It started in the 1980’s. A new parametric component modeller, Pro/E, became very successful and evolved into a so called ‘assembly modeller’.....Then most of the rest of the CAD software industry copied it. That is how the ‘Solid Muddle’ started.

• The Solid Muddle:-
  Designs must be made from single components each modelled in its own separate file
  All designs have to be constructed using 2D constrained ‘parametric sketches’
  Working in 3D space involves working in 2D on confusing ‘workplanes’
  Working in fully shaded mode is impractical, because of speed issues
  Severe difficulties occur in making late design changes, due to constraints and feature order

With these 1980’s style ‘solid muddlers’, the designer sketches in 2D on workplanes, usually with confusing wire frame images. He constantly grapples with the distraction of whether he has too many, or too few parametric dimensions and constraints. Because he can only work on components in isolation, he also has the chore of constantly switching between multiple files to pick up, and check on, geometry of mating parts. At the same time he must bear in mind each part’s constraint relationship with another. He must constantly pay close attention to the feature order because he knows if he has to make an unexpected design change at a late stage, he might have to start all over again!

In the ‘Solid Muddle’ instead of concentrating on design issues, the designer can become pre-occupied primarily with modelling issues. This is not conducive to good design.

IronCAD solves the Solid Muddle
Designs are best conceived as a whole...
The assembly drawing, ideally 3D, defining each parts’ relationship with the other, is the best starting point in any design process. With IronCAD you can build up all parts of the 3D model, in 3D, within a single file. Making parts into an assembly, or sub assembly, is a single IronCAD command. The unnatural ‘bottoms up’ design process, where parts have to modelled in a separate files, is thus eliminated. Designs are conceived as a whole, with less work, less errors, enabling a faster, more natural design process.

There are better alternatives to parametric sketches...

How about constructing your model from fully rendered 3D shapes, dragged and dropped from an on-screen catalogue? Intelligent shapes that union themselves together, or subtract material automatically? How about equipping each shape with handles which you can pull and push, to accurately re-size, independently of mating shapes? It’s a new and unique way of working. In most cases IronCAD’s drag and drop modelling makes 2D sketches redundant, although IronCAD has fully featured parametric modelling too, if you need to design families of parts.

IronCAD’s Tri-Ball , “The most useful tool in the History of CAD”
That’s what the USA’s influential CAE magazine called IronCAD’s unique patented Tri-Ball cursor. The Tri-Ball positions and orientates anything. It can move it, rotate it, copy it, mirror it, whether it be parts, assemblies, 2D sketches, animation paths, holes, features, decals or loft profiles. It completely solves the problems of working in 3D space.

Work confidently in fully rendered 3D
IronCAD has its’ own inbuilt fully photorealistic rendering and animation. It’s on all the time! So, you work faster and more confidently, free of confusing wire frame views. If aesthetics are important to you, get instant visual feedback as your design evolves.

Make modifications at any stage of the design even on imported parts
You can tweak sizes, by pulling on shape handles, edit blends and tapers. You can unlock parametric dimensions and constraints, make alterations and lock them again. You can also ‘direct face model’ to make changes to anything, even imported parts, at any stage in the design process. With IronCAD, unlike other parametric modellers, you are never locked in.

Superior Modelling Capability
IronCAD is the only solid modeller equipped with both ACIS and Parasolids modelling kernels working together. Thus, parts can contain features which can be modelled by one kernel, but not the other, making IronCAD more powerful than modellers which use single kernels.

Value for Money Modelling
You won’t pay extra for photorealistic rendering and photorealistic animation, because it’s built in as standard. So is a sheet metal module, and a Bill of Material. With excellent 2D draughting, and 2D drawings created by, and updated from the model, IronCAD is a complete solution. IronCAD has the widest range of inbuilt translators of any mid-range modeller, and you can turn imported parts into solids and make alterations to them. Finally, publish your design on Ironweb so that colleagues, customers and suppliers can view the design, without having to purchase IronCAD.

IronCAD is a cost-effective, full-featured detail design production tool for 3D designers that need to spend more time creating and less time working the software. It utilizes an innovative, drag and drop design approach that lets you complete your job easier and faster than you ever thought possible. IronCAD is a refreshing alternative to today’s constraint based parametric systems that brings the word “FUN” back as a way to describe the 3D design process.