In discrete manufacturing industries, 3D CAD software has become the accepted medium for designing products, tools, and manufacturing equipment. In process industries, 3D systems are increasingly employed in the design of plants and production systems. The explosion of 3D printing technology is bringing an increasing number of new designers into the market for 3D CAD software.
Although some tasks will always be done with 2D CAD, the number of first-time buyers of 3D CAD software continues to grow. Some of these buyers are new to CAD. Others are experienced CAD users and young engineering managers who have never participated in a 3D CAD selection process. This paper is intended to help 3D CAD shoppers identify what capabilities and characteristics are important to them and their organizations.
