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Performing Process Analysis in the Autodesk Product Design Collection Part 1: Overview

In this first of several posts we are going to dig into what the Product Design & Manufacturing Collection has to offer in regards to analyzing how our products are made through their process.  Analyzing a process is very important when it comes to your business and is aimed squarely at helping solve two problems that can help increase productivity and understand bottlenecks.

1. Optimizing current methods by adjusting variables in the process.
2. Looking ahead for future planning such as adding a new machine or line or even another operator

Process Analysis vs. AutoCAD Material Flow

Essentially, we have two tools at our disposal to assist us with these types of challenges.  One of these tools has been with the Factory Design Utilities since about 2011 and hasn't been available to normal Product Design Suite customers until recent years when they were included in the Product Design & Manufacturing Collection.  This tool is nestled away in AutoCAD Mechanical or AutoCAD Architecture after the Factory Design Utilities are loaded.

These tools are quite rudimentary are are designed for very linear product progressions for analysis.  For instance, if a product can split to two machines or join into one station, or if there is a complex assembly of parts, this will not be an effective method of analysis.  Even in this routing below, there are multiple factors that play into the process, but a lot is ignored or averaged in order to obtain valid results and tends to be harder to explain or show to interested parties outside of engineering.  The tools use primary objects of Stations, Products, and Routing to achieve the results.  Actual placement in the drawing has no merit on the transportation time's analysis by the way as that data is inputted by the user.

A couple years ago, I did a class at AU on this very topic and nothing has really changed in the software since then.  So if this method does interest you or if you want to know more about this way of performing a Material Flow analysis for simple Transportation and Machine Utilization then check out the class here:

Download MA4496 - Go With the Flow

Download MA4496 - Go With the Flow - PPT

Now the second and much more robust way to analyze your processes was introduced just a few years ago as Process Analysis 360 which has since had the 360 dropped and is just called Process Analysis.  This cloud based software is also a standard entitlement for the Product Design Collection and even shows up directly in the AutoCAD Factory Tab as well as the Inventor Factory Tab.  Make sure you download it from your Autodesk account and have been given permission from your contract manager to use it since it is tied to your Autodesk ID.

This software was built from the ground up to do what the Material Flow tools could not.  This software will allow multiple inputs and outputs and even allow operators to move while there is downtime or finished processes on their machine.

The interface is pretty straight laced to figure out.  There is an Asset Browser used to place Assets from the Factory Design tools or your own custom library, a Settings Property Palette, a Simulation Timeline used to show real time or accelerated time flow, reporting tools for Line Efficiency and Cycle Time, and even old reliable...an Undo command.

We'll dig into these tools more in upcoming posts.  For now, make sure you have access to the software and start looking at some of the tutorials that are built into the launch window.

Next post on this topic we will discuss the 5 main types of elements and what they do for the analysis.  But before that, here's a little bonus.  You can bring in an AutoCAD background for your Process Analysis.  Do this to show rough estimations of where the process is being performed in a facility.  I recommend just wall outlines to keep it simple.  Ensure the View Settings are on and click Import New for a Background Underlay.

 

Funtime with Uncle Rusty - Rendering for VR - Stereoscopic Rendering with Autodesk Navisworks

Navisworks and VR Rendering

Most designers utilize Autodesk Navisworks to visualize and interact with their design before they commit to construction.  The digital mockup functionality of Autodesk Navisworks allows us to experience our largest designs with real-time fly-through and walk-through capabilities.  But, sometimes the flat “computer screen” interaction is not enough.  We want to actually step into our design and experience it as if we were actually standing in the digital environment we created. 

With the impressive advent of Virtual Reality this is now possible.  If you have the time and budget to commit to the project, you can utilize the advanced software supplied by Autodesk to load your Navisworks design into VR.  You could purchase a sophisticated and expensive VR rig complete with motion tracking controllers, a VR headset, and a beast of a computer to run it all.  But what if you don’t have the time or money to commit to the VR experience?  Don’t worry.  Navisworks offers a simple method to visualize your design in VR without missing a deadline or breaking the bank. 

Navisworks now allows you to render your design to a Stereo Panorama.  If that term is new to you don’t worry.  A Stereo Panorama is simply two spherical renders positioned slightly apart.  One sphere is dedicated to your left eye, and the other is dedicated to your right eye.  When you view this image through the proper optical headset, the effect makes your brain think you are viewing the design as if you’re actually standing in the model. 

Figure 1: A Stereo Panorama – Dedicated Rendering for Each Eye

 

Creating a Stereo Panorama with Autodesk Navisworks

To generate a Stereo Panorama with Navisworks is actually fairly simple.  You simply utilize the Render in Cloud command on the Render tab.  This will activate the cloud rendering dialog where you can define the type of render you want. 

Figure 2: Render in Cloud Command

Steps for Generating a Stereo Panorama:

• Navigate to the desired position in one of your Navisworks scenes.
• Start the Render in Cloud command located on the Render tab.
• In the Render in Cloud dialog…
  • Set 3D View to Current View
  • Set Output Type to Stereo Panorama
  • Set Render Quility to Final
  • Set Exposure to Advanced
  • Set the Width to the Maximum Value
  • Check the Email me option
  • Click Start Rendering
• Open the resulting render on Rendering.360.autodesk.com
• The Render on this page has a link to access the image on your smartphone.

Note:  This process does cost you some Cloud Credits but the result is really worth it. 

 

Viewing a Stereo Panorama – Google Cardboard

You don’t need an expensive VR rig to view these amazing stereo panoramas.  You only need to acquire a simple inexpensive Google Cardboard viewer.  The stereo panorama is viewed on your smartphone and your smartphone is inserted into the Google Cardboard viewer.  You can use an android or apple device, it works on both. 

The Google Cardboard viewer and your smartphone, allow you see your Navisworks design in clear 3D, as if you were inside the model.  The pan and tilt capabilities of your smartphone allow you to move and turn your head allowing you to view the 3D scene in every direction. 

You might be thinking that there is no way a smartphone and some cardboard goggles can deliver a virtual reality experience, but you will be pleasantly surprised when you try it for yourself.  To convey the quality and immersiveness of this experience in a simple blogpost is almost impossible.  But I will admit to being slack jawed the first time I stuck my face in this viewer and looked at one of my layout designs.  To actually (virtually) stand amongst the models I arranged and designed was a truly amazing experience.

Figure 3: Google Cardboard

Sharing your VR Experience

The Stereo Panorama can be downloaded or accesses via link from Rendering.360.autodesk.com.  If you need to share your VR experience, all you have to do is simply email the link to your customer or collaborators. 

Figure 4: Links to your stereo panorama can be easily shared with anyone.

Conclusion – What Are You Waiting For?

The VR experience is much easier and affordable to have than you think.  So Grab yourself a Google Cardboard viewer and get to rendering on the cloud.    

I have included a few links to stereo panoramas that I have created.  Enjoy!

 

Bottle Factory - http://pano.autodesk.com/pano.html?url=jpgs/24353576-5047-44b6-a3a3-84f4fcc15ce2

Factory Floor - http://pano.autodesk.com/pano.html?url=jpgs/effba9a7-c291-46df-b6f4-2a33ab10021a

Chess Board - http://pano.autodesk.com/pano.html?url=jpgs/d5e3b8d3-e46b-4bf5-8faf-aeb607116ca5

Exhibit Floor - http://pano.autodesk.com/pano.html?url=jpgs/d0db5129-1e66-401a-a583-891c05b3de8f

Sub Bridge - http://pano.autodesk.com/pano.html?url=jpgs/e369ac19-495d-493f-bf37-5f37c983f924

 

 

Inventor Fun Time with Uncle Rusty - Illustrated Views of your Inventor Models

Do All Your Renderings Look Alike?

If you have been working in Inventor for a while, you may have noticed that all your renderings tend to look the same.  I am sure they look great, but these days I am beginning to feel like one photo-realistic rendering tends to look like the next.  Sometimes I find myself reminiscing about the old days when an actual artist would take your design and develop a hand-drawn illustration depicting the final design.  This got me thinking how could we generate "old fashioned" illustrations from our modern Inventor designs?

First Stop - Autodesk Product Design Collection

Usually the first place I turn for any design challenge is Inventor and the members of the Product Design Collection.  There are so many options for image generation and illustrated views. But I was pretty disappointed with the results and the complex processes for generating illustrated views using the the collection tools.

AutoCAD -  I think my best results came from the AutoCAD "Sketchy" visual style, but it took a while to modify all the options to achieve an image.  I also had to print this image via AutoCAD to generate the graphic.

 

 

3DS Max - I used the preset Stylized setting in 3DS Viewport to generate an illustrated image.  3DS is usually thought of as the "King of the Hill" when it comes to image visualization.  Given enough time and effort I am sure I could have done better, but I really want a quick and easy process for generating hand drawn images.  

Showcase - I have always thought of Autodesk Showcase as a simpler and easier version of 3DS Max.  Showcase has some preset visual styles for illustration generation.  The one I settled on was called Toon Color.  My issues here are pretty simple.  The visual styles in Showcase cannot be edited and the results still look more computer generated than hand-drawn.

Autodesk Inventor - Ugh!  I hate to say anything bad about my beloved Inventor application, but the preset visual styles dedicated to Illustrations leave a lot to be desired.  I used the Water Color and Sketch Illustration styles for these images.  

Close, But Not Good Enough

As you have seen above, each of the Autodesk applications is capable of producing an image that is similar to a hand drawn illustration, but each falls short in one way or another.  All Autodesk illustrations have edge lines that are obviously generated by a computer and not a person.  Several of the examples above obviously appear to be computer generated.  In other words, they are too perfect.  These examples lack the hand drawn artistic touch that real sketch illustrations have.  I know these criticisms may seem harsh, but the point must be made.  When it comes to sketch illustrations, the Autodesk Product Design Collection comes up a little short. 

 

Going Outside the Autodesk Box

If our Autodesk applications are letting us down, where can we turn?  Don’t worry.  There is a simple and inexpensive answer to this issue.  Simply pull out your smart phone or iPad.  That’s right.  One of the most popular capabilities of smart phones and iPads is the conversion of photographs to hand drawn pictures.  Whether you are using an Android or Apple device, your app store is full of applications dedicated to this process.

For this example I will be utilizing my iPad and an application called Pencil Sketch 2.  I downloaded this app a few weeks ago and purchased the Pro version available as an in app purchase.  $1.99 in case you are wondering.  Of course, there are hundreds of photo apps that produce similar results.  You should feel free to explore as many of them as you like before settling on your favorite.   

 

The Process

The process for generating a quality sketch illustration from an Inventor model is actually quite simple.  You simply generate a screenshot or rendered image of your Inventor Model and transfer it to your phone or iPad.  Then you open the Pencil Sketch and import the image.

Process

• Open your Inventor Model.
• Orient your model to the desired viewpoint or position.
• Turn on the shadows and reflections as desired.
• Generate the screenshot / Publish the image.
• Transfer the image to your mobile device.
• Open the Pencil Sketch App.
• Import the picture.

This image shows the simple screenshot created from Inventor open in the Pencil Sketch app.

Options, Options, Options

Now for the fun part.  There are so many different kinds of sketch illustrations effects to choose from.  From a simple pencil sketch to a comic book illustration.  It’s all up to you and your artistic vision.  It is important to note that many of the Autodesk applications have Visual Styles dedicated to illustrations but many of them do not allow you to alter the style at all. That is certainly not the case here.

A few sketch illustrations examples are included below.

A360 and Pencil Sketch - Process

The process can be augmented allowing you to have complete control of the model position, orientation, and perspective all on your mobile device.    To do this you simply save your Inventor model to your Autodesk 360 account as a DWFx file.  There is an A360 application for your mobile devices that allow you to review your Inventor models on the go.  The app allows you to pose the model in any orientation and save a picture of the model to your camera roll.  These pictures are then imported into the Pencil Sketch app and converted to sketch illustrations. 

Process

• Save a copy of your Inventor model to DWFx.
• Upload the DWFx file to your A360 Account.
• Use the A360 app on your mobile device to view the DWFx file.
• Pose the 3D model adjusting the position, orientation, and perspective.
• Use the Snapshot option to save a picture of the model to your camera roll.
• Open the Pencil Sketch app and import the picture
• Adjust the settings to produce the sketch illustration.

Conclusion – What Are You Waiting For?

Sketch illustrations are still a viable method of communicating your design vision and they have never been easier to create.  Combining the 3D capabilities of the Autodesk Manufacturing collection and a simple Pencil Sketch app on your mobile device gives you the capabilities to easily generate any sketch illustration you desire. 

 

Video Link

 

 

 

 

 

Inventor Factory Tech Tip for iMates - Office Layout

Here is a quick tip for Inventor Factory Users for using iMates in their layouts.  In front of the tech tip is a great dataset done by our very own Rusty Belcher showcasing some of the great visualization tools included in the Suite in the Navisworks software.

 

Rusty Belcher: My First Time Presenting at Autodesk University

Guest Blog by Rusty Belcher, manufacturing applications engineer with IMAGINiT Technologies:

If you have ever submitted a class for Autodesk University, chances are, like me, you know the bitter feeling of rejection. Each year I get pumped up and think to myself that there's no way Autodesk is going to reject this topic, and every year I am crushed when I get the notice that my topic didn't make the cut. I mean come on! Who doesn't want to learn the extra stuff available when you type in -purge on the command line? I always feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football.

Imagine my surprise when, the planets aligned and my topic was selected this year. I'm sitting here at AU and I still can't believe it. Of all things, Using Factory Design Suite on Designs that aren't Factories. The actual title of my class is Don't Let the Word Factory Get in the Way. I'll be discussing the broader uses of FDS and how it can be utilized in design processes like Shipbuilding, Event Planning, Supermarket Layout, and even Circuit board Design.

So why would designers consider Factory Design Suite instead of Product Design Suite? There are many reasons. The Floor concept, central to FDS, is common to many designs where all the components land on a common ground plane or deck. The Asset based work flow, offered by FDS is almost a universal constant for every designer. And most important, the overall ease of use makes FDS a perfect digital prototyping tool for anyone, regardless of CAD experience.

I'm also getting a chance to work at our IMAGINiT booth on the exhibit floor. The IMAGINiT theme this year is You're Problem Solved. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit with our experts, in our interactive "engagement stations" where we will demonstrate how solutions can reach far beyond the software.

IMAGINiT is also sponsoring a contest on Twitter to discover your toughest CAD problems. From now till nov 30th, You can win a full conference pass to AU 2013 by tweeting your problem with the hash tag #mycadproblem.

You can check the IMAGINiT website for full details. Until this year my biggest CAD problem seemed to be not getting selected to present at AU, but my wife reminds me that there are others with worse problems. #CADWIDOW. So if you got rejected this year, don't give up. Keep trying. If there is something specific at AU, you would like to hear about, please drop me a line on the blog and let me know.