My assumption was proven foolish: the adaptability and intelligence built into the shapes makes them extremely easy to learn and to implement. I can use the ones provided by IronCAD, or else create my own IntelliShapes from saved features, parts, and assemblies.Īt my first exposure to them, I was skeptical: in no way could any group of shapes accomplish the geometry I had in mind for my designs. IntelliShapes consist of a predetermined catalogue of basic shapes that most of us would need in creating 3D models. Using IntelliShapes IntelligentlyĮffective technique in IronCAD begins by using “IntelliShapes” to support the bulk of model building. I came away with some very interesting practices, which while I was aware of them in other software, I never before saw them showcased in other CAD packages the way they are in IronCAD. IronCAD is new to me, and so I sat down with one of IronCAD’s representatives for initial training. (I do want to point out a great article by Alexander Murray, who wrote “ Introduction to IronCAD 2012” that touches on many points, which I will try to avoid here.) The point of this review is to give readers additional information, and so I will highlight new items in 2013 as well as some practices that set it apart from the CAD packages I use, namely SolidWorks, Draftsight, AutoCAD, and Inventor. After taking IronCAD 2013 for a test drive for the last several weeks, I have come away with an interesting perspective regarding this old-school contender with new-school techniques and functionality.

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