Modelling may be required at key stages throughout the development of a product .
A model can help to give clarity as to whether a design is working or not, by allowing
an observation of the design to be made in 3D. A 2D drawing might in many cases be
more difficult to gain good information from. The many aspects of the design that
can be viewed in 3D include things such as the Line, the Proportion and the Symmetry
of the design. It can also be used to check for stability or strength within the
design, where a 2D drawing could not. Over and above this the ergonomic and functional
qualities can be tested.
Modelling should not be done simply as a matter of course, but should only be employed
when required to resolve or investigate specific problems that may be encountered
while trying to progress the design. The quality and detailing of the modelling
itself usually increases as the design progresses, but this may not always be the
case if an unforeseen problem should arise, requiring some basic model to overcome
this at a late stage in the development process.
Models can be made from a wide variety of materials with varying aesthetic qualities
and a wide range of properties. Typically card, wood, plastic, modelling foam and
modelling clay are used as these are easy to source and are also easy to work with.
Modelling Slideshow
