Your Complete Guide to Generative Design

Today, the world of technology is racing fast, actually faster than it was imagined, and promising to completely change how products are created. One of the latest technologies used in product development is generative design, which draws from the advances of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing to act just like a specialized engineer would do. If you are an engineer, architect, or other professional involved in designing products, it is time to take a closer look because the technology is racing fast to also do your job. This post is a comprehensive guide to generative design artificial intelligence and its application.

What is Generative Design?

Before looking at the benefits and applications of generative design, let’s start by understanding what it is. This is a technology where three-dimensional models are developed and optimized using advanced computer applications. The user or developer outlines all the requirements for the model to be created, such as constraints, loads, dimensions, volume, and color, among others, and the software does the rest. It combines all the parameters and generates the finished model in seconds.

If you were to develop the model/ design manually or with standard programs, it could have taken a lot of time. Even after including all the above parameters when using generative design, you still need to go ahead and factor additional attributes such as weight limits and material availability. Sure, it requires more specificity, which makes the design or manufacturing process more complex, but the resulting product will be more awesome. 

With generative design artificial intelligence application, you can easily broaden the product development horizon far beyond personal imagination or experience. Therefore, it is an excellent tool or technology, to develop more with less. It comes one step ahead of the parametric modeling design of CAD applications. This is why it is now the main driver of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and you should not be left behind in adopting and using it in your product design process.

Benefits of Using Generative Design

If you take a step back and look at the standard design processes, they are time-consuming and unnecessarily tiresome. Engineers have to rely on simulation tools and validate every new design. If something goes wrong with the product along the way, the engineer is likely to get back to the start, implying that all the work done and associated costs go to waste. To address this, a new approach had to be sought. This is how Generative design artificial intelligence was born. So effective are the generative design software and design process that almost every industry is adopting them for product development. Autodesk is leading the way in developing new apps in different industries, from manufacturing to building design. So, let’s start with the main advantages that come with using generative design :

Helps Engineers to Cut Down the Weight of Products

When you use generative design artificial intelligence to run simulations, you can easily optimize the product’s weight while achieving all the other design requirements. This makes the process an excellent choice for designing products such as electric cars, airplanes and drones.

Excellent in Helping to Improve Performance

The best part of generative design is that the products are looked at from diverse perspectives. Using all the added parameters, the program makes it possible to identify the weak areas in design and eliminate them. The generative design software continuously learns from its own experience, ensuring that the product designs you make with the app will continue improving with every interaction. This is one of the best ways to ensure your product will outdo competitors.

When the product is finally produced and put into use, you are assured of better performance. For example, most cars today are far superior compared to the older models, but they are way lighter and require fewer materials. The secret is to use generative design software and machine learning that identify weak areas. Further, the apps use advanced machine learning algorithms  and big data to correct errors for better performance.

Requires Very Little Time to Design and Get Product to the Market

When you use standard product design apps, it takes very long because of the complexities of simulations, comparisons, and the possible need to go back to the drawing board when a new parameter is introduced. However, generative product development automates the process so that you only take a fraction of the time that could have been required using standard apps. Even when you need to make changes, there is no need to start afresh.

Generative technology also works with the latest additive technology and 3D printing to create prototypes fast for analysis before the final product manufacturing. Even when adjustments are needed, the process takes a very short moment to fix issues and resume production. If you adopt this, it will be an excellent way of cutting down wastes, efforts, and costs needed to design top-class products. 

You Get Multiple Design Options

Whether you are designing cars or mobile phones, generative design simulations use algorithms that generate multiple options for you. Note that this does not require additional costs. So, simply check the one that meets all your requirements. You can even get more options by tweaking other parameters.

Top Generative Design Artificial Intelligence Software

Now that you know the benefits that come from using generative design, here are some of the best apps to consider:

Fusion 360

This is one of the leading generative design programs on the market. It is designed by Autodesk and serves as a CAD, 3D CAE, and CAM platform that integrate the entire process in a cloud environment. Initially, Fusion 360 was created for manufacturers. However, it proved equally effective for other engineers too.

The most notable feature of Fusion 360 is the integrated simulation tool, which allows you to test different designs and create realistic overviews for clients. Therefore, your client will be able to see a realistic product design as opposed to receiving sketches. Naturally, this is an excellent way to meet and surpass your clients’ expectations.

Another notable thing about Fusion 360 is the collaboration ability. The app provides team members working on projects with access to the same design and data, which helps to create more transparency. If there is a need for changes, they can be made rapidly and all the team members updated about the adjustments to ensure the project remains on track

NodBox

This is a platform designed for simplicity and efficiency. It is a node-based program that allows data visualizations and generative design. It comes with many in-built tools and features that make designing products easy and fast. Indeed, the node-based interface makes it easy for people without advanced programming knowledge to create awesome designs. All that you need is customizing the nodes and functionality to achieve specific design requirements.

NodBox also stands out because it allows for rapid data visualization. With the app, you can easily import data in multiple formats, such as Excel sheet, and use it for your designs. NodBox comes with a vast library for importing SVG paths to make your work even easier. If you want to edit the designs of your product, the Bezier editor allows you to edit them inside the application.

Archistar

This comprehensive real estate development platform is used to simplify different aspects of related projects. The app provides many designs based on experimental values that you use. For example, you can add values and create 3D designs in minutes. Some architects use Archistar to generate designs for townhouses, apartments, duplexes, manor houses, and subdivisions.

Archistar is also an analytical engine that helps to analyze late-stage factors, such as cross-ventilation, lighting, and building separation. This means that you can start looking at these variations from an early stage of a building project. Other notable features of Archistar include contextual design, branded reports, and auto feasibility.

Generative design is emerging as the new norm in different industries today. Architects, building design professionals, and product developers prefer it because it helps them reach their goals faster and easier. It also allows professionals to generate multiple options for their products, and if a fault is noted, adjustments are easy to make. So, if you have been using CAD or BIM programs only, it is time to move to the next level, and the apps we have reviewed above offer an excellent starting point.

Learn more about the Best 3D building design software.