How to start

2D+3D CAD Most 3D CAD software providers encourage companies to switch

from 2D to 3D, but often the best solution is a combination of both.

FLEXIBILITY Pull a targeted list of your customers who have

1 AutoCAD but not Inventor, Product Design Suite, or
Product Design & Manufacturing Collection.

Create additional pipeline by starting a conversation with

2 those customers using the 2D+3D CAD flexibility material.

Benefit of change/positioning
Connect 2D and 3D workflows—Use the right tool for every job with an associative connection between AutoCAD and Inventor.

Reusable Flexible
Reuse existing 2D designs to generate a 3D Flexibility to produce a real DWG file—still
model using AutoCAD Electrical & Inventor routinely required in the industry—from your 3D
Inventor model

Time Savings Collaborative

Eliminate the need to remodel existing components that Collaborate more easily within your organization
may only require slight modifications by using existing because users with Inventor can open AutoCAD
2D and 3D models as the basis for future products files, and AutoCAD users can open Inventor files

Personas and Target Customers

Specifically target current AutoCAD customers who do not have Inventor or Product Design & Manufacturing Collection
licenses and who have the following roles:

MECHANICAL DESIGNER/ENGINEER ENGINEERING LEADER

BENEFITS BENEFITS

Reduce design time Free up engineering resources for new initiatives

React to design changes faster Tackle more complex development projects
Minimize errors Deliver higher customer value
Better communicate design to key stakeholders Modernize your engineering team
Develop skills for new career opportunities—3D Attract more engineering talent
modeling opens the door to learning additional
tools for simulation, visualization, CAM, and more
Tools are fully associative—adopt them at your own
pace to minimize disruption to current projects
 Probing Questions
What to ask
What role does 2D play in your workflow?
When you make changes to your 2D designs,
what does that process look like?
Do you need to create drawings to scale?
Do you use AutoCAD to read 2D files? What
happens if there are any changes? If a vendor
sends a 3D model, can you read it/use it?
How do you communicate your 2D
designs to manufacturing?
How do you currently ensure that other groups
are using the correct version of your data?
Objection handling
2D IS ALL WE NEED
Missed opportunities—I understand you need 2D.
Have you thought at all about 3D?
Save time–How often do you make design changes,
and how long do you estimate it takes to do that in
2D? We can reduce that time significantly in 3D.
Rich data—2D data is good, but it's flat. 3D data is
richer, providing detail like accurate weights and
center of gravity without hours of hand calculations
that 2D requires.
Improve efficiencies—With 3D data, you have many
more options to check for interference, perform
simulation, and leverage for downstream processes.
Position Product Design & Manufacturing Collection
—Talk about other features and software in the
collection like Inventor Nastran, Inventor CAM.
What to listen for or ask
What do you use AutoCAD for? Other non-Autodesk
solution for 3D?
Manual changes, making updates in multiple places.
They do, but it’s time consuming. Or they don’t but should.
There is rework when a design change is necessary.
Manual changes, no 3D model capability.
Do you fabricate in-house? (2D might be okay depending on
what they’re making—for example, sheet metal—but could be
inefficient otherwise.)
Emailing changes to other groups, problems created by multiple
versions of files.
WE HAVE THE COMPETITORS’ 3D CAD
Compare & contrast—What’s working well for you in
your current 3D tool? What would you like to see in
a 3D tool?
Position Product Design & Manufacturing Collection
—Talk about licensing, cost effectiveness, other
features and software in PDMC like Inventor
Nastran, Inventor CAM, and a seamless workflow
from 2D to 3D with Autodesk tools.
TOO EXPENSIVE TO RETRAIN
ROI—Is there an ROI for you saving time on your
design changes? Are you willing to look at an ROI?
Attract new talent—How do you replace experienced
people with newer talent? 3D makes your company
more attractive to new workers.
Easy transition—Inventor and other products in the
collection have a similar look and feel to AutoCAD
and the products easily communicate with each
other for an easier transition.