© 2004 SAAB Design and Alias
The SAAB 93: An Integrated Approach to Design
When SAAB® introduced its new 93 Convertible at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show it was enthusiastically received by press and public alike. There is something different about this car, something behind its flowing curves and this is the story of the process by which it was designed.
The SAAB 93 Convertible and the 93 Sports Saloon were designed entirely in Alias® StudioTools®, something that SAAB feel sets them apart from the competition. Used by every major automotive manufacturer throughout the world, StudioTools is the leading design software for automotive design and styling. SAAB’s design team uses StudioTools to sketch and model. The team also uses an Alias sister product, Maya®, for visualization, to form an integrated approach to production.
Inside & Outside Fully Surfaced with Design Tool
The design process at SAAB begins with the initial sketch modeling of the car design carried out in StudioTools. From this sketch model a 1/3rd scale model measuring 1 to 1.5 meters in length of the car is milled in clay.
“StudioTools speeds up the design process considerably and produces quality data but we still like to see the design in clay,” says Thomas Sahlin, Head of Technical Design at SAAB. “If we make some adjustments to the clay model it is immediately scanned back into StudioTools so the refinement process becomes very efficient.
“We use StudioTools to a much greater extent than our competitors,” Sahlin continues. “The quality of data it produces means we can use it for all our surface definition work for both the exterior and interior of the car. We can take this data and use it right through the production process from the early sketching to the milling of production tools. For instance, all visible surfaces of the 93 Sports Saloon were produced in StudioTools and that’s something that hasn’t been done before.”
Lifelike Animations Help Sell the Concept
Once the design has been finalized the technical team calls on its digital visualization team to produce animated presentations of the car using Maya®. The 3D data from StudioTools is transferred to Maya where the team makes animations of the car and places it into pre-filmed environments. These visualizations help the technical team to sell the design to the board at SAAB.
“We use Maya to show the car in its natural environment, driving around a city, in the country or along side competitors’ cars to give it proportions and show its behavior,” explains Sahlin. “Showing the car like this gives the design new dimensions and really helps us to make decisions about the direction we are going to take. The animation team also produces sweeps of the car showing doors opening and closing, for example, really giving a good overall view of the design.”
This kind of animation is also used to place concept cars in a real-world environment. For example SAAB produced a film of the 9X concept car using Maya and a filmed live action environment to show on a big screen at the SAAB stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The pre-visualization process also produces still images of the car. These images show all angles of the automobile, both interior and exterior. The animation visualization team can produce close ups of certain features on the car and these images are then used in promotional and educational material for the network of SAAB dealerships throughout the world. That process keeps the sales staff fully informed about a new car months before it reaches the show room.
Consistent Data from First Sketch to Final Production
Once the design has been finalized and approved, the final model is produced and the technical surfacing work is carried out in AutoStudioTM. Flanges are added and the final quality surface data is ready for use in the rest of the production process.
“We use StudioTools because the quality of surface data it produces is very good and we trust it 100 percent. It is this quality of data that allows us to use it right through the production process. We go from StudioTools through to Unigraphics without an extra step in between. This has allowed us to phase out the use of Catia and Strim and this is where we feel we have the advantage over our competitors,” says Sahlin.
The Unigraphics format is used by the engineers at SAAB who tool the machines. All of the surfacing is completed in StudioTools and then the data produced from StudioTools is used directly to set-up the machine tools on the production line, which again has added advantages.
“The quality of surface we achieve means the data can be sent to our tool makers who are actually based in Japan. We completely trust the data and there is very rarely any need for adjustment. If the tool makers have to make adjustments by hand then this information can’t be stored and if the tools have to be remade at anytime then it is hard to do, but if you trust your data 100% to start with then this situation is avoided.”
SAAB Uses Digital Assets To Stay Ahead of Its Competitors
The SAAB 93 Sports Saloon was the first car that SAAB produced entirely in StudioTools using an integrated approach to the data produced -- the same technique used in the design and production of SAAB’s newest model, the 93 Convertible. The technical design team at SAAB feels that working with StudioTools in this way gives it real competitive advantage in the marketplace.
The process provides greater efficiency, saves time and reduces costs. It provides them with data they can really trust, that needs very little adjustment and that can be used with confidence through the entire production process. The two full time animators on the visualization team produce valuable supporting material in Maya that again uses the same data produced in StudioTools.
“The fact that we produce quality surfaces using just one package gives us a great advantage. We cut out the need to transfer data between programs, a need that is always problematic. Our approach to the design and production process has smoothed the whole cycle allowing us to easily modify the design in all stages, use the data for visualization and finally take that data right through the production process -- saving us time and increasing our efficiency,” concludes Sahlin.
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July 13, 2004
Renault Design
Renault Design Combines Alias Tools and Physical Models to Create the Optimum Design Process.
July 9, 2004
NANCO DATA AB today reported that Antycip is taking over NANCO’s unit for realtime simulation for the defence market.
July 5, 2004
Nissan Design adopt ICEM Surf for surface data development
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July 5, 2004
ICEM begins customer shipments of the latest version of its surface modelling, analysis and visualisation software suite.
June 29, 2004
The SAAB 93: An Integrated Approach to Design
When SAAB® introduced its new 93 Convertible at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show it was enthusiastically received by press and public alike.
June 16, 2004
Acquisition of Alias Completed
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan partners with Accel-KKR as Acquisition is Finalized
Alias Poised For Future Growth as an Independent Company.
June 14
RTT RealView now available
June 14
RTT Software sales
June 14
Change of name: RTT Deja View is now RTT DeltaView
June 14
RTT Presenter 1.1
Following steps are planned for the release 1.1, coming end of June...
June 14
RTT DeltaGen Patches for Download
All customers with a valid maintenance contract from now on have the possibility to download patches for RTT Software.
June 3, 2004
Alias SketchBook Pro Now Available for Mac OS X
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June 1, 2004
CUSTOMER DESIGN SUCCESS:
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Sony Ericsson has recieved a number of design awards for their successful model T610. The latest beeing the Grand Designprice (transl. from "Stora Designpriset"), of The Association of Swedish Engineering Industries.
May 18, 2004
Three New Courses for Design in StudioTools
Introduction to StudioTools, Conceptual Modelling and Production Modelling for Design.
May 14, 2004
ICEM’s first User Group conference in Japan rounds off successful 2004 world-wide series
Increased attendances and more venues mark growing popularity of the events.
May 13, 2004
ICEM Surf helps SsangYong slash design development time for new Rexton sport utility vehicle
Surface modelling, analysis and visualisation software brings 60% time saving.
May 13, 2004
Hero Global Design
India’s leading motorcycles manufacturer selects ICEM Surf to aid its new venture with Aprilia of Italy.
April 22, 2004
Alias Launches U.S. and Canada Seminar Tour
For Automotive and Industrial Design Students and Instructors
April 1, 2004
Renault has selected ICEM Surf software
French automotive manufacturer selects ICEM’s industry-leading surface modelling, analysis and visualisation software following successful pilot project.
March 29, 2004
Rhino 3.0 promotion
Purchase 'Rhino 3.0' bundled with the tuturial CD 'Rhino Visual Tips CD'.
March 23, 2004
StudioTools 11.0.2
Software update
March 15, 2004
Alias Reveals the Grand Prize Winners of Expose Yourself Contest
Alias, Microsoft, Intel, PC Mall, Acer and Wacom Wrap Up the First Ever Expose Yourself
March 9, 2004
ICEM Style
ICEM Style is a revolutionary new software package for product styling and design ideation.
March 9, 2004
Alias® StudioTools® 11 and Alias ImageStudio™ earn a Five Star rating
March 3, 2004
Alias Releases Data Exchange Tool for CATIA V5
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March 2, 2004
ICEM 4.4
ICEM announces availability of latest version of its leading surface modelling, analysis and visualisation software suite, ICEM 4.4
March 2, 2004
ICEM launches ICEM Style
– a revolutionary new software package for product styling and design ideation.
March 2, 2004
ICEM’s Latest surface modelling software suite supports 3Dconnexion’s motion controllers
March 1, 2004
New tutorial CD:
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An advanced tutorial CD by Gijs de Zwart
February 16, 2004
ICEM User Meeting 2004 Europe
22-24 March, Radisson SAS Hotel, Cologne, Germany
February 12, 2004
Alias in Acquisition Talks with Private Equity Firm
February 9, 2004
Skoda’s Roomster concept car comes to life with the aid of ICEM Surf.
February 4, 2004
RTT Presenter & RTT DeltaGen 4.0
February 3, 2004
Successfull introduction of RTT DeltaGen
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February 2, 2004
Alias Announces First Round Winners of the Expose Yourself Contest
January 26, 2004
ICEM appoints new business partner to expand its business in the Confederation of Independent States (CIS)
January 22, 2004
RTT Conference
April 1st/2nd 2004, Munich/Ettal
January 21, 2004
ICEM expands its Middle East software sales and support facilities
GES appointed ICEM business partner for automotive industry in United Arab Emirates and other Middle East countries.
January 12, 2004
NANCO DATA AB introduces RTT DeltaGen in Scandinavia
Virtual Reality at an affordable price! Seeing is believing!
Come and see us February 3rd, 2004.
» 2003 News Archive
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