By using artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize relationships without preparation, users can dispense with paper hand-drawing and create concept designs within the NX software. This technology is designed to provide more flexibility when sketching drafts in concept design and make it easier to work with imported data. It supports fast design iteration based on legacy data and allows working with tens of thousands of curve sets within a single sketch, Siemens said. "The ability to make intelligent changes to 2D elements that you import into the new sketcher is amazing," says Steve Samuels, CEO of Design Visionaries.

According to Siemens, analyses have shown that on an average day or workflow, a user spends around ten percent of the day sketching. Furthermore, in current design workflows, the majority of concept sketches are created outside of the CAD software, as the user has to decide on rules and relationships in advance and incorporate them into the sketch. Designers often do not necessarily know what the end product will look like during the concept design phase. This requires a sketching environment that is flexible and can evolve with the design.

2D paper concept design in the 3D CAD environment
NX offers the flexibility of 2D paper concept design within the 3D CAD environment. This makes it the first system in the industry to remove the existing limitations for this design. Instead of defining and being constrained by constraints such as dimensions or relations, NX can recognize tangents and other design relationships to adjust them without further preparation.

"Sketching is at the core of CAD and is critical to capturing the intent of the digital twin," says Bob Haubrock, Senior Vice President, Product Engineering Software at Siemens Digital Industries Software. "Even though it's an essential part of the process, sketching hasn't changed much in the last 40 years. Through the combined use of technology and innovation from several previous acquisitions, Siemens is able to take a fresh look at this critical engineering step and modernize it in a way that enables our customers to realize significant productivity and innovation gains." as