© 2009 Autodesk

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 Designers will use the sketching tools in Alias because of the quality and speed of
the tools, such as airbrushes, and the ability to mix 3D and 2D techniques in one
software package.

Adding a graphics tablet to your computer means that you can utilize your existing
skills in sketching and drawing to support your 3D modeling.

© 2009 Autodesk
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 Any design that isn’t based on simple geometric forms will require a sophisticated
computer-aided industrial design (CAID)/computer-aided styling (CAS) modeler to
create the quality surfaces needed for manufacturing.

© 2009 Autodesk
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 This illustration is not only an example of a design presentation but also a reminder
that your design work will need to integrate with the work of other professionals:
mechanical and electrical engineers, marketing specialists, and manufacturing
engineers.

Alias is designed to be able to input and

output data to other computer-aided design
(CAD) systems so that working collaboratively
is encouraged.

The most satisfying output from your design

activity is to see your product in production.
For that to happen, communication of accurate
3D data throughout the design process is
essential.

© 2009 Autodesk
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 Concept Design
A concept design will start with sketches and workshop models. Sketching can be
done on paper, using graphics software, or directly in 3D using the Alias sketching
tools.

If a design has free-form, organic, or complex curved shapes, Alias will be the most
effective tool for developing the concept.

If a design is more technical (for example, it has many repeated parts as in control
buttons or air vents), then the concept may be most effectively developed using a
parametric CAD system.

Engineering Design
Alias won’t typically be used for the engineering of a design into manufacturable
components. An engineering CAD system will have analysis and data management
tools that will enable the design to be developed for manufacturing.

Engineering Surfacing
For complex forms, such as vehicle exteriors, Alias has sophisticated technical
surfacing tools that can be used to create the final ‘A’ surfaces for manufacturing.

© 2009 Autodesk
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 Solid and Surface Modelers
Most engineering 3D CAD systems are solid modelers, whereas Alias is a surface
modeler. You’ll notice differences in how holes are cut and features are added.
You’ll also notice that Alias gives you more freedom in the geometry that it lets you
create, which is why designers like it for creative work.

Parametrics, Features, and History Trees

Most engineering CAD systems have sophisticated ways of creating a logical,
hierarchical model, which can be driven by dimensions. They will typically have
‘history trees’ where the model can be rolled back and modified at any stage in its
construction.

The way ‘history’ works in Alias is different. It is based on the tools that are used to
create objects and on dependencies between curves and surfaces.

The complex forms you can create with Alias cannot be defined by simple
dimensions or parametric relationships, and so tools are provided to sculpt and
evaluate surfaces, using the designer’s skill and judgement to create the design.

Transitioning from Another System

If you have experience in another CAD system, then many of your skills will be
useful when learning Alias.

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 Designers choose Alias because it gives them the ability to sculpt forms with almost
no limitations.

Instead of having to think of a design in terms of dimensions and geometry, a form

can be sculpted and crafted in 3D, with the designer’s talent and artistry controlling
the end result.

There is a high skill level required to master this technique, but the discipline and
effort you put in will be rewarded by the beautiful objects you are able to create.

© 2009 Autodesk
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 Simply Get Started
With software programs like Internet Explorer or Google Earth, very few people have
formal training. The software is so well designed and easy to use such that most
people can pick it up just by playing around.

Alias is significantly more sophisticated, and so it will take more teaching and a lot
more determination and practice to learn to use it well. But, playing around is still a
key learning skill! Alias is software for creative work; your instructor won’t know the
answer to everything you want to do. Be experimental, be playful, and have fun
learning.

The first part of this course is designed to get you started so that you have the basic
skills that will allow you to experiment, play, and really start to learn.

© 2009 Autodesk
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 Exercise and Project Format

With this curriculum, you will learn by doing.

The aim of the curriculum is to reduce the amount of reading and listening that you
do and increase the time you spend working in Alias.

Exercises and projects therefore have embedded instructions in the form of

canvas planes. They are short guidelines about what you should do and a
reminder of which tools to use. They can be turned on or off at any time while you
are modeling.

Example of a
project file

© 2009 Autodesk
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