This document discusses the pros and cons of using 2D versus 3D digital tools for concept design development. Some benefits of 2D tools include providing the same graphical representation as paper and enabling easier collaboration by sharing designs electronically. However, 2D tools are less suited to concept design exploration and difficult to use for prototyping. 3D tools help remove design ambiguity and facilitate sharing and design reuse, and are suitable for digital prototyping, but are intended more for detailed design work. The document promotes using an integrated 2D and 3D tool like Creo 2.0 to leverage the benefits of both approaches.

1. Digitalising your
concept development:
2D vs 3D

2. Moving to digital
Whilst 34% of concept design ideas are initially captured
on paper, a greater proportion are recorded electronically.
You know why you want to digitalise your concept
development process - the question now is
2D or 3D?

3. 2D Pros

4. 2D Pros
Same graphical
representation
• what you used to draw on paper is simply
drawn on a computer instead using a
keyboard and mouse

5. 2D Pros
Easier collaboration
• Once your concept is in electronic format,
you can share it quickly with colleagues
globally

6. 2D Cons

7. 2D Cons
Less suited to
concept design
• Most 2D tools are geared towards creating
engineering drawings

8. 2D Cons
Harder to explore
alternative ideas
• 2D softwares tend to focus on individual
drafting entities, rather than facilitating the
consideration of alternative design options

9. 2D Cons
Difficult to use for
prototyping
• Digital prototyping is unreliable
• Unsuitable for rapid prototyping

10. 3D Pros

11. 3D Pros
Removes design
ambiguity
• less misinterpretation
• reduces downstream errors

12. 3D Pros
Sharing is simple
• As with 2D, electronic sending is easy

13. 3D Pros
Easier design re-use
• Leveraging existing 3D models to evolve
into new concept designs is straightforward

14. 3D Pros
Suitable for digital
prototyping
• 3D modelling is highly appropriate for
rendings and simulation

15. 3D Cons

16. 3D Cons
Intended for detailed
design work
• 3D CAD applications are usually designed
for locking down the form and fit of final
designs, not capturing and maturing
concept designs

17. 3D Cons
Interdependences
and potential failures
• The risk of this is particularly applicable to
users of parametric feature-based
modelers

18. 3D Cons
Multiple files
• Many recent CAD tools deploy different
files for different design parts, when at the
concept development stage you are likely
to want just a single, whole representation

19. Did you know?
59% of respondents
recreate part of the design
because design tool formats
aren’t compatible?

20. Creo 2.0
An integrated solution
Harness the benefits of both 2D and 3D to
get your concept development job done –
then move seamlessly into the detailed
design phase.

21. Want to know more?
Contact us for more details on Creo 2.0 and
integrating your concept design processes
www.concurrent-engineering.co.uk/contact-us
0121 5069720