ASCON and Carl Hanser Verlag Co-release New 'Design with CAD' Book

Includes free KOMPAS 3D modeling package for learning mechanical engineering.

ASCON Group, developer and integrator of professional CAD solutions, and Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, a well-known German technical publishing house, have presented their new book "Design with CAD," written in the German language by Harald Vogel, a technical journalist and an expert on computer-aided design. The book is designed to be an MCAD learning manual as well as a regular volume for everyday reading by those interested in the field of modern mechanical design. By perusing this book, readers learn about 3D modeling methods in general use by all of today’s mechanical CAD systems; by working through its tutorials, readers become expert in the field of parametric design.

For studying MCAD, however, suitable software is needed, which in most cases is not cheap. Our book solves the dilemma by including a full-function version of the professional mechanical CAD software, KOMPAS-3D V12. Readers may use all of the software’s functions for six months with no restrictions.

ASCON’s KOMPAS-3D solution combines all fundamental features needed for parametric 3D modeling, full-scale 2D design and drafting, professional tools for surface modeling, as well as photorealistic rendering, motion simulation, piping design, kinematic and dynamic analysis, import and export from other CAD/AEC/PLM solutions, and more.

About the Book

Part one of the «Design with CAD» book introduces readers to the basics of parametric modeling. Readers familiarize themselves with MCAD by designing simple geometric shapes, and then taking the most important step to finalizing the model: acquainting oneself with a basic body, and then constructing it.

Part two of the book trains readers in the use of tools that develop parts, which are completed with the «bottom-up» method. The tools include spatial thinking, Boolean operations, and modeling with variables, formulas and tables, as well as applying surfaces, curves, variant design, and external references.

Part three shows readers how to design a gear using the «top-down» method. This tutorial teaches how to formulate a construction timetable, create skeleton sketches, model parts with the help of other parts, add components, create subassemblies, and then bring them all together as an assembly. In addition, readers learn how to make changes to the model, and how to add them to a general context.

If readers have not decided on a specific mechanical CAD system, then this book will help better understand their needs, and then make the right choice.

To learn more about the book, download a sample chapter, or to purchase the book (€39.90), visit the Hanser Web site at www.hanser.de/buch.asp?isbn=978-3-446-42401-2&area=Technik.