How does elevator design software differ from 3D cabin presentation software?

3D technology appears at many stages of the elevator industry, from engineering design and product modelling to introducing products and advising customers. But not every tool that uses a 3D model serves the same purpose. Software that helps an engineer produce drawings has different requirements from a tool that lets a buyer look at a cabin on a website. Telling the two apart helps a company choose the right tool for the job.

Elevator design software

This is a general term for tools that support designing and developing elevator systems. Depending on the scope of work, they are used to produce drawings, build mechanical models, describe structure or design related components. AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS and Autodesk Inventor are examples of CAD and engineering modelling software used for this specialist work.

This group is typically used to produce engineering drawings and models, record the construction and dimensions of parts, support mechanical design, and serve technical exchange during product development. The main users are engineers, design departments and related specialist staff.

3D cabin presentation software

3D cabin presentation software is aimed at buyers and sales staff. Instead of drawings and technical construction, it helps users look at the shape, space and finishing options of a cabin. A tool like this usually lets users rotate the model, zoom in, view the interior, change colours or materials among the supported options, and embed the result in a company website.

Comparison by criteria

The two groups may use the same data or 3D models in different workflows, but they cannot replace each other.

When you need which

You need engineering design software when the goal is to produce drawings, develop components, record specifications or support the engineering team's work. The choice depends on the type of work, the accuracy required, the production process and compatibility with the systems already in use.

You need a 3D cabin presentation tool when the goal is to let buyers look at and explore the product. It suits a company with many cabin colour and material options, one that often presents design options to buyers, one that wants an interactive experience on its website, one that needs a visual aid for sales staff, or one that wants to present products with a model instead of still images alone. Here the tool's value lies in making the cabin easier to view and try, not in producing drawings.

Should you use both

The two jobs complement each other. Design tools serve the development and finishing of the product. Presentation tools serve getting product images and options to buyers. A company can use design tools in its engineering process and use a 3D presentation model to introduce products on its website and in consultations. Whether a model can be reused between the two kinds of tool should be confirmed with each supplier.

Which group Liftmira belongs to

Liftmira belongs to the presentation group. It is a Comnosoft product. Liftmira builds digital experiences for elevator manufacturers' and dealers' websites, so buyers can configure and walk through their exact cabin before they sign. Liftmira does not produce engineering drawings. The actions a user can take on the model are in What is Liftmira?, and you can see them in the demo.

Conclusion

If you need engineering design, choose a tool built for that work. If you need buyers to view and try cabin options on a website, choose an interactive 3D presentation tool. What is elevator 3D software? gives the wider picture across all three groups of tools.

See the Liftmira demo