This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Cuatro tendencias en el software/hardware de diseño
Jon Hirschtick has more than 25 years of experience in the world of the mechanical CAD. He founded, together with five characters, SolidWorks in 1993. It has been the CEO of the company until 2001, and is currently a consultant of the management team. When he took part in the daily plenary session of SolidWorks World, far do retrospective, made clear that "every day is the day", that "we must continue changing things" and that "the past does not matter". In addition to showing us his experiences visiting customers (New Balance and Sony Ericsson, to be precise), expressed their views on various trends on how we interact with the design software.
The user interfaces will incorporate contact and movement
At the moment, most of the interaction between a designer and the design program is usually done by means of a mouse and, both insofar as possible, using the keyboard. However, there is already a good number of electronic devices for everyday use that incorporate motion sensors. For example: an iPhone has accelerometer which allow you to know if you are using in vertical, horizontal, position or inclined. The nintendo wii is monitored by a remote control that recognises its position and orientation. Graphic tablets (such as the Wacom) have been using for a long time for graphic designers. Finally, some companies such as 3D Connection produced "3D mice".
Jon Hirschtick, during his speech at SolidWorks World 2009.
Jon Hirschtick believes that touch screens are going to join the used for the CAD interfaces. According to him, he will be able to design using the fingers, by clicking and dragging, and using different movements to carry out different actions. The contact and the movement of the fingers is going to be another way to interact with computers in particular, and with CAD programs in particular; In addition to the contact, and movement of the mouse.
SolidWorks Labs has developed some concept tests using the touchscreen to perform drawings (in two dimensions, for the moment). In the area of exhibition of SolidWorks, were two booths showing the use of the system. The truth is that two fingers to be used as a compass is a very intuitive way to draw an arc of circle. Probably end up having practical applications to perform sketches. In my opinion, to get to the 3D CAD, lacks it precision. We have too thick fingers.
Through a touch screen, it is already possible to draw in two dimensions.
The use of applications on line will increase
It is quite easy to program (or programs) that you use to send, receive and manage your e-mail address is not anything other than a web browser. Similarly, if a few years ago telebanca applications were programs that were unloaded and installed on a computer, now work (almost all) with a web interface. The management of the calendar, journal and calendar it is possible to make them online. And Google Apps has dared to set up a spreadsheet and a word processor.
Web applications have some clear advantages: there is no to install them, or to update them, nor backup (it is assumed that someone somewhere did makes them). And a clear difference: can be used almost anywhere, and by several people at the same time. Collaborative bias, is therefore guaranteed by concept.
Following this line, SolidWorks is already experimenting with blueprint now, a tool to make sketches and drawings 2D from the web.
Design programs will be provided the technology of video games
Until some years ago, if you are looking for the best graphic system had just been found on any workstation (such as the of Silicon Graphics), whose main objective was the CAD. Currently, the capacity calculation of a PlayStation and graphic her probably exceeds.
Video games are simulations of physical systems absolutely credible (with movement, inertia, contacts, collisions,...). Many systems design, not. Video games are three-dimensional animations with photographic quality. Many systems design, not. Video game programs tend to have an architecture of parallel, like most of the hardware on which they run. Many systems design, not.
If to this we add the fact that many graphics cards have more power than the CPU of the computer on which they are installed, is predictable, according to Jon, every day used more technology originally used in video games, in CAD systems. According to him, if until now the power of a computer was basically measured by means of your CPU, your memory capacity and your graphics card; soon the two basic parameters will be the speed of internet connection and hardware games you have.
The use of the "printed" prototypes in 3D will increase
At the moment, it is possible to prototypes of different plastics processes of Stereolithography or the like, from a CAD model, with a highly complex and in a short time. It is possible to add colors in the manufactured part. 3D printers are beginning to have affordable prices (in function, course, volume of prototypes is done).
New Balance use them to design the soles of his sports shoes. Sony Ericsson to design their mobile phones. And those responsible for the printing in 3D of both companies have explained, live and direct, uses that give them. Two figures well summarized the case of New Balance: 100 models per month, with a number of features typical of 1,500. Sony Ericsson starts to make prototypes in 3D after the first 3 or 4 hours of CAD design. We must quickly if the size and the proportions of your phone are correct, if it is ergonomic and comfortable. The result: 4,000 prototypes a year.
Jon Hirschtick so brilliantly summed up: "If now said, ' is not, not a photograph;" We have printed with the CAD program ', from now will have to say 'Yes, it is a photograph, we have made to the printed 3D model'"."
A collection of parts manufactured by 3D printers.
En el actual ciclo histórico de transformación en el umbral de la cuarta revolución industrial, algunas empresas están haciendo un uso intensivo de la tecnología de plataformas
![A 3D, "e;hands-on"e;, printer printing in multiple colors](https://img.interempresas.net/fotos/231421.JPEG "A 3D, "e;hands-on"e;, printer printing in multiple colors")
