Ryan Stevenson: From Apple's Vision Pro to Freelance Engineering

Technical insights on browser-based CAD software As a professional Laravel developer and technical copywriter, I've had the opportunity to explore various solutions for creating immersive and interactive experiences in web applications. Recently, I came across JermCAD, a browser-based CAD software that promises to revolutionize the way we design and interact with 2D and 3D models. One of the key aspects of JermCAD is its focus on user experience and accessibility. By leveraging modern web technologies like JavaScript and HTML5, it provides an intuitive interface for users to manipulate and edit their creations without requiring any prior programming knowledge. This democratization of design tools has significant implications for industries where access to advanced software is a barrier to entry. From a technical perspective, JermCAD's use of Web Workers and the browser's GPU acceleration allows for rapid rendering and processing of complex geometric operations. Additionally, its built-in support for popular CAD file formats like OBJ and STL enables seamless integration with existing workflows. This flexibility has far-reaching implications for developers building web-based applications that require CAD capabilities. However, as with any new technology, there are potential limitations and challenges to consider. For instance, the use of JavaScript and HTML5 can introduce performance bottlenecks if not properly optimized. Furthermore, users may encounter limitations in terms of file size limits or compatibility issues when sharing their designs online. As a technical copywriter, I believe it's essential to highlight these complexities and nuances to cater to both developers and non-technical stakeholders. By doing so, we can foster a deeper understanding of the technology behind JermCAD and its potential applications. For those interested in learning more about browser-based CAD software or exploring similar solutions, I recommend visiting https://laravelcompany.com for resources, tutorials, and case studies showcasing the possibilities of this emerging field. #Technical #Web #CAD #LaravelCompany

Even though it’s not brand-new, Automatic Drawing Creation in Fusion continues to be one of the most quiet, powerful time-savers for design teams. Designers save around 40% of their drawing time; freeing them to focus on design decisions instead of repetitive documentation. https://lnkd.in/ggfBFZWF

The False Debate: AutoCAD vs. Hand Sketches There is constant talk about AI replacing human creativity, but can AutoCAD or automation ever replace hand sketches? A sketch carries the narrative of an architect’s hand, the spontaneity of an idea, and the emotion behind a concept. No software can reproduce that intuitive storytelling. AutoCAD, on the other hand, excels where sketches end. It brings structure, precision, and buildable clarity. The idea becomes measurable, scalable, and ready for execution. The two are not in competition. They are companions in the design journey. Hand sketches spark imagination; AutoCAD transforms that spark into reality. Designs reach their fullest potential only when creativity and precision work together. #designunfiltered #exclusive Please note: This is an AI generated image for reference.

AutoCAD comes equipped with a built in custom menu editor (CUI) and a built in AutoLISP editor (VLIDE). No new install for IT to do nor permission to use them required. Yes, there can be a lot to learn about both but once mastered you can create your own custom menu(s) and create your own buttons which automate repetitive tasks. No one else even needs to know how you became faster at your job. However, your co-workers might notice and say “That’s very cool, can I use it too?”. They might even ask for new things to be added. Before long word will get around and your simple task helpers become essential tools for the department. Then other departments find out and start asking questions. If you then find yourself doing more customizations than actual design work, congratulations, you’re now a CAD Admin. ;)

I’d like to share some comments about Drafter's automated drawing creation tool. TL:DR version - Well worth your consideration, right now, as is, and expect it to improve. I learned about Drafter a few months ago on Linked In. (Chris Barton is pretty good at marketing his product!) They claim they can create a fully detailed drawing in minutes instead of hours. Very intriguing but I was a bit skeptical. A few other engineers I talked to voiced similar skepticism. A few weeks ago, I saw a post on LinkedIn from a prospective customer who was very impressed with the tool and thought it was very worthwhile. Cutting to the chase, I arranged a demo. Here is a brief overview. First, my skepticism was based largely on unreasonable expectations. If I were to ask someone else to create a drawing of a part, I would spend a few minutes going over with them my design intent and what was important. Since I am willing to spend a few minutes of time with a person to make sure the drawing is correct, I should be willing to do the same with the Drafter software. Once you recognize that Drafter is not a mind reader, accomplishing what they set out to do is still impressive work but it is not wizardry or mind reading. The process: First bring your part into Drafter's stand alone tool and tell it some datums and other important things about your part. In the demo, that took a minute or two; your results may vary. Then, tell it to do its thing. Go get a cup of coffee or whatever and when you get back, it will probably be done. Review what it did, clean it up some, and send it back into SolidWorks for a little more cleanup. Other CAD programs available and in development. That was it. Pretty nifty, a huge time saver, and well worth your consideration. Some details. 1. It ain't cheap, it is a yearly fee, and there are no shared licenses. That will make it difficult for many to make the worthwhile leap. Chris seems open to negotiation. 2. What is coming in the future, is the ability to import assemblies instead of just parts, which will enable it do some design intent determination on its own but also let you define hole fits once instead of twice for mating holes.  3. If you create drawings with dimensions that can be modified and update the 3D model, you lose that capability. Among the few engineers I have discussed that limitation, the trade off for a very fast drawing is well worth it. Final comment. On my suggestion, the demo given for the company where I am contracting. The director of engineering wants to get at least one seat. Time to sweet talk the bean counters... Bert Uschold

What AutoCAD 3D Is Teaching Me So Far When I first opened AutoCAD 3D, it felt overwhelming too many tools, too many buttons, too many “how do I even start?” moments. But the more I practiced, the more I realized that AutoCAD 3D is more than just a design software. It’s a mindset shift. Here’s what it’s really teaching me 👇 Precision matters. Even the smallest error can change the entire outcome. Every line counts, every detail matters. Visualization is power. You learn to see things before they exist to solve problems before they happen. Engineering is art. You might not be painting, but you’re still creating something from imagination that’s creativity in its purest form. Working with 3D models has changed how I approach projects it’s helped me balance creativity with structure, and ideas with execution. And honestly? That’s the beauty of technology it teaches patience, innovation, and precision all at once. #AutoCAD3D #EngineeringDesign #WomenInTech #AdvanxisTechnology #STEM #LearningJourney 24/100

Most engineers won’t admit this… but AutoCAD is no longer the default choice. And the only reason most companies stay with it is simple: ✅ Habit ✅ Brand comfort ✅ Fear of switching Not performance. Not value. Not speed. Last month, I visited multiple engineering and architecture teams in Cairo. Almost all of them were struggling with the same issues: 📍 Slow performance on big DWG files 📍 Annual subscription renewals 📍 Lagging machines even with good specs So we decided to test something they weren’t expecting: ZWCAD vs AutoCAD, same PC, same DWG, same engineer. And the reactions were priceless. 🔍 What most teams don’t know: ✅ 1️⃣ ZWCAD opens large files much faster No freezing. No “Not Responding.” No wasted minutes waiting for drawings to load. ✅ 2️⃣ It’s a one-time license, not a subscription trap No yearly renewals. No budget pressure. No surprise increases. You pay once → you own it. ✅ 3️⃣ Full DWG compatibility with zero learning curve Your shortcuts still work. Your workflow stays the same. Your old files open perfectly. If you can use AutoCAD, you can use ZWCAD on day one. ✅ 4️⃣ Most “slow PC” problems are actually software problems Many companies spend thousands upgrading hardware… when the real bottleneck is the CAD engine itself. ZWCAD gives them the performance boost for a fraction of the cost. 5️⃣ And here’s the part nobody talks about… ZWCAD now includes AI tools This is where teams get genuinely surprised. ZWCAD’s new AI features actually reduce repetitive daily tasks, like: ✅ Smart selection based on object type ✅ Auto-layering and quick organization ✅ Drawing optimization with one click ✅ Intelligent command suggestions ✅ Faster cleanup and error detection Less clicking. Less manual editing. More focus on actual work. These small time-savers add up to hours saved every week, especially for teams dealing with heavy drawings. ⚡ The truth nobody says out loud: Most companies are paying more money to get slower performance just because they never tested an alternative. But the firms who switched to ZWCAD? They all say the same thing: “We saved money, we saved time, and we should’ve switched years ago.” 📌 Final thought If your team is still paying annual subscriptions and dealing with lag, you’re not just overspending… you’re losing productivity every single day. I recorded a real-time speed comparison (same PC, same file). If you want to see it, comment ‘Test’ below. The difference will surprise you.” #CAD #ZWCAD #AutoCAD #CADDrafting #EngineeringDesign #ArchitectureDesign #AECIndustry #ConstructionTech #TechInnovation #AIPowered #AITools #Productivity

ClassA surfacing for Design Studio Class A surfacing is the digital creation of high-quality, aesthetically perfect, and production-ready surfaces for visible parts of a product. It is a critical discipline within a design studio that bridges the gap between artistic concept and engineering requirements, primarily used in industries where aesthetics are paramount, such as automotive, aerospace, and high-end consumer goods. Key Characteristics and Function Aesthetics: Class A surfaces must be visually smooth, with flawless light reflections (zebra and highlight analysis) and no distortions, ensuring a high-quality appearance to the customer. Continuity: The surfaces have a high level of geometric continuity, typically G2 (curvature continuity) or even G3, meaning that where two surfaces meet along a boundary, their curvature and tangency align perfectly. Manufacturability: Unlike initial concept surfaces, Class A surfaces incorporate all necessary engineering and manufacturing requirements, ensuring the final design can be produced with specified tolerances, painted, and assembled. Visible Parts: It specifically pertains to the "A-surface," which is the exterior or user-facing surface that the end-user sees, feels, or touches. The Design Studio Workflow In a design studio, Class A surfacing often follows these stages: Concept Design: Industrial designers generate initial ideas, often using sketches or basic 3D models (sometimes called CAS - Computer Aided Styling). Clay Modeling/Scanning: In some cases, physical clay models are created and then 3D scanned into "point cloud data" for digital reference. Digital Sculpting: Expert surface modelers (digital sculptors) take the initial concept or scan data and refine it into Class A surfaces using specialized software. Collaboration with Engineering: The Class A team ensures the design intent is maintained while incorporating engineering feedback and preparing the surface for downstream processes like tooling and manufacturing. The process saves time by providing production-ready surfaces that engineers can use without rebuilding from scratch. Software Tools Specialized CAD and industrial design software are used to achieve the precision required for Class A surfacing, including: Autodesk Alias (Design, Surface, AutoStudio) CATIA (specifically with ICEM surfacing technologies) PTC Creo with the ISDX (Interactive Surface Design Extension) module (Credit information by google Ai) From the picture my first model for practice class A data and made by catia software(20 year ago)

Design Elevated: What’s New in AutoCAD 2026 By Cadalyst Staff Each release of AutoCAD brings refinements, including Autodesk’s latest release of AutoCAD 2026. Rather than sweeping UI (user interface) overhauls or major file format changes, Autodesk has zeroed in on accelerating workflows, tightening integration with the Autodesk ecosystem, and layering in AI (artificial intelligence) features that directly impact production efficiency. The result is a release that feels more intelligent, more responsive, and ultimately more valuable to designers alike. https://lnkd.in/eeVXGK42

From Idea to Requirements Every design begins with a question: “What exactly do we need this product to do and under what conditions?” Before opening any CAD software, engineers translate an idea into a set of Design Requirements. These are the measurable targets that guide every choice materials, dimensions, manufacturing process, and even cost. A good design isn’t born from imagination alone; it’s born from understanding the problem. The clearer the requirements, the smarter the design decisions become. Take a simple pen AGAIN for example. At first glance, it’s just a tool to write. But when you think deeper, requirements start to appear: Should it be light enough for long writing sessions? Comfortable to hold for different hand sizes? Refillable or disposable? Made from plastic, metal, or biodegradable materials? Each answer leads to a different version of the same product just like how a water bottle, a pair of scissors, or a mechanical mouse each exist in countless forms, because every user, environment, and purpose defines its own “right” design. In short: Defining the requirements well is half the design work done. In the next post, we’ll turn these requirements into a real concept where ideas start to take shape.