Solid Modelling

Solid modelling is the representation of the solid parts of objects suitable for computer processing. Other modeling methods include surface modelling which is used extensively in automotive and consumer product design as well as entertainment animation, and wire frame models.
The primary use of solid modelling is for cad, engineering analysis, rapid prototyping, computer graphics and animation, medical testing and product visualization.

Processes
-Sweeping
-Boundary representation
-Parameterized primitive instancing
-Spatial occupancy enumeration
-Cellular decomposition
-Constructive solid geometry
-Function representation
-Feature based modeling
-Parametric modeling
-Facet modeling

More About
Solid models consist of groups of features, added one at a time, until the model is complete. Engineering solid models are developed with sketcher-based features; 2d sketches that are swept along a path to become 3d such as cuts or extrusions.
Another type of modeling technique is free form surface modelling where surfaces are defined, trimmed and merged, and filled to make solids. Surfacing is more difficult, but better applicable to some manufacturing. Solid models for injection molds have both surfacing and sketcher based features

Computer Animations
Computer Animations of computer generated characters is an example of parametric modeling. Character skins are modelled with Nurbs patches and stitched together to create polygon models. This skin is then connected to a skeleton within characters. The skeleton of the character is rotated into positions which drives the movement of the characters during each frame to create animation.

Parametric Solid Modeling softwares:
Alibre Design
Top Solid
Solidworks
SolidEdge
Pro E
Catia

Related Terms

Concept Design
Invention Drawings
Package Design
Proof of Concept
Marketing Analysis
Invention Prototyping
Digital Presentation
Computer Aided Design
Computer Aided Engineering
Computer Aided Manufacturing
Finite Element Analysis
Motion Simulation
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Advertising
Technology Lifecyle