Modeling Example Added to Episodes Site

I’ve had a number of projects going on, mostly writing, but I’ve added a section to the Episodes subscription site on modeling this hand held device from ID sketches. The first section, which is complete, is just on modeling the shape and the overmold shape. It’s mostly about working from ID sketch input, especially when it’s possibly vague or incomplete.

I’m also going on to add another section on how to handle the Master Model requirements in a part like this. It will include splitting the part into top and bottom, plus the engineered features (draft, ribs, screw bosses, etc) inside, as well as some ways to work around models that don’t shell like text book models.

The thing about these example lessons is that you can pick up a lot of information that you don’t get in the definitions of the feature. Like Draft. Draft doesn’t always work the way you think it should. So you need to develop some alternate methods for adding draft to your part. Shell doesn’t always work like you want it to, so sometimes you have to manually force the issue.

If you expect the software to do the work for you, you probably need to find another line of work. I kind of enjoy it when I reach the limits of what the software can do, because that gives me a chance to show that I add some value to the project beyond the ability to push buttons.