I'm almost afraid to say this, but if you disagree with '3D being the best way to design most objects' then you may have been living under a rock for the last decade.

I can almost hear the traditionalists loading their shotguns and climbing onto their horse's backs as I write this.

I'll admit that there are good designers about who still use traditional 2D design methods, I have heard rumors of some Formula One designers sticking to such methods, and if you are creative and insightful enough to be designing Formula One cars and would like to debate this point then please send me an email and I will humbly apologize for my ignorance. However, I could debate that such designers would be even more well utilized if they adopted an effective 3D format.

A personal experience I have witnessed of the transition from 2D to 3D design is with my father; he owns an innovative engineering company that designs forestry equipment. He has historically done all his conceptual design in 2D, and he did it well. He is very innovative and has come up with some very revolutionary ideas through conceptualizing and designing in 2D. However, I recently helped him to get started with 3D software, after the initial learning curve (this is the cost of any new software), he was away. Now he calls me up to excitedly ask if I know about such and such features that he has just discovered. Sometimes he even points things out to me that I didn't know about (very rarely).

My point is that the transition to 3D, although it involved a learning curve, has been, in his own words; "empowering" for my father. It has improved the efficiency of his design process and therefore his business to an immeasurable degree.

2D Is Dead:
To this end I would like to point out a short article I wrote on the quickly decaying battle between the 2nd and 3rd dimensions. It is entitled "10 Reasons Two Dimensional Design is Dead and 3D Modeling is the Future".

This link will take you to the article on Ezine Articles' website. Apparently I am now an "expert author" on the site (I think this means I have published one article there).

If the link doesn't work read the article here:

10 Reasons Two Dimensional Design is Dead and 3D Modeling is the Future

Just as the mighty pen has been superseded by the computer in drawing, 3D design and modeling has made 2D redundant.

To some this is painfully obvious, but to those who still need convincing, here is a list of my top ten reasons that there is no room for 2D design in the 3D future.

1. Anyone can understand it: Have you (or anyone you know) ever looked at a set of plans and weren't quite sure whether 'that' line should be 2.... or 10 meters into the page?
   With 3D modeling this is no longer an issue; real time rendering and shading affects allow 3D models to look very similar to what they would in real life, allowing anyone, from the experienced architect to the prospective client to understand exactly whats going on.
   It's so simple and self-explanatory, that they are now using 3D in schools to teach kids the design process. I remember sitting in my tech drawing class looking out the window at a 3D world and wondering why drawing that world had to be so boring.
   Kids these days don't know how good they have it.
   
   

2. We live in a 3D world: Everything we do in our day to day lives is in 3D. From pulling on your socks in the morning to making yourself a piece of toast; you are working, and thinking, in three dimensions. Therefore, your mind understands 3D better and is more productive when thinking in that format.
   
   

3. Its engaging: Imagine you are a builder showing Mr and Mrs Jones their prospective house plans. Chances are they can't visualize what all those lines represent. However, if you show them a 3D model and allow them to move it around (with the mouse, of course), virtually walk through it, judge the lighting from different angles, consider colors, consider what effect the sun might have at certain times of the day (....I could go on); they are much more engaged and excited about the project and therefore more likely to give it the go-ahead.
   
   

4. Mistakes are minimized: When a project has been modeled in 3D, there is a much lower likelihood of the designer/s being able to say; “Oh no, I forgot that bar would intersect that wall”, or something similar (insert your own experience here). This is because things can be considered from all angles in 3D. It also allows everyone involved to get on 'the same page' so to speak. This helps eliminate the; “I didn't know you were going to put that there”, syndrome.
   
   

5. The creativity process can breathe: Because we live in a 3D world, and our minds understand 3D (see reasons 1 and 2), the creativity process is unleashed when we design that way. We can put things together the same way we imagine them in our minds, and the same way they would exist in real life. Ever had anyone show you a 2D set of plans and say “imagine this sticks out so far”? Its difficult and it cramps your mind with unnecessary thought. With 3D we can spend less effort on the imaging side of things, and more on the creating side of things.
   
   

6. Its enjoyable: Its much more fun creating and seeing objects in a 3D representation, as opposed to working via flat lines on a page or screen, because your mind is used to thinking that way. Therefore, people become more enthused about a project, and enthused people are productive people. Not to mention the fact that 3D will make the project more satisfying for you too.
   
   

7. It's more versatile: You can't produce a photo-realistic rendering from a set of 2D plans can you? You generally can't produce a bill of materials from a 2D drawing. Creating a work order from 2D is slow, if not impossible. Can you 'walk through' 2D plans? Nope again. Yet 3D modeling ticks all these boxes and more. The format is simply more versatile.
   
   

8. It costs less than you think: Ever since 3D computer design has existed, the costs have been a major deterrent. But that is all changing. Online 3D modeling services provide very competitive rates and can work with you via the net. You no longer need to fork out thousands of dollars for 3D based software because services like these can do it for you at a very economic rate. This saves you the cost and learning inevitably associated with software.
   
   

9. It's fast: With modern software, models can be produced in hours rather than days. The software is more intuitive, less power hungry, more graphically pleasing (it looks better) and of course its faster. All this translates to less costs transferred down the supply chain, meaning you can deliver your part in the project at a more competitive rate.
   
   

10. Get with the program!: Three dimensional design is becoming the norm, in fact, many people are coming to expect it. Operators and businesses within the design/development realm that don't use 3D to some degree are making themselves appear out of date and inefficient. So step into the future and check it out for yourself.

If you would like to discuss 3D modeling with me, or would like to abuse me for my aforementioned ignorance, then drop a line to: ash@coastalconcepts.org

On a different note, the anti whaling boat and Sea Shepherd fleet member Ady Gil did eventually sink, while being towed, after I mentioned it in my blog several days ago. The boat (formerly Earthrace) was a fantastic machine and it is a sad loss, but we can be thankful no lives were lost in the collision. Sea Shepherd is attempting to take the whalers to court and the boat's namesake, Hollywood businessman Ady Gil, has stated that fundraising will go ahead to build another by years end.

All the best to Pete Bethune and the crew from Coastal Concepts!