James Hartley

Check This for Part Series For PATENT APPLICATION GUIDE FOR AUSTRALIA AND DRAWING

Specification for the patent application

Drawing specification for the patent application

The overall appearance includes the shape, pattern, configuration, and ornamentation applied to a product to give a unique visual appearance. A design isn’t to protect the way a product works. But if you’re looking to preserve the way a product works is by distinguishing your business.

Moreover, a trademark distinguishes businesses from other traders in a visual way. A type of trademark is confused with a design in a shape trademark. It’s a three-dimensional shape used to distinguish the goods or services from one trader to another.

Your design IP rights:

To be entitled as an owner of a design, you must be:

• That person that conceived the designer, the employer of the designer who made the Design while working for you.
• The person contracted the designer to make the Design.
• That person to whom the designer assigned the Design in writing.
• Where two or more people own interests in a design, they must apply jointly.

The owner may be an individual, a company, an association or a partnership. However, if applying as a company, association or partnership, do not apply using a trading name or a trust.

The process for applying for registration of your Design involves several steps. One needs to ensure that you understand and complete each step to process quickly. There is a number of things before starting an application. 

What a design right gives you

Design registration intends to protect designs that have an industrial or commercial use. A registered design offers you, the owner, exclusive rights to commercially use, license or sell it.

What design is

A design comes with an overall appearance of a product. The visual features come with a form of Design that covers the shape, pattern, configuration, and ornamentation. A product offers something manufactured with ease. The mechanics show how a product works or operates that isn’t protected with the right Design. But it protects the patent that Few designs cannot be registered legally. It includes designs for medals, layouts with integrated circuits, Australian currency and scandalous Designs.

Eligibility – deciding who owns the design

• To be entitled as a design owner that offers:
• A person who conceived the designer.
• The designer’s employer, if the designer made the Design while working for you.
• The person who contracts the designer to make the Design.
• The person to whom the designer assigned the Design in writing.
• The two or more people share common interests in a design.
• The owner as an individual, a company, an association or a partnership applies as a company, association or partnership. They do not involve using a trading name or a trust.

Is my design new and distinctive?

• The Design adds new and distinctive to be registered.
• The new Design can be identical to any design previously disclosed anywhere in the world. It includes anything published anywhere in the world used in Australia.
• Distinctive is not to be substantially similar to the overall impression where any design disclosed anywhere in the world. It includes anything published anywhere in the world or publicly used in Australia.
• It supports an application stating how the Design adds new and distinctive, but this isn’t mandatory.

International design protection

If the application is filed in another country within six months of filing the Australian application, the date of your Australian application will apply to that country as well. The only case the country you use is a member of the International Convention.

One must prepare representations of the Design with complete forms and style needed by the foreign country.

Don’t publicise your design

It’s hard not to tell something about what you’re proud of or excited about, but one needs to keep Design a secret if one is looking to protect it.

For your Design to register to determine ‘new’ or ‘distinctive’, one can’t publish it anywhere in the world or publicly use it while applying to register it.

Design search

Before one submits a design application, they search for previously registered designs. It determines whether your proposed Design for new and distinctive is worth registering or not.

A search determines if a similar design is registered already.

Australian design search

Australian design search includes up-to-date information, including all applications and registrations from 1986. All registrations captured from 1973 to 1985 remain active in 1985.

One uses the search tool that helps determine who owns a design if you want to obtain a licence that uses the Design, buy the Design, or loan money to the owner of a valuable Design by taking a mortgage over it.

International designs databases

The European Patent Organisation and the United States Patent and Trademark Office hold the two largest international design databases.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) links to the sites of international IP offices.

Has the design been mortgaged?

The secured party designs all security interest mortgage records on the national Personal Property Securities Register. The register finds whether there is a mortgage over a design with no longer a legal securities register. It claims security interests that include mortgages available through Australian design search.

Seeking a search professional

An essential part of design search is interpreting the often-complex search results, and using these databases effectively is a specialised skill that can sometimes be time-consuming and costly.

If you need specific assistance, professional searches, or advice from intellectual property (IP) professionals and search firms, connect with us.

Drawings preparations:

Drawings and images come with essential design registration. The drawings or photographs include good quality and accuracy that shows the overall visual features of your design as applied to the product.

The requirements for representations

• There is no need for a specific view number. However, one must offer sufficient views with a full display Design.
• We offer traditional views and accept perspective or isometric views.
• The views show precisely the same Design. It mainly applies to colour. As colour usually adds a visual feature to the Design.
• The representations should be consistent enough to work properly if your application includes a statement for newness with distinctiveness.

Key points for drawings

• Drawings should be accurate, not sketches, and should work on A4 size paper.
• It should show the Design in question with no descriptive wording or dimensions. However, the labelling views come with ‘perspective view’ or ‘rear views.
• It uses broken or dashed lines when highlighting product elements that bear the design’s visual features. It covers the parts of the Design that refer to the newness and distinctiveness.
• It provides a pattern that applies to part of a surface, stitching and perforations features established in an environmental context.
• It covers shading and cross-hatching used as a visual feature of the Design.

Key points for photographs or digital images

Photographs or digital images should be in a clear form.

It should show the product against a contrasting background and avoid matter that’s irrelevant to the Design for A4 or mounted on A4 white paper.

Other details

It adds multiple design applications for each Design that indicates each Design showing a separate sheet.

Complex products

Sometimes a design applies to a part of a complex product that is readily assemble and disassembled from that product. Suppose the position qualifies as a product, then broader protection gains by defining it as a stand-alone part. As Australian Design and drafting, we help clients from Australia with patent design and drafting services. Our strict NDA agreement allows for protecting innovator rights. Contact us for more information.

This is 2 part series for patent application guide for Australia and Drawing specification for the patent application

Part 1: Patent Application Guide for Australia

Patent Benefits:

The protection provided by the Australian patent system is a major contributor to the success of new inventions and the millions of dollars in earnings that they generate.

Some of the benefits are:

• It gives you the right to stop others from manufacturing, using and/or selling your invention in Australia without your permission.
• It lets you license someone else to manufacture your invention on agreed terms or take legal action against people who are using your invention without your permission.
• It encourages Australians to continue their research, to develop new and innovative products, exploit new technology and promotes the transfer of technology to Australia.
• It gives our trading partners the incentive to provide similar rights and thereby protect our exports in markets overseas.

If you want to protect the way your invention works then patenting may be the most appropriate option.

If your invention is new, not publicly disclosed and has commercial potential, then you are ready to consider what type of patent will suit your needs.

Types of patents:

There are two types of patents granted in Australia – standard and innovation. You need to research them thoroughly before deciding which one suits your needs.

There are differences in the cost of the patents, the length of protection they offer, the time they take to process and the type of invention they seek to cover.

In order to have a patent granted on your invention, you need to file what is known as a complete application. Prior to filing a complete application, you can also file a provisional application. While a provisional application will not result in an enforceable granted patent it can be useful in establishing an early priority date.

Provisional applications

As a general rule, the priority date for your invention is the date on which you first filed a patent application that described your invention in detail. To get the earliest possible priority date on your invention, you can file a provisional application.

A provisional application doesn’t give you patent protection on its own (there are no ‘provisional patents’), but it’s useful in establishing an early priority date if you operate in a highly competitive industry where constant innovation requires you to get the jump on competitors.

A provisional application also gives you time to determine whether your invention is worthy of further time, money and effort associated with filing a complete application for a patent. It is also cheaper to file a provisional application than a standard complete application. You can read more information on time and costs.

Although the technical or scientific details of your provisional application are not published, we will publish details (the invention title and applicant name) in the Australian Official Journal of Patents at filing.

If you wish to claim priority from your provisional application you must file a complete standard or innovation application within 12 months of lodging your provisional application.

Remember – filing a provisional application on its own does not give you patent protection

All provisional applications lapse after 12 months. If you do not file a complete application associated with the provisional or file a  PCT application within this 12 month period, you will lose any priority that your provisional application may have provided.

Standard patent

the standard patent gives long-term protection and control over an invention. It lasts for up to 20 years from the filing date of your complete application (or up to 25 years for pharmaceutical substances).

The invention claimed in a standard patent must be new (novel), involve an inventive step and be able to be made or used in industry.

An inventive step means that the invention is not an obvious thing to do for someone with knowledge and experience in the technological field of the invention.

Your invention must differ in some way from existing technology, but the difference must have resulted from something more than the simple application of published information and/or standard background knowledge.

Before a standard patent is granted, the complete application has to be examined by IP Australia. Examination before the grant of a standard patent is mandatory and can take from six months to several years (depending on the circumstances).

Innovation patent

An innovation patent lasts up to 8 years and is designed to protect inventions that do not meet the inventive threshold required for standard patents. It is a relatively quick and inexpensive way to obtain protection for your new device, substance, method or process.

An innovation patent is usually granted within a month of filing the complete application. This is because there is no examination before it is granted.

The innovation patent requires an innovative step rather than an inventive step, to protect an incremental advance on existing technology that may not qualify for standard patent protection rather than a groundbreaking invention.

An innovative step exists when the invention is different from what is known before and the difference makes a substantial contribution to the working of the invention.

If you want protection for an invention with a short market life that might be superseded by newer innovations, such as computer-based inventions, an innovation patent is worth considering.

Important: Examination of an innovation patent will only occur if requested by the patentee, a third party or if the Commissioner of Patents decides to examine the patent. An innovation patent is only legally enforceable if it has been examined by us, been found to meet the requirements of the Patents Act, and has been certified.

Benefits of the innovation patent

• If it is examined and certified, the innovation patent offers the same level of protection as a standard patent in preventing others from copying your invention.
• Unlike a standard patent, you only pay to have an innovation patent examined when you need to stop others from copying your invention.

Limitations of the innovation patent

The innovation patent is granted without examination, which means the validity of the application is not verified by us. This may make the patent more difficult to sell or license until the patent has been examined and certified.

Also, you are unable to go to court to enforce the innovation patent until it has been examined and certified.

An innovation patent can only be applied for in Australia. You have to apply separately to other countries if you want to enforce the patents overseas.

Standard vs innovation patent

There are three main differences between standard and innovation patents.

• The innovation patent is a relatively inexpensive form of IP protection. It is quick and easy to obtain for inventions that have a short commercial life or that offer comparatively small advances over existing technology but which do not have the inventive step required to get a standard patent.
• The standard patent provides longer protection for inventions that have a longer development and commercialisation cycle. An innovation patent may be granted for the same subject matter as a standard patent but it has a shorter term of protection – 8 years as opposed to 20.
• It is not necessary to have an innovation patent examined before grant (or even at any time after grant). However, an innovation patent must be examined and certified before you can enforce your rights. A standard patent application must be examined and a patent then granted before you can enforce your rights. In both cases, a fee must be paid prior to examination. Failure to pay the examination fee results in the standard patent application lapsing or the innovation patent ceasing.

Can an innovation patent be converted to a standard patent?

You can convert an innovation patent to a standard patent application in the period before it is accepted, but you have to be quick. That’s because an innovation patent is accepted after a brief formalities check, which is usually within one month.

The quick guide to innovation versus standard patents

Applying for a patent can be a complex and time-consuming process.

We have outlined all the steps that need to be taken in order to ensure that the process is smooth.

1. Search patent databases, sales brochures and magazines to ensure your invention has not been created by someone else. If your invention was publicly known before you apply for a patent, you won’t be able to get a patent.
2. Decide which type of patent best suits your invention. You may wish to file a provisional application first; then decide between filing a standard, innovation or an international patent (PCT) application.
3. Once it is filed, your application is checked and published. Please note that fees are payable at different stages of the patent process. An innovation patent is checked to ensure it satisfies the formality requirements, then granted and published in the official journal. A standard patent is normally published in the official journal before the examination.
4. The examination is mandatory before a standard patent can be granted and must be requested by the applicant. An innovation patent will be examined if the examination is requested but this is not a requirement for an innovation patent to be granted. Examination of an innovation patent can only happen after it is granted. For either innovation or standard patent to be enforceable, it must have been examined. The examination can also be expedited for standard patents or expedited under the Global Patent Prosecution Highway (GPPH).
5. Acceptance and grant of an innovation patent occur if it has satisfied the formality requirements. It is then published as such in the official journal. If the examination is requested and found successful then the innovation patent will be certified and published once again. A standard patent application is accepted once it has been examined and is then published. The standard patent is then granted if it is not opposed.
6. Pay annual fees to maintain your patent. Innovation patents can be renewed for up to eight years and standard patents can be renewed for up to 20 years (up to 25 years for pharmaceuticals).

Some common problems

Many patent applications that are filed without professional help are not successful for one or more of the following reasons:

• The original patent specification, whether provisional or complete, does not describe the invention properly.
• The invention is not new because the applicant disclosed it to the public before applying for a patent.
• The invention is not new because the applicant disclosed it to the public after filing a provisional application that did not adequately describe the invention; i.e. the provisional application did not provide an effective priority date.
• The invention is not new when compared with things that are already known; e.g. it has been published in an earlier patent document.
• The application is for something that is not patentable, such as a principle or idea, rather than its practical adaptation.

Standard patent application process

Applications for standard patents are called complete applications. A complete application is necessary to actually have a patent granted whereas a provisional application provides you with a priority date and signals your intention to lodge a complete application.

The subject matter of a complete application for a standard patent needs to be new (novel), inventive, and useful. The term of the standard patent is 20 years.

The invention will be referenced against background knowledge in its technical field. This is sourced from common work practices as well as standard texts and handbooks, technical dictionaries and other material in the field.

To be eligible for patent protection your invention must:

• involve novelty (be new)
  • the invention has not been publicly disclosed in any form, anywhere in the world before the earliest priority date (the date at which the application is first filed)
• involve an inventive step
  • the invention must not be obvious for someone with knowledge and experience in the technological field of the invention

The process of granting a standard patent usually takes up to 5 years.

Filing the application

You can request a patent for your invention using eServices or by using a Patent Request form.

In order to keep the priority date of a provisional application, you need to apply for your standard patent with 12 months of filing your provisional. If you have a patent application overseas (a convention application) and want similar protection in Australia, you will need to file your patent application within 12 months of filing your overseas application.

Your application form needs to be accompanied by a patent specification.

Publication of details

Details (including the invention title) of the unexamined standard patent application (level AU-A) is published in the Australian Official Journal of Patents about 18 months after the application’s earliest priority date.

Published patent applications are made available to the public through our website and are sent to certain libraries and overseas patent offices.

The publication is an important step for two reasons:

• It sets the date after which anyone using your invention without permission is unlawfully infringing your patent. That is, once you have a granted standard patent, you can take legal action for any infringements that occurred on and after the publication date
• The contents of your standard patent application are no longer confidential. Your invention becomes part of the knowledge of the general public and may therefore subsequently assist in advancing industry and technology.

Note: Publication of a patent does not guarantee that the patent is valid.

If your standard application is accepted, the patent is republished as an AU-B level publication. If your accepted standard application is subsequently amended, it is republished as an AU-C level publication.

Requesting examination of standard patent applications

After a standard patent application is submitted you must request examination within 5 years of the filing date. Typically, after 4 years from filing your application, we will direct you to request examination if you have not done so already. You must request examination within 2 months of the date of this direction or your application will lapse.

You can request examination (either voluntarily or after being directed to do so) by completing and submitting a Request for Examination and paying fees.

Once the examination is requested you can normally expect a reply within about 12 months, depending on our workload.

After examination, either an adverse report or a notice of acceptance is mailed. If it is an adverse report, you will have the opportunity to make changes to your application to overcome the objections in the report.

In response to your changes, subsequent adverse reports may be issued until all objections have been overcome. Once all objections are overcome, your application will be accepted.

If no response is filed within 21 months from the date of the first adverse report, your complete application will lapse.

Similarly, if you have not successfully addressed all the issues in the adverse reports within 21 months from the date of the first adverse report, your complete application will lapse

Important: If you request an examination on or after 15 April 2013, you will only have 12 months from the date of the first adverse report to overcome the objections or your application will lapse.

Acceptance, opposition and grant of the standard patent

Once all objections in the examination report are overcome, your application for a standard patent is accepted. Before the patent is granted, other parties (opponents) have three months to start opposition proceedings.

The most common reasons for opposing the grant of standard patents are:

• the application is identical or very similar to another patent application
• the patent applicant is not the true owner of the application

The opponent must show that your standard patent if granted, would be invalid.

When an opposition is filed, the patent applicant and the opponent each have an opportunity to submit evidence.

A hearing is then held before a Hearing Officer, who decides whether or not the opposition succeeds. If the opposition is successful, the patent applicant is usually given an opportunity to amend their patent application to overcome the problems.

If either party disagrees with the Hearing Officer’s decision, they can file an appeal with the Federal Court of Australia.

Less than 2% of accepted standard applications are opposed, but if your application is opposed, you should consider consulting an IP professional.

If no opposition is filed and the acceptance fees are paid, your accepted standard application is sealed and a patent deed is sent to you.

What happens if I miss a deadline?

You may need to apply for an extension of time to restore a patent or patent application that has lapsed or ceased because you failed to pay a fee or take some other action in time.

For example, perhaps you have lost your priority rights because you did not file a complete application within 12 months of your provisional application.

To gain an extension of time you must explain in a declaration the chain of events that caused you to fail to take the action you should have done. You will need to pay any fees associated with your extension of time request and pay any unpaid fees (e.g. renewal fees). The outcome of this request will be assessed on a case by case basis. There is no guarantee that you will get the extension of time you requested.

Applications for innovation patents are called complete applications. A complete application is necessary to actually have a patent granted whereas a provisional application provides you with a priority date and signals your intention to lodge a complete application.

An innovation patent provides fast protection and is suitable for a device, substance, method or process that does not have the inventive step requirement needed to obtain a standard patent.

The owner of any new and useful invention that involves an innovative step can file an innovation patent application. The process to get a granted innovation patent is not as astringent a process as for a standard patent.

To be eligible for an innovation patent protection your invention must:

• involve novelty (be new); which means that the invention has not been publicly disclosed in any form, anywhere in the world before the earliest priority date (the date at which the application is first filed)
• involve an innovative step; which means the invention is different from what is known before and the difference makes a substantial contribution to the working of the invention

A simple formalities check is conducted to ensure your application is in order. Generally, within 1 month you’ll receive notification formally granting you an innovation patent (provided you with the filing fees are paid).

Please note that the innovation patent is granted without substantive examination. We do not assess whether the patent is valid, which may make it more difficult to sell or licence.

Filing the application

You can request a patent for your invention using eServices or by using a Patent Request form.

In order to keep the priority date of a provisional application, you need to apply for an innovation patent within 12 months of filing your provisional. If you have an overseas patent application (a convention application) and want similar protection in Australia, you will need to apply for your innovation patent within 12 months of filing your overseas application.

PATENT SPECIFICATIONS

The purpose of a specification is to describe your invention.

It should contain as much detail as possible, including:

• the technical features that are essential to the way your invention works
• the best way or ways you know of putting your invention into practice
• examples or drawings if they help describe the invention
• end with claims that define your invention.

You can search for examples of specifications online through AusPat. AusPat will allow you to search by filters including patent application number or accepted patent numbers.

Stay tuned for Part No. 2 Drawing specification for a patent application in Australia

Australian Design and drafting helping clients all over from Australia for patent design and drafting needs. We have a strict NDA agreement that allows protecting innovator rights. Contact us for more details.

Solidworks Electrical 2D and 3D

Create a fast and accurate design by using the electrical cabinet of ducts and rails for routing of wires & cables. It’s mainly used for mounting other components. It primarily represents 2D line art symbols and SOLIDWORKS parts in 3D. The 2D symbol is connected along with manufacturer data by using the database. However, the manufacturer’s database comes with several standard ones. Additionally, one needs to add a custom one and better applicable requirements.

If we look at creating a 3D part, it will adjust the length and profile dimensions which suit our needs better than stock size. Also, to begin with, several rules need to be observed, such as the ability of the software to make the adjustments depending on it.

Also, the base configuration is named EW_CONFIG. The name changed by default configured from “Default” to “EW_CONFIG” when the part is first created. The base sketch mainly uses the base extrusion named “EW_SKETCH”.

The base extrusion feature is called “EW_EXTRUDE”. The dimension for the base extrusion is known as “EW_DEPTH”. It is critical to make an adjustable length and use the Change Length command. In our profile sketch, the height and width of the profile should have their dimensions called “EW_WIDTH” and “EW_HEIGHT”.

It adds the format parts on insertion that need mate references named “throwback” with a single face. It mounts other parts and the top and front faces called “trewrail35”. They are mainly used to create the Electrical Component Wizard. Open a new position in SOLIDWORKS by setting the configuration name as “EW_CONFIG”. Also, create a 2D sketch and profile with dimensions for the height and width.

Solidworks Electrical 2D and 3D Services

1. SolidWorks Electrical 2D: This component of the software focuses on creating 2D schematics, wiring diagrams, and documentation for electrical systems. It offers a user-friendly interface with various symbols, libraries, and automated features to simplify the design process. Engineers and designers can easily draw electrical schematics and add information like wire numbers, component tags, and connection points. The software also helps in generating bills of materials and other relevant documentation necessary for the electrical system.
2. SolidWorks Electrical 3D: Building upon the 2D module, this part of the software allows users to integrate the electrical design into the 3D mechanical model. This synchronization between electrical and mechanical designs enables better collaboration between electrical and mechanical teams and ensures that the electrical components fit seamlessly within the overall product design. The 3D aspect helps in visualizing and resolving potential clashes or interferences between electrical and mechanical elements.

2D and 3D Services

Industries that benefit from SolidWorks Electrical include manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, industrial machinery, electronics, and more. It streamlines the design process, reduces errors, and enhances overall project efficiency.

As with any software, it’s essential to check for updates and new features beyond my last knowledge update in September 2021, as the software might have evolved or received new functionalities since then. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, I recommend visiting the official SolidWorks website or contacting their representatives.

Temporary outsource services for 3D CAD modeling are often required by manufacturing companies, during busy times. In this type of service, the manufacturers look for companies with CAD and 3D Modeling know-how along with someone who understand the way they do business, meaning a focus on Modeling, Assembly, Drafting, Die Design, Tool Design, Sheet Metal Design and analysis of products is priority.

Additionally, manufacturers require the CAD operators with whom they work to be able to integrate mechanical engineering into the CAD and 3D Modeling technology. Most often this requires additional knowledge of CAM. CAM refers to Computer Aided Manufacturing, and in this context is most often referred to in conjunction with CAD, i.e.; CAD/CAM. CAD / CAM is a term that refers to computer systems that are used to both design and manufacture products. CAM software is most often used for product development, machine-tooling, and manufacturing, and is another area that continues to demand expert 3D Modeling Services.

Often the organizations that utilize CAD/CAM technologies also require extremely high accuracy. Industries such as aerospace, shipbuilding and automobile manufacturers have stringent accuracy requirements. These types of designers/manufacturers employ manufacturing processes that use three-dimensional models to determine the viability and tolerances of their designs, and exceptionally high accuracy is required.

Residency Requirements

For certain Australian manufacturers, such as aerospace, finding an outsource company that meets certain bidding requirements, often including security-clearance or 3D modeling outsource services within the Australia requires additional vetting. Just being CAD experts is not enough!

One way to insure that the service you choose for 3D Modeling meets all of these criteria is to deal only with a CAD services company that has been awarded with the Quality certificate and who is authorized and certified by the Australian  Department of Defense for CAD Conversion work.   This certification ensures accuracy, company integrity and knowledge.

Software Requirements

While you may need proficiency in only one 3D CAD software program, when you choose a 3D Modeling company that is experienced in a variety of 3D programs such as Revit; SolidWorks; Catia; and any other specialty that your firm requires, you’re more likely dealing with a company that has a large knowledge base, many technicians, and the ability to address nearly any 3D modeling problem.

This type of high-quality CAD outsourcing and 3D Modeling services can help you reduce expenses, improve workflow, have a better-managed business infrastructure, be more competitive, profitable and successful.

Can Outsourcing 3D Modeling Services Help your Company?

If you’re struggling to keep up with deadlines, need higher productivity, and want to improve your bottom line, then your company may be a candidate for 3D CAD Model outsourcing. Using a Australia based company will help to ensure a positive outcome.  Staying in the Australia will help to reduce your worries about what will happen when you outsource CAD projects.

The internet makes finding CAD outsource companies easy. It may take you a bit more time to winnow out the off-shore companies, but it’s worth the effort. When you’re evaluating how to improve your company, consider how much time you’ll get back by outsourcing. Then, consider how much easier it will be if there’s no language barrier, no time difference and no worries about the way you do business. Make sure you ask if the company is based in the Australia!

Outsource your Drafting requirements to ASTCAD today and experience freedom from mundane recruitment, payroll or infrastructure related hassles.

If you were to outsource today, which drafting service would you prefer to start with? Have you outsourced  drafting before? If yes, how did it go? If you have a question on outsourcing or want to express your views, just leave a comment in the box below. We, at ASTCAD love to hear from you!

Paper Sketches to 3D Models – I’ve heard troubling talk over the use of sketches as a viable form of pre-design planning, and I’ve seen several experts, whose talent I respect greatly, make proclamations that performing a hand sketch prior to earnest software-based design work is a waste of time and energy.

The consensus seems to be that if you have the time to put pen to paper and sketch out a model, then you have time to sit down at your workstation, open up your CAD program, and start modeling correctly. I disagree. I think sketching out your ideas initially is a smart use of time.

First of all, it’s faster and easier than doing the same thing in software. Well, let me qualify that, it’s easier for me – maybe there are some hardcore CAD users out there who can model faster than I can sketch, but I don’t see how.

Paper Sketch to 3D Model

etching out a model before I start drawing lines in CAD helps me get the get a proper mental picture of whatever it is I’m modeling. As I sketch, I can flip the object around freely in my mind – and I know there’s no one out there who can CAD faster than I can think! This helps me out a lot when it comes time to actually start building the object in software, since I’ve already got a series of snapshots lined up in my head.

Also, one other thing… I hate to try and romanticize my work, but isn’t this exactly why we started doing 3D modeling in the first place? Speaking for myself, the process of taking an object from my imagination and seeing it through the entire modeling process, seeing it come to life, and then actually holding a finished model in my hand is a rush. I still remember the first thing I drafted – it was just some architectural widget that I’ll probably never see again, but I was amazed that I could actually hold in my hand something that had sprung from my imagination.

Paper Sketch to 3D Model Service for industries

Providing a “Paper Sketch to 3D Model Service” for industries can be a highly valuable offering, as it can bridge the gap between traditional design processes and modern computer-aided design (CAD) technologies. This service would involve transforming hand-drawn sketches or 2D drawings into detailed and accurate 3D models that can be used for prototyping, visualization, manufacturing, and more.

Here’s how such a service might function:

1. Submission of Sketches: Clients from various industries (e.g., manufacturing, architecture, product design) can submit their hand-drawn sketches or 2D drawings to your service. This can be done through a web portal or email.
2. Consultation and Clarification: To ensure accuracy and clarity, your team may engage in consultations with the clients to understand their requirements better. During this stage, any ambiguities in the sketches can be clarified.
3. CAD Conversion: After the initial consultation, your team of skilled CAD designers and engineers will convert the 2D sketches into 3D models. The choice of CAD software may vary depending on the complexity of the project and the industry-specific requirements.
4. Iterative Process: Feedback is crucial in this service. You should offer the clients the opportunity to review the initial 3D models and provide feedback for improvements or adjustments. Iterative revisions may be necessary to fine-tune the design.
5. Quality Control: Thorough quality control checks should be performed at various stages to ensure that the final 3D models are accurate, complete, and match the client’s expectations.
6. Delivery of 3D Models: Once the 3D models are approved, they can be delivered to the clients in their preferred format, such as STL (stereolithography) for 3D printing, STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) for manufacturing, or other industry-specific formats.
7. Optional Services: To add value to the service, you can offer additional features, such as rendering the 3D models for visualization purposes, creating assembly instructions, or integrating the models into virtual or augmented reality environments.
8. Data Security and Confidentiality: Since industries might be dealing with proprietary designs and sensitive information, ensuring data security and confidentiality is of utmost importance. Implement robust security measures to protect client data.
9. Pricing Model: Define a transparent and competitive pricing model based on factors like project complexity, turnaround time, and additional services requested.
10. Customer Support: Provide responsive customer support to address any queries or issues that clients might have during and after the project.

To market your “Paper Sketch to 3D Model Service,” reach out to potential clients in various industries, attend trade shows and conferences, create a user-friendly website to showcase your expertise, and consider offering trial projects to showcase the quality of your work.

Remember that accuracy, efficiency, and creativity are crucial in providing this service, as industries will be relying on your 3D models for their product development and manufacturing processes.

Paper Sketches to 3D Models Service

To me, sketching is the first part of that realization process, and the process of moving something out of my imagination and into reality is the entire reason I fell in love with 3D modeling.

MY position is that there are many designers who still respect the purity – even the artistry – of professional 3D modeling, and I happen to be one of them.

Contact ASTCAD for Paper

Sketch to 3D Model service…