and even improve in the future to better projections (Dimarogonas 2001, 85). Ideally, making improvements on manually designed models is always more hectic and the designs are also harder to share. This explains why there was a shift from the manual designs in the 1970s to 2 D CADs. Disadvantages Getting the right 2 D tools that serve in the development of engineering drawings, as well as concept designs, is challenging as most of the tools are designed for the engineering drawings (Shah & Mäntylä 1995, 65). Other than that, exploration the full range of design options is extremely difficult as there are limitations on the 2 D drawings and sketches. Eiteljorg (2003, 62) also illustrated that 2 D designs cannot be used for most prototyping as it cannot efficiently support rapid prototyping. II. 3 D Computer Graphics Software These are programs that are used for the production of CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) for industrial, scientific, and analytic purposes based on three-dimensional rendering and modeling. Also referred to as modelers, the programs develop a mesh through which they can either create or alter models to fit the view and angles of the desired drawing (Shah & Mäntylä 1995, 33). The 3 D modelers can import applications with compatible metadata to enable developing of native applications. Advantages According to Grover and Zimmers (2006, 63), the projections that are always developed in 3 D graphics always have high accuracy; their features like simulation and the measuring of vibrations ensure that every detail of the CAD is developed and according to the right scale. The other advantage defines the speed of mass productions as, as Wang (2004, 74) explained, 3 D computer graphics software have a capacity of developing numerous designs. Disadvantages One of the most significant constraints of 3 D software is the space that is required to develop the drawings and designs. Wang (2004, 74) elaborated that it is not feasible to draw and develop large objects using 3 D. Besides, the CAD also has questionable accuracy, as most of the prototypes that are developed from the CAD are test parts. Eiteljorg (2003, 69) argued that the accuracy of the dimensions of the prototypes is always hard to determine. It is for this reason that there has been doubting about the CAD’s complete accuracy mold. 2. CAD Hardware CADs have hardware components that include design workstations, secondary storage, plotters, and a CPU (Grover and Zimmers 2006, 79). Their connection is illustrated in the figure below: Source: (Shah & Mäntylä 1995, 23) Plotters Plotters are the vector graphic printers that have surface instruments for drawing and developing art. The surface features prepare hard copies of the intended graphics. There are different types of plotters all that function differently. The first is the pen plotter that has a pen like feature for making the drawings of high accuracy. According to Eiteljorg (2003, 62), the pen’s accuracy even supersedes the accuracy of the projections made on the CRT screen. There are also the hard copy units that make print images of the projections on the CRT screen. The third types of the plotters are the Computer-output-Microfilm units that are purposed for the reproduction of images on microfilms as opposed to large drawings on cards. Lastly, there are the electrostatic plotters that compensate for their poor resolutions and accuracy with a high speed. Configuration of the Plotters The configuration of plotters must be done on non-default settings. To correctly configure the settings, Autocad is used to preserve the plotting device’s information in the PC3, which is a file of a configured plot (Grover and Zimmers 2006, 78). The maintenance of such configurations in a single driver or model ensures that the plotter can be shared on a project. However, Taylor and Russell (2002, 77) explained that shared plotters should be calibrated and the resultant information stored in the PMP (Plot Model Parameter) in which the PC3 files can be attached to further bolster performances. Plotters can also be autoconfigured using the AutoCAD that stores multiple pieces of information for configuration in a single device. Taylor and Russell (2002, 77) elaborated that to facilitate autoconfiguration, several PC3 files should be created and connected configured with the plot dialogue box. Secondary Storage These are magnetic tapes and disks that store information thereby reducing the cost of investing in the main computer storage (Shah & Mäntylä 1995, 65). They serve majorly in drawing files and engineering CAD software for temporary files (Radhakrishnan, Raju & Subramanyan 2008, 45). The secondary storage’s uses are always targeted for the Cad database and the CAD system. Configuration To configure secondary storage devices, the NFS, SAN, and SMB must be accurately mounted. Each of them should also have specific directories to the secondary storage location. Lastly, the secondary storage device should then get mounted on its location on the CPU. CPU This is a minicomputer credited with the functions of executing the system’s mathematical computations that are used to develop the graphics (Shah & Mäntylä 1995, 65). It also manages the design workstations and the plotters thereby coordinating the system’s functions in entirety. Configuration of the CPU The configuration of the CPU is guided by the RAM which serves as its memory and the motherboard which the pathway for communicating the system’s prompts. The system’s memory is fitted into the RAM in a way that it can only operate in a one-way slot (Dimarogonas 2001, 37). After aligning the CPU’s motherboard with the RAM, the CPU’s modules should install themselves. Design Workstation The design workstation is the outlook of CAD system organized to coordinate and improve the system’s functions. Configuration of the Workstation The configuration of the workstation involves organizing the components of the CAD system in the most convenient layout. According to Eiteljorg (2003, 68), before configuration of the workstation, it is paramount to consider the system’s features. These are inclusive of the motherboard and other processing units in the CPU, the RAM, and plotters. Configuration starts with the alignment of the CPU to coordinate and work together with the plotter and the memory storage devices. Besides, all operating input devices like the keyboard terminals and the tracker balls should be aligned and connected with the CPU (Taylor and Russell 2002, 73). 3. Finite Element Analysis Finite Element Analysis, FEA, is a computer model made from stressed refined materials that are conditioned to produce specified results. According to Dimarogonas (2001, 45), FEA’s use is more prominent in new designs and in the refinement of existing products. The device’s development is such that determinations should be made to ensure that it can acutely meet the clients’ specification. FEA’s Uses and Applications As has already been illustrated above, the device is prominently used in refining the performances of mechanical and electrical products. The modifications that are made on products through the application of FEA have always targeted at the condition the products for new service conditions. Besides, it can also get used to correct structural failures by determining the design modifications that would be executed to serve in conditioning the product for new performances/conditions (Eiteljorg 2003, 51). According to Radhakrishnan, Raju, and Subramanyan (2008, 56), there are majorly two types of FEA; the 3-D and 2-D models. The 2-D models are always used to maintain simplicity while improving analysis on normal computers. Nonetheless, it has less accurate results as compared to the 3-D models that sacrifice the ability to run on slower computers in a bid of bolstering their accuracy. Programmers insert algorithms that improve the linear functions of the system when using either model of FEA. That is because the linear systems have less complexity and cannot suffer from plastic deformations. In the event that this is not done and the system functions as a non-linear system, the resultant plastic deformation can consequently lead to fracture (Wang 2004, 89). How FEA Works The FEA has a system that projects into nodes and meshes. As Dimarogonas (2001, 39) described, the mesh is used preserve the structural and material properties that of the structure. To realize this function, the meshes are programmed and assigned to achieve a given wavelength of density, a factor that is also determined by the stress levels of the subject location. Ideally, the regions that always have high-stress levels are programmed and designed to have increased density as compared to the regions with reduced stress levels. In his authorship, the Advances in CAD, Wang (2004, 36) illustrated that the spider web-like structure of the mesh ensures that the nodes within the mesh can extend their currents to each other in a uniform vector. The FEA system always has a wide range of variables that factor into its minimization and maximization. These are inclusive of temperature, volume, and mass. The other variables are strain levels, acceleration and velocity, and its synthetic nature. There are also numerous loading conditions that considered in their development. These include pressure, gravity, enforced displacements, and the heat flux convections (Eiteljorg 2003, 62). Besides, the FEA programs always have element libraries made up of rod, beam, plate, solid, shear panel, rigid, and mass elements. These also serve it conditioning it to improve the product’s performances by capacitating its use in several materials inclusive of isotropic and orthotropic materials. The Advantages and Disadvantages of FEA Advantages The first of FEA advantages is hybridization that defines its ability to meet several functions that vary in complexity and over limited durations. This technique of operation was described by Dimarogonas (2001, 37) as static condensation and is also the reason for which the system can improve the performances of other products. The second advantage is defined its capacity to enable variable approximation, a factor that results from its numerous optimal modes. This projection is an improvement to the previous commitment of changing the entire systems whenever there are necessities for using a different type of approximation order (Wang 2004, 36). Lastly, there are the flexibility advantages that result from its inhomogeneity, complex geometries, and boundary conditions. Disadvantages The first disadvantage that can be derived from the use of FEA is pollution. This results when the reaction term (R(q) = k*q), has a big K as opposed to the small k. This results into pollution errors that are indicated in the Helmholtz equation. The other disadvantage is that that defines parallelism; sparsity patterns that are unstructured and do not coordinate the FEM codes. This results into discontinuous FEA remedies (Radhakrishnan, Raju & Subramanyan 2008, 56). References List DIMAROGONAS, A. D. (2001). Machine design: a CAD approach. New York, NY [u.a.], Wiley. EITELJORG, H. (2003). CAD: a guide to good practice. Oxford, Oxbow. GROVER, M. P., & ZIMMERS, E. W. (2006). CAD/CAM Computer-aided design and manufacturing. Delhi, Pearson Education. RADHAKRISHNAN, P., RAJU, V., & SUBRAMANYAN, S. (2008). CAD/CAM/CIM. New Delhi, New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers. SHAH, J. J., & MÄNTYLÄ, M. (1995). Parametric and feature-based CAD/CAM: concepts, techniques, and applications. New York ; Toronto, J. Wiley. TAYLOR, G. E., & RUSSELL, G. (2002). Algorithmic and knowledge based CAD for VLSI. London, U.K., P. Peregrinus on behalf of the Institution of Electrical Engineers. WANG, P. C.-C. (2004). Advances in CAD/CAM Case Studies. Boston, MA, Springer US. Read More