software solidThinking

solidThinking

solidThinking, Inc. develops and markets industrial design/styling software that helps designers invent, explore and evaluate new ideas easily, rapidly and cost-effectively, without the limitations of traditional software. Known as one of the most user centric design/styling software programs for industrial designers worldwide, solid-Thinking is the first software of its kind to run on both Windows and Mac operating systems. It can exchange data quickly and efficiently
with any CAD/CAM system, thereby improving collaboration between industrial designers and engineers, and accelerating the product development cycle. solidThinking is a wholly owned subsidiary of Altair Engineering.

The Evolution of Product Design
Industrial design software is becoming increasingly important as a means to streamline the workflow from concept to new-product introduction by enabling more users to leverage 3D models across product design, marketing, manufacturing and sales. Gartner Research Director Marc Halpern

Due to globalization, the product design marketplace has become increasingly competitive; and, as a result, differentiation is not easy to achieve. The fact that a product functions very well is not enough today to ensure its success. Its shape, size, colors, materials, graphics and other design elements must fit in with the consumers needs and self-concept. Style no longer can be an afterthought whether the product is a cell phone, a kitchen appliance, an automobile or a students notebook. Consumers assume that every competing product functions well enough and increasingly make their purchasing decisions based on how well the design of the product fits with their personalities, lifestyles and other coordinated products.

This means that the role of the industrial designer has been elevated considerably in todays ever-changing global market. Rather than layering style on top of function, companies now understand that the designer must begin impacting the product in its earliest stages of development.

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