1

The How-to Guide to

Adopting a New 3D
CAD

Michelle Boucher | Vice President |

Tech-Clarity

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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The Importance of Engineering Investments

What strategies will your company use to improve
profitability? Is engineering a part of it? If not, it should be.
To boost profitability, companies work hard to win over
customers with great products. Unfortunately, creating great
products isn't easy. Global competition makes it hard to stand
out. To be successful, products must be innovative and high
quality, yet priced competitively without negatively impacting
margins. While balancing these often-conflicting requirements
is already a challenge, companies must also race against the
clock to beat the competition.

Engineering is key to accomplishing these goals, and having

the right tools is essential for success. Plus, as the world
evolves, the tool that was right 10 years ago may no longer
be ideal. Today, engineers need tools that will manage rising
product complexity, adapt to increasing customer
expectations, and support new technologies as they become
available. If you find your engineering tools are holding you
back, it may be time for a change. When that time comes,
what steps should you take to ensure the quickest return on
your investment (ROI) for your new CAD tool?
This e-book identifies best practices for migrating to a new
CAD tool. It serves as a how-to guide to help companies
achieve a positive ROI, as quickly as possible.

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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About the Research

Based on the results of a Tech-Clarity survey of over 230
manufacturers, this e-book shares best practices for
adopting a new CAD tool. The research examined three
different types of migrations:

•  Transitioning from 2D CAD to 3D CAD

•  Migrating from 3D CAD to a new 3D CAD
•  Adopting model-based definition (MBD)

Each eBook in the series focuses on a single type of

migration. This eBook focuses on migrating from 3D
CAD to a new 3D CAD.

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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3D to 3D
3D to 3D
© Tech-Clarity 2017
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Why Change to a New 3D CAD Tool?

There are several reasons why a company may change
from one 3D CAD tool to another. Research from Tech-
Clarity's, “Are You Changing CAD Tools? What You
Should Know” found that interestingly, those reasons
have shifted over the last several years. Problems with
the CAD tool used to be the primary drivers. Now,
business reasons have become more important. This
indicates that CAD tools have become more of
a strategic piece of the overall product
development solution.
“Since implementing their current
CAD tools, Top Performers have
reduced development time by 19%,
development costs by 15%, and
the time to implement an ECO by
16%, putting them at a significant
competitive advantage.”
“Are You Switching CAD Tools? What You Should Know”
– Tech-Clarity

However, changing something as critical as CAD

involves multiple aspects. With a good understanding of 61%
best practices for adopting a new CAD tool, companies 50%
can enjoy the benefits of their new tool even sooner. Business reasons 26%
31%
<1 year
Tech-Clarity analyzed how companies rated their 1-3 years
transition process to migrate to a new CAD tool. The 4-6 years
experiences of those who were especially happy with 22% > 7 years
how the migration went were compared to the rest. The 20%
Challenges with former
results of this analysis became the basis for best CAD tool 65%
practices for migrating to a new 3D CAD tool. While both 48%
groups reported many benefits after making the
transition, Top Performing Implementers reported even
greater improvement. Primary Driver for a Change in 3D CAD Tools

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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Benefits of a 3D-to-3D Transition

Since implementing their current 3D CAD tool,

companies report several improvements. By following
best practices to support their transition to a new 3D
CAD tool, Top Performing Implementers realize even
more benefits. The table shows the respective
improvements reported by each group.

Top Performing Average

Implementers Implementers
Development time
14% less 6% less
(man hours)
Development
11% less 5% less
costs
Time to implement
12% less 5% less
an ECO
Number of
iterations 14% more 7% more
(more innovation)

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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Advice on Selecting a New CAD Tool

“Pick the best 3D CAD system you
can afford. Avoid selecting a 3D
CAD tool as a cost savings.”

~ Engineer, Industrial Equipment Manufacturer

“I recommend focusing on the fact

that all the top 3D CAD packages
are good enough for the job. Do not
get drawn into an argument of
price/power with users. Focus on
business reasons for the choice.”

~ Erik Sherwood, P. Eng., Director, Design and

Fabrication Services, National Research Council
Canada

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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Planning the Migration: How Should

You Start?
53%
When planning a migration to a new 3D CAD tool, where Started with a single product 40%
should you begin? Survey results show it’s best to start
with a small pilot, for a single product line. Learn what Established cut-off for all 51%
projects to use new CAD 20%
works best and apply those lessons as it is rolled out
to everyone. Established a small pilot 49%
project 40%
The biggest difference between Top Performing
21%
Implementers and Average Implementers is a clear cutoff
Defined a phased approach 27%
date for when everyone will use the new tool. After your
initial pilot, you should have a good understanding of 13%
Left timing up to individual
best practices to prepare the rest of the team. An users 27%
extended period when some are using the new tool and Top Implementer
others are not leads to inefficiency, uncertainty, and How Did You Start the Transition? Average Implementer
confusion since multiple formats are in use.

Leaving it up to individuals to determine their own timing

may seem like a good idea. With this approach, users
can develop a comfort level with the new tool before
making the change. However, this makes it easier to put
off the change. Survey results show that it is better to
migrate all at once. Firm deadlines remove the
uncertainty and minimize the length of the transition
phase. In the end, this will lead to a smoother transition.

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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Advice to Get Started

“Getting buy-in from the pilot
team and ensuring the first project
moved swiftly and uneventfully
helped make our migration
a success.”

~ Ryan McVay, CAD/PLM Administrator, Nystrom

“Place rigid boundaries around

transition dates.”

~ Christopher Schaefer, Engineer, Medical

Device Company

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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Preparing for the Change

While companies report many benefits after migrating to

67%
a new CAD tool, some team members may be resistant Made training available 53%
to a change. However, with the right approach, users
should feel more comfortable with the new tool so they
will be more open to the change. Established team champion to 43%
promote new tool 13%
Training is critical. Once users feel comfortable with the
workflow, it will be easier to adopt. The biggest difference Workshops to explain benefits 35%
between Top Performing Implementers and Average of the transition 20%
Implementers is a team champion. If someone is in
charge of championing the new tool, that person can Conducted "lessons learned" 30%
work with users to make sure they are getting what they workshops 20%
need and they understand the value of the new tool.
Solicited feedback from users 30%
during selection process 13%
Top Implementer
Average Implementer
How to Prepare for the Change

Taking that further, holding workshops to explain the

benefits and share lessons learned helps too. Involving
the users in the selection process will lead to even
greater satisfaction. Users will be more accepting of a
new tool if they feel they had some say in the selection.

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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Advice to Overcome the Resistance

to Change
“I wish we had known how much “Keep an open mind and don't
better the new system really is.” get caught up in the ‘my old CAD
program could do this’
comparison mentality.”

~ Tool Designer, Industrial Equipment Manufacturer ~ Mechanical Designer, Industrial Equipment Manufacturer

“Always come at it from the user's “In-house mentoring and a

perspective. Consider 'What's in it dedicated transition support person
for me?' Make sure they see the was the most helpful thing we did
DIFFERENT way of making models to support the transition.”
is better, faster, more efficient.
Encourage them to help develop
the system settings and training
plans. Get them invested in the
project as much as possible.”

~ James Rawlinson, Automation Project Manager, ~ Design Engineer, Industrial Equipment Manufacturer
Industrial Component Supplier

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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Best Practices for Training

Consider how to overcome the learning curve. Training
helps you realize expected benefits even sooner. However,
it takes time, so ensure you invest in resources that will be
most helpful.
The graph shows the percentage of Top Performing
Implementers who rated training resources as follows:
•  Helpful
•  Would have liked to use, had it been available
•  Not helpful
Online tutorials are viewed as very helpful and no one found
them unhelpful. Instructor-led training, online communities, and
videos are rated similarly. While the remaining options are also
viewed as helpful, some users disagree. This indicates that
the quality of these resources makes a difference in
their usefulness.
The largest gap between the two performance groups is that far
more Average Implementers chose “would like to use.” This
reveals they had less access to training, reinforcing its
importance in a more successful migration.

Online tutorials 74% 26% 0%

Instructor-led training 68% 28% 4%

Online community of users of new CAD tool 66% 32% 2%

YouTube videos 58% 33% 9%

Training specifically for users of your old tool 53% 31% 16%

Multi-CAD capabilities in new CAD tool 50% 30% 20%

Menu mapping tools 42% 36% 22%

Online community of former users 35% 46% 20%

Helpful Would Like to Use Not Helpful
Helpfulness of Training Resources as Rated by Top Performing Implementers © Tech-Clarity 2017
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Advice for Training

“Online videos were very helpful.” “Online courses followed by vendor
training is the best route.”

~ Jay Siebert, Lead Process Designer, Foth Production ~ Charlie McKay, Custom Cue Builder/Owner of True
Solutions, LLC Heart Billiard Cues

“We created a specific 'old way/ “We leveraged in-house experts to

new way' video training using our help with the transition and provide
products. It highlighted why we training and support where needed.”
were adopting a new system.”

~ James Rawlinson, Automation Project Manager, ~ Principal Engineer, Healthcare Company

Industrial Component Supplier

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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What to Do With Legacy Data

Legacy data is another consideration when changing to a
new CAD tool. To develop a plan for it, consider some
key questions:
ü  It has gotten easier to convert
•  How much should you convert before transitioning legacy data. Ten years ago, it took
users? 82 weeks before users were
•  How much should you convert overall?
satisfied with the amount
•  How should you prioritize what is converted?
•  How should you handle data that has not been converted. Now it takes only
converted? 29 weeks.
For the first two questions, Top Performing Implementers
convert more before they start the transition and they
also end up with more data converted.

30%
Amount of converted legacy
at go-live 13%

47%
Amount of converted legacy
in total 32%

Top Implementer Average Implementer

Amount of Data Converted

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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How to Prioritize Data to Convert

Since only about 47 percent of legacy data will need to be 68%

converted, develop a strategy to select the right files. Start Products actively maintained 43%
by identifying files that do not need to be converted.
53%
Files which will be reused 50%
Top Performing Implementers take a more strategic
approach by identifying discontinued products and old 45%
Products with planned updates 29%
revisions. This works better than picking a random cutoff
date and ignoring everything that is older. Average 45%
Implementers are much more likely to do nothing at all. Products with potential for updates 29%

47% 32%
Consolidate families of parts 21%
Discontinued products 46%
19%
45% Do nothing, migrate as needed 50%
Older, outdated revisions 15%
32% Top Implementer Average Implementer
Purchased components 31% Identify Data to Convert
26% Of the remaining files, identify what should be converted.
Do nothing, migrate as needed 46% Prioritize products that are actively maintained and files
Files last saved before a certain 26% you know will be reused. Products that you know will be
date 8% updated and those that may be updated, even if they are
not currently on the roadmap, should be the next priority.
Product released before a 23%
certain date 15% This strategic approach balances the efforts to convert
data with making sure projects that need older files will
Top Implementer Average Implementer
not slow down.
Identify Data Not to Convert

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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How to Handle Data That Has Not

Been Converted
The steps to prioritize which data to convert will identify
most of what will be needed, but occasionally, there may
still be a need for legacy data that has not yet been
converted. Some thought should be given to how this
data will be treated.

Top Performing Implementers are most likely to either

convert it as needed or recreate it.

68%
Convert as needed 43%

47%
Recreate it 29%

Maintain limited licenses to 34%

work with older CAD 36%

Use embedded multi-CAD 23%

tools inside new CAD 29%

Top Implementer Average Implementer

How to Treat Unconverted Legacy Data

© Tech-Clarity 2017

Advice for Legacy Data
ü  Multi-CAD tools embedded inside
CAD are growing in adoption:
Four to 10 years ago, only 14%
used them. Of those who
transitioned within the last three
years, 43% are using them.
“We established a list of 'preferred'
products, i.e., those that would
be further developed. All
components from these products
were converted.”
~ Director of Engineering, Industrial Equipment
Manufacturer
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“Decide what needs to be
transitioned to the new tool and
what can stay in the old and
maintain the tools to access the
data that's not going to be moved.”
~ Principal Engineer, Healthcare Company
“We used the migration of data as
an educational opportunity. A team
of local area experts started by
remodeling parts and capitalizing
on the new features/enhancements
of the system. They in turn trained
other people by migrating
more parts.”
~ Director of Engineering, Industrial Equipment
Manufacturer
© Tech-Clarity 2017
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The Importance of the User Community

When focusing on what leads to a more successful

37%
implementation, we also saw differences in what Size of user community / potential
companies looked for in their new 3D CAD tool. Those hiring pool of trained users 14%
who had an even more successful transition phase tend
to focus more on the user community.
Preference of users / user 33%
satisfaction 14%
Those who had a very good experience with the
transition were more likely to look for a tool that has a
large user community. This makes it easier to hire users Enthusiasm and online presence 30%
who are already familiar with the tool. They also consider of user community 7%
the preferences of their existing users. Users will be a lot
more excited to use a tool they prefer and this can make Top Implementer Average Implementer
a big difference.

Companies who had a very successful migration

considered the online community as well. An enthusiastic
and active online community can be a great knowledge
resource to new users, too. It is a strong sign of user
satisfaction, which can be a good indicator that it will be
easier to adopt.

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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More Implementation Advice

“We also implemented a PDM “We relied on access to the
system to create an ecosystem to reseller at all points during
support the new CAD tool.” our implementation.”

~ Director of Engineering, Industrial Equipment ~ Christopher Schaefer, Engineer, Medical Device

Manufacturer Company

“If switching to a new system, it is

important to invest in implementing
tools to make it easier. Establish a
small team whose job it is to
manage macros or shortcuts.”

~ David Schon, Design Drafter, Key Technology, Inc.

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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Recommendations for 3D to 3D

For an even more successful transition to a new 3D CAD

tool, consider the following:

ü  When selecting a new solution, focus on the business

criteria that drive investments in product development.

ü  Start with a small pilot program, then establish firm

dates to transition everyone.
ü  To overcome the resistance to change, provide
training, establish a champion for the tool, and ensure
the team understands the benefits of the new solution.

ü  The availability of training resources is one of the

biggest differences between an extremely successful
implementation and a more average experience. Take
advantage of online tutorials, instructor-led training,
and videos.
ü  Not all legacy data need to be converted. Put together
a strategy to identify data that shouldn't be migrated.
Then, from the list of remaining files, prioritize data
for products that are actively maintained or will
be updated.

© Tech-Clarity 2017
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Demographics
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Industry and Size

38%

* Some companies serve multiple industries.

17%
14% 14% 14% 13% 12%
10%
8% 7% 6%

Industrial Automotive High Tech Life Consumer Aerospace Engineering Energy, Consumer Architecture Mold, Tool,
Equipment Sciences Products & Defense Services Processes, Packaged & Die
& Utilities Goods
Industry*
One
Don’t 7%
1,001 to 5,000 Over 5,000 know
4% 6% 2%
501 to 1,000
4% Don’t know
2 to 5 23% Less than
101 to 500 Greater than $100 million
11% 23% $5 billion 44%
5%
51 to 100
5% $100 million to
21 to 50 $250 million
6 to 20
14% $1 billion to 11%
24% $5 billion
8%
$250 million to
$1 billion
9%
Number of Engineers Size by Revenue
© Tech-Clarity 2017
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Geography and Role

87%

* Some companies do business in

multiple geographies.
28%
18%
9% 8% 7%
4%
2%

North America Western Asia Australia Latin America Eastern Middle East Africa
Europe Europe
Geography*
Executive
8% Vice President MIS / IT / Sys
Other Manufacturing
level Other Adm
2% 5%
4% Director Industrial 4% 2%
level Designer
9% 6%
Draftsman
6% Design
Management Engineering
Nonmanager, 11% 54%
Manager level
staff, engineer CAD
24%
53% Administrator
12%

Title Function
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www.tech-clarity.com
About the Author
clarityonplm.com
Michelle Boucher is the Vice President of Research for
@michboucher Engineering Software for research firm Tech-Clarity, an
independent research and consulting firm that specializes
TechClarity.inc in analyzing the business value of software technology and
services. Michelle has spent over 20 years in various roles
in engineering, marketing, management, and as an analyst.

Michelle has broad experience with topics such as product

design, simulation, systems engineering, mechatronics,
embedded systems, PCB design, improving product
performance, process improvement, and mass
customization. She graduated magna cum laude with an
The How-to Guide for MBA from Babson College and earned a BS in mechanical
engineering, with distinction, from Worcester Polytechnic
Institute.
Migrating from 3D CAD
Michelle is an experienced researcher and author. She has
to a New 3D CAD benchmarked over 7,000 product development
professionals and published over 90 reports on product
development best practices. She focuses on helping
companies manage the complexity of today’s products,
markets, design environments, and value chains to achieve
higher profitability.
This e-book is licensed by Dassault
Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation.

© Tech-Clarity 2017