3-D Geometric Modeling for the 21st Century

There have been numerous and dramatic changes in graphics technologies used in engineering design during the last thirty years. Computer models that represent the geometric characteristics of parts and assemblies are used extensively in design, analysis and manufacturing. This paper briefly describes these new geometric models used in contemporary CAD software, including wireframe, surface, solid and parametric models. Their use in engineering design and analysis is reviewed. The impact of these new technologies on the engineering design graphics curriculum is discussed.