Autodesk Alias Surface
Encyclopedia
Alias Software is a division of Autodesk
which publishes software used in automotive styling.
The software allows to create 2D
sketches and rendering
and it features the use of modern Cintique Tablets. This digital workflow opens an entire new world of image creation. Different to software like Photoshop, Alias allows the use of 3D package data (curves, solids, surfaces) to give the sketching process a real 3d dimension support. An interesting effect when using 3D package data comes up when the same design has to be drawn and presented in lots of different perspective
views. The underlying 3D package helps to keep always the correct and realistic perspective view.
Apparently even hand sketches that will be scanned can be imported into Alias. Based on this 2D input the user creates 3D curves which are the base for automatically creation of a network of NURBS surfaces. These surfaces can be decorated further with sketches to allow a fast and nice presentation of the design without time consuming modeling of the details. Often it is enough to do early concept decisions to evaluate the model just with mappings of sketched details.
Design does not always just start with concept sketches on paper. Sometimes the designer starts right away with physical clay
models. Sometimes the client wants to have a partial re-design of an existing model. In this case the physical models can be scanned and imported into Autodesk Alias Surface. The designer (stylist) cuts out the parts of the polygon
model that have to be re-designed and filled it with his own NURBS surfaces. Using modern global shaping techniques he easily can change and balance the proportions of his model or just parts of it. Alias Surface allows with this an interesting Coexistence of 3D-Polygondata (typical Scanner
output) with sketched pixel
data and with NURBS surfaces. This is called Hybrid Modeling.
In addition to this, a styling idea can be modeled even traditionally as a NURBS surface model. For this Alias offers the conventional modeling tools. These tools mostly based on curve based modeling philosophy. In here four sided NURBS surfaces will be filled in an appropriate Network out of curves. This workflow matches mostly the common thinking and behavior of the majority of Car stylists, thinking in Feature lines.
The high end discipline in surface modeling matches the quality level of Class A. This modeling effort needs advanced tools and different workflows as concept modeling.
In this discipline it is all about modeling of light
and shadow
. The highlights on surfaces are very sensitive and show every little misbalance and therefore the surfaces must be very nicely put together. For this special purpose the use of singe span NURBS geometry and its direct manipulation is preferred over the time by many automotive companies. This kind of modeling (curves as edges to manipulate the surfaces are not needed) is a good increasing of the traditional curve based modeling technology in Alias. On top of that Class A surfaces have to match special technology requests For example the radii have to have certain peaks and certain lead in. The design of shut lines requires special tools and diagnostics that are available in Alias too.
Especially when designing complexes of surfaces that include more than just one surface item (filet and flange
) history based tools allows the combination of several different commands in one tool. Such a tool creates the fillet flange in one step, or it creates a ball corner were three radii come together. These semi automatic tools are capable to save time during the entire NURBS modeling process, especially when doing technical surfaces like flanges and the mentioned ball corners.
With the development of Alias software line Autodesk puts a focus on automotive industry. Alias users take advantage from existing Autodesk technology and infrastructure.
The Alias software line supports industrial Designers
focusing on capturing their ideas using a digital prototype. Requirement in here is to lave the creativity of the designer as most as possible untouched.
Autodesk understands this process starting with the concept idea until leverage of a 3D Prototype. Autodesk draws the line in automotive with leveraging Class A surface data to Engineering
/major CAD systems.
Autodesk will combine the virtual prototype with other 3D- unspecific information to make ithe protopype richer. With this its appearance and meaning for design decision processes can be lifted to a new level.
Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is an American multinational corporation that focuses on 3D design software for use in the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media and entertainment industries. The company was founded in 1982 by John Walker, a coauthor of the first versions of the company's...
which publishes software used in automotive styling.
The software allows to create 2D
2D geometric model
A 2D geometric model is a geometric model of an object as two-dimensional figure, usually on the Euclidean or Cartesian plane.Even though all material objects are three-dimensional, a 2D geometric model is often adequate for certain flat objects, such as paper cut-outs and machine parts made of...
sketches and rendering
Rendering (computer graphics)
Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model , by means of computer programs. A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of the virtual scene...
and it features the use of modern Cintique Tablets. This digital workflow opens an entire new world of image creation. Different to software like Photoshop, Alias allows the use of 3D package data (curves, solids, surfaces) to give the sketching process a real 3d dimension support. An interesting effect when using 3D package data comes up when the same design has to be drawn and presented in lots of different perspective
Perspective (visual)
Perspective, in context of vision and visual perception, is the way in which objects appear to the eye based on their spatial attributes; or their dimensions and the position of the eye relative to the objects...
views. The underlying 3D package helps to keep always the correct and realistic perspective view.
Apparently even hand sketches that will be scanned can be imported into Alias. Based on this 2D input the user creates 3D curves which are the base for automatically creation of a network of NURBS surfaces. These surfaces can be decorated further with sketches to allow a fast and nice presentation of the design without time consuming modeling of the details. Often it is enough to do early concept decisions to evaluate the model just with mappings of sketched details.
Design does not always just start with concept sketches on paper. Sometimes the designer starts right away with physical clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
models. Sometimes the client wants to have a partial re-design of an existing model. In this case the physical models can be scanned and imported into Autodesk Alias Surface. The designer (stylist) cuts out the parts of the polygon
Polygon
In geometry a polygon is a flat shape consisting of straight lines that are joined to form a closed chain orcircuit.A polygon is traditionally a plane figure that is bounded by a closed path, composed of a finite sequence of straight line segments...
model that have to be re-designed and filled it with his own NURBS surfaces. Using modern global shaping techniques he easily can change and balance the proportions of his model or just parts of it. Alias Surface allows with this an interesting Coexistence of 3D-Polygondata (typical Scanner
3D scanner
A 3D scanner is a device that analyzes a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance . The collected data can then be used to construct digital, three dimensional models....
output) with sketched pixel
Pixel
In digital imaging, a pixel, or pel, is a single point in a raster image, or the smallest addressable screen element in a display device; it is the smallest unit of picture that can be represented or controlled....
data and with NURBS surfaces. This is called Hybrid Modeling.
In addition to this, a styling idea can be modeled even traditionally as a NURBS surface model. For this Alias offers the conventional modeling tools. These tools mostly based on curve based modeling philosophy. In here four sided NURBS surfaces will be filled in an appropriate Network out of curves. This workflow matches mostly the common thinking and behavior of the majority of Car stylists, thinking in Feature lines.
The high end discipline in surface modeling matches the quality level of Class A. This modeling effort needs advanced tools and different workflows as concept modeling.
In this discipline it is all about modeling of light
Light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
and shadow
Shadow
A shadow is an area where direct light from a light source cannot reach due to obstruction by an object. It occupies all of the space behind an opaque object with light in front of it. The cross section of a shadow is a two-dimensional silhouette, or reverse projection of the object blocking the...
. The highlights on surfaces are very sensitive and show every little misbalance and therefore the surfaces must be very nicely put together. For this special purpose the use of singe span NURBS geometry and its direct manipulation is preferred over the time by many automotive companies. This kind of modeling (curves as edges to manipulate the surfaces are not needed) is a good increasing of the traditional curve based modeling technology in Alias. On top of that Class A surfaces have to match special technology requests For example the radii have to have certain peaks and certain lead in. The design of shut lines requires special tools and diagnostics that are available in Alias too.
Especially when designing complexes of surfaces that include more than just one surface item (filet and flange
Flange
A flange is an external or internal ridge, or rim , for strength, as the flange of an iron beam such as an I-beam or a T-beam; or for attachment to another object, as the flange on the end of a pipe, steam cylinder, etc., or on the lens mount of a camera; or for a flange of a rail car or tram wheel...
) history based tools allows the combination of several different commands in one tool. Such a tool creates the fillet flange in one step, or it creates a ball corner were three radii come together. These semi automatic tools are capable to save time during the entire NURBS modeling process, especially when doing technical surfaces like flanges and the mentioned ball corners.
With the development of Alias software line Autodesk puts a focus on automotive industry. Alias users take advantage from existing Autodesk technology and infrastructure.
The Alias software line supports industrial Designers
Industrial design
Industrial design is the use of a combination of applied art and applied science to improve the aesthetics, ergonomics, and usability of a product, but it may also be used to improve the product's marketability and production...
focusing on capturing their ideas using a digital prototype. Requirement in here is to lave the creativity of the designer as most as possible untouched.
Autodesk understands this process starting with the concept idea until leverage of a 3D Prototype. Autodesk draws the line in automotive with leveraging Class A surface data to Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
/major CAD systems.
Autodesk will combine the virtual prototype with other 3D- unspecific information to make ithe protopype richer. With this its appearance and meaning for design decision processes can be lifted to a new level.