Parametric design is one of the most powerful capabilities of modern CAD software. It allows designers and engineers to modify the shape, geometry, and behavior of a model simply by changing dimensional values or parameters. With SolidFace Parametric 2.0, this process becomes faster, more predictable, and significantly easier to manage.
The core advantage of parametric modeling lies in automation. When a dimension is modified, SolidFace automatically recalculates and updates the entire model, preserving design intent and saving valuable engineering time.
What Is Parametric Design?
Parametric design is a modeling approach in which dimensions, constraints, and relationships define how a model behaves. Instead of manually adjusting every feature, the designer controls the model through parameters that drive geometry updates consistently across the design.
Before parametric modeling became standard, modifying a single dimension often required extensive manual rework. Today, parametric systems like SolidFace allow changes to propagate automatically through the entire model.
The Parametric Design Process
In a parametric workflow, the designer creates sketches and features that are connected through logical relationships. SolidFace actively manages these relationships using a structured history tree, enabling complex models to be edited, reordered, or expanded without breaking design integrity.
This approach not only improves efficiency but also ensures that designs are easier to understand, maintain, and reuse by other team members.
Parametric Modeling vs. Direct Modeling
Modern CAD systems typically support two complementary modeling approaches: parametric modeling and direct modeling.
Parametric modeling relies on sketches, constraints, and features driven by parameters. It is ideal for engineering-driven designs where precision, repeatability, and downstream changes are expected.
Direct modeling allows designers to modify geometry by pushing, pulling, or reshaping surfaces without relying on a feature history. This method is especially useful for late-stage edits or when working with imported geometry.
SolidFace combines both approaches in a single environment, allowing users to leverage the strengths of each method as needed.
From Parametric 1.0 to Parametric 2.0
Early parametric systems (often referred to as Parametric 1.0) introduced powerful concepts but came with limitations. Complex dependency chains, unstable in-context relationships, and difficult-to-manage configurations often led to broken models and unpredictable results.
SolidFace Parametric 2.0 addresses these challenges with a more robust, flexible, and user-friendly parameterization system. Relationships are managed intelligently, reducing the risk of unexpected geometry failures.
Advanced Capabilities of SolidFace Parametric 2.0
SolidFace provides a complete set of parametric tools that support sketches, extrusions, fillets, shells, and advanced features. Models update automatically when parameters are edited, reordered, added, or removed.
Parametric behavior is also fully integrated into motion simulation, ensuring that changes in dimensions are reflected instantly during kinematic analysis.
Managed In-Context Parametric Design
In assembly environments, in-context design allows components to reference one another. While this can be risky in older CAD systems, SolidFace offers controlled in-context relationships that maintain stability and predictability.
Designers can safely modify parent components and assemblies without causing unintended changes, enabling confident top-down design workflows.
Configurations Made Simple
Configurations allow designers to create multiple variations of a part by defining different parameter sets. SolidFace simplifies configuration management by allowing compact, easy-to-read configuration tables instead of large, error-prone spreadsheets.
This makes it easy to reuse designs across different products, sizes, or assemblies while maintaining a single source of truth.
Multi-Part Parametric Design
SolidFace streamlines multi-part parametric design by allowing related components to be treated as a single design operation. This reduces file complexity and simplifies history management while preserving full parametric control.
Parametric Design and Standard Content
SolidFace includes intelligent handling of standard components such as fasteners. Automated placement and adaptive behavior ensure that changes propagate correctly throughout assemblies without manual constraint management.
Combined with SolidFace Collaboration, teams can share standard content libraries and parametric models globally, improving consistency and productivity.
Why Choose SolidFace Parametric 2.0?
Parametric modeling with SolidFace enables flexible, reusable designs, faster development cycles, and reduced time from concept to production. It supports manufacturing, construction, and product development workflows with precision and reliability.
By unifying parametric and direct modeling, simulation, configuration management, and collaboration, SolidFace delivers a modern CAD environment built for today’s engineering challenges.
Conclusion
Relying on outdated CAD systems limits innovation and efficiency. SolidFace Parametric 2.0 offers a modern, stable, and intuitive approach to parametric modeling—empowering teams to design smarter, collaborate better, and deliver high-quality results faster.
