When do you need Subd?
Like most other tools or techniques, subd is good at some types of work and not so good at other types. For example, you might do well to make sheet metal or weldments using some other method. Subd just doesn’t go there. Machine design, prismatic parts, standard off-the-shelf components are better made with some other technique like synchronous technology for example.
The obvious usage of subd modeling is for organic curvy models. And it might be even more specific than that. The more complex the curvature, the more likely it is that you can use subd methods.
There are some borderline situations, such as curvy models where the curvature is very controlled, like tubing, or any features that benefit greatly from the control of a sweep feature, for example. Maybe even a model where you really need to drive complex geometry with numbers, like complex engineered surfaces (hydro/aerodynamic shapes)
There are several places where you really should use subd because of either the time savings or the added flexibility of shape control:
- Organic swoopy models
- Concept models, where you don’t really want to invest a lot of time, but still need to communicate shapes
- Models used for illustration, examples, or 3D props for renderings
- Models that only partially need subd – remember you can use history-based features in the same model as subd features.
You might remember if you’ve read some of the articles I’ve written about Synchronous Technology, that if you choose to use Synchronous, you never have to leave other modeling methods behind. Within Solid Edge, you can make the first part of your model with Synchronous, and then make the rest of the model with Ordered features.
Synchronous models are easier to edit than history-based models, and you can edit them in ways you could never imagine doing in ordered features. Subdivision modeling is not a direct analog to synchronous modeling, but it uses some of the same types of tools – synchronous for prismatic and subd for organic.
Subd in Solid Edge works the same way with the ability to hybridize your models, making the parts of the model that need it with the tools that do the job best. Even in Solid Works, you can use a partner product like PowerSurfacing to do subd modeling with the same sort of hybrid approach.
Regardless of which software you use, there’s a way for you to get involved with subd, and start using it where it will save your company time. As an individual, it also just never hurts to have an additional skill in your toolbox.