Have you ever wondered how your company could use its CAD data to gain a competitive advantage? Actually there are several ways that this could be achieved. One of them would be to start using 3D CAD based animations to communicate your ideas and knowledge. The best part of this is that when it comes to creating animations you are only limited by your imagination. Here are some real world examples of how several companies and their customers are benefiting from animations:

1. Animated computer simulations are being added to business proposals in order to show customers a preview of how a design solution would work
2. Many service manuals now include animations that demonstrate how to repair or do maintenance on a product
3. Plant floor computers have animations that instruct production teams on how to assemble a product
4. Web based animations that demonstrate how to use a product are being created for customers
5. Animations of kinematic motion are used to help engineers improve their designs
6. FEA software can create animations that show stresses and deflections of a product under different scenarios
7. Animations of automation equipment are created to analyze how conveyors, pallets and other mechanisms move and work together
8. Animations are now required by marketing teams to present a new product or idea to customers

You probably have heard that a picture is worth a thousand words. If a still shot holds a thousand words imagine the impact that motion can bring to an image. Considering that many individuals prefer to visualize sequences or instructions rather than reading a long description instead. Also, imagine what would happen if all your competitors handed in paper proposals but you submitted proposals that were enhanced with 3D animations of your conceptual designs. Certainly this is one way that animations can provide you with a competitive advantage over your competitors.

Below is an excellent example of an animation from Teknion Furniture. This animation communicates their design concept perfectly. Images and words in a brochure are useful; however, they alone would not have been able to fully capture the ideas behind this design. At least not as quickly and with the same clarity as an animation can. In conclusion, animations not only enhance the work you do, they also allow others to visualize your knowledge and ideas resulting in a strong competitive advantage to your company.

- by Joseph Vera & Jason MacFarlane