Chad Jackson of Lifecycle Insights understands that the technology needed to design products evolves. To keep up with that changing technology, Lifecycle Insights helps users to understand these changes and move along with them.

In what ways does Lifecycle Insights offer services for software providers?

Lifecycle Insights provides insights on technologies used to design products. We explain how technologies work and what it means for you. Our content is unbiased, independent, clear and concise, offering digestible insight on technology. In short, Lifecycle Insights helps you "get it."

In what ways do trends in the CAD industry affect engineering strategies?

The engineering profession and the nature of design is changing.

Engineers are spending less and less time at their desk. They are always on the go, running from conference rooms to the shop floor to a supplier's campus. They need technologies to help them be productive even when traveling or working remotely. They also must be working on the right data.

Another change is that design is becoming more democratic. Engineers can no longer worry just about form, fit and function. They must engage a lot of different stakeholders — ranging from manufacturing to procurement to service — to get their input and incorporate it into the design. Engineers have become the pivot point for collaboration on products designed for enterprise considerations. They need technologies that let them plug into the right stakeholders no matter where they are at.

What have any of your recent studies shown regarding the impact of CAD on engineering strategies?

Our 3D Collaboration and Interoperability study found that 49% of engineers spend at least 4 hours a week fixing imported geometry. Our Simulation Driven Design study showed that 50% of engineers work nights and weekends due to prototyping and testing failures. Our latest research, the PLM Study, shows that only 55% of projects are released on time. So in all, there are still lots of problems in engineering where technology can help.

The good news is that advancements in CAD like Direct Modeling and Direct Sketching capabilities, integrated Data Management functionality, and running CAD in the Cloud and on mobile devices all help address these issues. Direct Modeling and Sketching lets engineers develop concepts and manipulate imported geometry far more easily than ever before. A startlingly low number of engineering organizations have adopted data management, so they are susceptible to higher than necessary scrap, failed tests, incorrectly ordered parts and more. CAD with integrated data management that automatically tracks changes is a real boon for engineers, and it doesn't require hardly any time from them at all. And finally, we're just coming into an era where mobile devices can truly run complete CAD software applications. That means engineers can be fully productive on the road, in another office or at home; even when they are not in front of their desktops.

Adopting such technologies can have an impact on the productivity of engineering organizations. But let's be clear: adoption of technology alone won't address these challenges. Organizations must also change their practices and procedures to support them. But the potential to improve is definitely there.

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Editor’s Note: Welcome to Cadalyst's blog series by Patrick Hughes, A CAD Dinosaur's Journey into Modern Times.” In this three-month series, Hughes chronicles his transition from AutoCAD R14 to v2015 and from an outdated PC to a state-of-the-art professional workstation. Follow along and enjoy!

Earlier I mentioned that the most obvious difference I’d discovered between AutoCAD Release 14 and modern-day AutoCAD was the ribbon interface. In truth, that difference only scratches the surface of what’s in store when you update AutoCAD. Some users dislike the ribbon (undeservedly, in my opinion), there are several significant changes that are of great value.

Editor’s Note: Welcome to Cadalyst's blog series by Patrick Hughes, A CAD Dinosaur's Journey into Modern Times.” In this three-month series, Hughes chronicles his transition from AutoCAD R14 to v2015 and from an outdated PC to a state-of-the-art professional workstation. Follow along and enjoy!

When AutoCAD 2015 arrived at my desk I eagerly ripped open the cellophane wrapper with my sharpened claws and inserted the 64-bit install CD. I had previously uninstalled the 2014 trial copy and was relieved that there were no conflicts during the 2015 install. The support files, block libraries, and customization files I had copied previously remained in place since they resided in a folder structure independent of the Autodesk files. I merely needed to adjust my file paths within the Options dialog box.

Editor’s Note: Welcome to Cadalyst's blog series by Patrick Hughes, A CAD Dinosaur's Journey into Modern Times.” In this three-month series, Hughes chronicles his transition from AutoCAD R14 to v2015 and from an outdated PC to a state-of-the-art professional workstation. Follow along and enjoy!

Editor’s Note: Welcome to Cadalyst's blog series by Patrick Hughes, A CAD Dinosaur's Journey into Modern Times.” In this three-month series, Hughes chronicles his transition from AutoCAD R14 to v2015 and from an outdated PC to a state-of-the-art professional workstation. Follow along and enjoy!

CAD Software is not just for engineers and architects anymore. The field is opening up, with promising new innovations in 3D printing and computer graphics to name a few.

On August 1, 2012, Sam Muirhead embarked on a life that most people can't even fathom. This native New Zealander who now lives and works in Berlin started an entire lifestyle of using only open source products, designs, entertainment, transportation, and more. Though most people think of open source as related to computer code, Muirhead expanded this concept to include anything that did not come with the restraints of copyrights or patents.

Ron Brys of EnvisionCAD understands what it takes for IT professionals to make the most out of their CAD workstations.

Josh Mings of SolidSmack understands the ins and outs of technology, especially when it comes to CAD. He says his site is dedicated to helping those in the industry - no matter if they're just starting out or have been in the game for years - get the most out of their technology process.

Mings shares more of what SolidSmack offers engineers, designers, and everyone else in between in this interview.