Differentiation of Graphics Disciplines

Before describing what the TI application is, perhaps it would prove useful to understand what it is not.

Several distinctly different application categories are commonly confused with technical illustration:

• MCAD and drafting software
• DTP graphics software
• Visualization software

MCAD Design:

TI is not a mechanical design or drafting application. CAD/CAM software is used by mechanical engineers, designers, and drafters during the design and manufacture of products made up of discrete parts. Although blueprint data are appropriate for manufacturing operations, they are not the intuitive instructions needed for product installation, assembly, operation, or maintenance processes.

However, MCAD data—particularly 3D models—are very useful as reference within TI for producing the wide array of illustrations required in documentation to support the product life cycle. In the hands of a professional technical illustrator, 3D data are easily transformed into useful and accurate product views.

Therefore, TI complements CAD/CAM software through direct repurposing of existing 3D design data—by linking design engineering to technical documentation and further leveraging the technology investment.

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DTP Graphics:

TI is not a conventional DTP graphics and publishing application. DTP products are largely predicated upon freehand sketching tools, which are well suited for artistic rendering. However, DTP graphic packages typically lack the structure and precision of true axonometric and multi-point perspective construction and projection tools, which are cornerstones of technical illustration. Nevertheless, TI easily communicates with DTP software.

Once saved to the compact and high-resolution CGM artwork exchange format, intricate exploded view illustrations created within TI can readily be imported into popular desktop publishing applications for use in assorted publications.

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Visualization:

CAD/CAM has spawned another niche market: visualization and digital prototyping. Rendered 3D visualization, together with 2D viewing, analysis features, and collaborative tools, is employed to interrogate large CAD assemblies for possible design problems during digital mockup.

Animations are also used by engineers to simulate and evaluate manufacturing and assembly processes. And digital video, used with rendered models, animation sequences, and sound, provides for virtual product simulations.

These mediums certainly help tell the story visually during the product design phase, but they do not replace the illustrated and annotated product views—stored in a compact and portable vector CGM format—that are used to document the finished product for the assembler, service technician, or end-user consumer.

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