The 3D Jackpot Part 1 -- the Perfect Storm

TUnder the perfect blue skies of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Bob McNeel wonders if a perfect storm is brewing. He is speaking figuratively: the perfect storm being the confluence of conditions that would support a 3D design world, a universal acceptance of 3D design software.

Bob is founder and CEO of Robert McNeel & Associates, makers of Rhino. Rhino 3D modeling software is the beloved choice of 150,000 industrial designers, boatmakers, jewelers and so on. But that is the tip of the iceberg. Why isn't that 1.5 million users?

If you know Bob, you know this is not just corporate greed talking. If Bob was just after the filthy lucre, he could have sold his company many times by now and retired. He could be sailing one of the many yachts that ply the warm waters just past the smooth sandy beach and swaying palms under which we sit and chat.

The more I talk to Bob, the more I think he is the real thing. The DIMe conference, which Bob's company is sponsoring here in Mexico, is for college students learning industrial design. It’s more a labor of love than a commercial enterprise, entry is a mere $100US. Sure, Bob's Rhino software is being demoed on stage but it's not a hard sell. Besides, many of the kids seem to already be users of the Rhino. I asked Bob how he would advise younger kids seeking a profession. "Solve someone’s problem. They can do it through architecture, industrial design, whatever..."

Current wisdom would indicate the correct tool to use in order to solve the customer problem is 3D design software. Still, millions cling to 2D design software.

Perplexed, Bob asks me what I think.

Oh, Bob, don't get me started....

Next: The 3D Jackpot, Part 2: Powerful, Easy to Use Or Cheap (Pick Any Two)

Comments

[Puerto Vallarta Condos]

Cool blog, I spend a lot of time in Puerto Vallarta and live there part time. I always do a Google search for all the blogs about Puerto Vallarta so I can keep up with what is going on when I am not there. Have a great day. pvkid

[Milton Graham]

Has anybody ever remotely considered the possibly that 3D CAD is REALLY HARD!! I mean, has it ever crossed their minds!!!

Are the practitioners of 3D CAD so out of touch with the rest of the populace, that they can't get a grip on the level of difficulty, time and commitment it takes to become proficient and productive with this class of software.

What is going on with 3D CAD is analogous to Dos. The developers and gurus of Dos didn't have a rats ass clue that the "common folk" were suffering with this system until people literally had to scream it at them. "What, they can't handle a simple command prompt, what's the problem?

3D cad programs regardless of the manufacture are brutal to learn. That is just the way it is. That said, the same way that competitive pressures forced the transition from manual drafting to PC based CAD, those same pressures, will force the almost total and complete migration to 3D. But, like me, most people will do it because they have to, not because 3D CAD is the hot thing to do on a Saturday night.

[Josh]

I'm looking forward to what you're going to get into on this. love the subject and the site. Thanks.