4 Must Have Resources in Your Architectural Design Arsenal

4 Must Have Resources in Your Architectural Design Arsenal

No matter your industry, if you’re designing the plans for something that needs to be crafted in the physical world, you need a special set of skills and tools to accomplish that task efficiently.

Many industries rely on computer aided design (CAD) programs to design a 3D model prior to producing real-word products – game developers, media creators, animators, marketers, and architects, etc. Although these industries are different, they all share a universally applicable list of skills and resources to see their projects through to completion.

If you’re digitally designing the blueprints for something to be produced in the physical world, here’s a breakdown of 4 of the most important skills and resources you’ll need (in addition to technical skills):

  1. Imagination

Your creation can only be as detailed as you dream it to be. Every aspect of your creation depends on your ability to imagine the possibilities of what it can be. You are the designer, after all. When you’re designing for other people, you have to be able to imagine the possibilities from their point of view.

If you’re in need of inspiration, look no further than CAD Crowd. This blog will keep you inspired for days on end, especially if you’re into technology. Their members showcase all kinds of models like pump systems, medical tubes, and even LED picture frames.

  1. A 3D CAD program

If you’re used to using 2D CAD programs, you may want to seriously consider switching to 3D. In addition to being able to print your models with a 3D printer, did you know that 3D CAD programs like Yepsketch are much more powerful than 2D, and can actually aid in solving real-world problems? These 3D programs are useful for more than just creating physical models.

In 2010, when 33 Chilean miners were trapped, engineers used 3D CAD software to engineer a solution that cut nearly three months off the estimated time it would take to complete the rescue. At one point, the drill hit a metal rock-bolt support and drilling slowed way down. So, they used the 3D software to engineer another solution – it helped them redesign the bit to become stronger by thickening the space between the carbide buttons.

Architects also used 3D CAD solutions to renovate Duke University’s steam plant to end an 80 year dependency on coal. By converting the steam plant to gas to heat more than 7 million square feet of facilities, the university eliminated the need to burn more than 50,000 tons of coal per year.

The difference between using 2D and 3D CAD software is vast, and if you haven’t yet switched, now is the time.

  1. Focused vision

Vision is more than imagination, it’s the driving force that keeps you moving forward and on track with your project. When you’re creating, there will no doubt be obstacles and circumstances that will pop up from time to time that will require you to solve difficult problems and engineer solutions. It’s vision that will carry you through these challenging times.

  1. Access to online resources and tutorials

When you’re a creative person and use online tools, you have unlimited possibilities – provided you know how to use your tools to their maximum capacity. There are people who have used programs like Photoshop for hours on end, every day since it was first released in 1987 as its predecessor called “Display.” Even with all of this experience, users know there is still much left to be mastered.

Tutorials are highly effective and help creative people fill in the gaps where their experience falls short, and that’s why people take the time to create tutorials for accomplishing specific tasks. These tutorials are sometimes written guides with screen shots, but many are created as videos. If there’s something you need to do but you lack the knowledge, Tutorialized.com is one of the best spots to find tutorials for all the popular software programs covering a wide range of tasks. You can likely find exactly what you’re looking for.

A 3D Revolution has begun

The world of 3D modeling is already revolutionizing the world, and if you’re working on a creative project in this arena, you have the potential to create magic with your designs. Every architectural designer needs this technology on hand if they want to create something wonderful in the world.