GrabCAD, the Boston-based startup that brings members of the mechanical engineering community together, has added a 3D view which it hopes will make it easier for designers to share their efforts with both clients and colleagues.

Due to the expense and effort that is required to create full physical models or 3D print outs of CAD-generated renders, they’re regularly shown to clients in more traditional formats, i.e. drawings, screen-shots or even Powerpoint presentations. While this may keep costs down, this presents a problem of its own, in that the client often doesn’t get the full effect of what the designer is hoping to create.

The 3D view does away with the need for stuffy Powerpoint presentations and inaccurate mock-ups. Not only can clients see the 3D model in all its glory on their screen, GrabCAD’s new functionality should also prove to be a boon for engineers who want to share models among themselves, either for feedback or for collaborative purposes. The open source sharing will cut down significantly on the need for duplication, freeing users up to spend more time on their designs.

GrabCAD CEO Hardi Meybaum said. “This is the first time a customer can actually see the 3D model on their computer. Our vision is that by doing that the engineer will get faster feedback from the customer and everyone will benefit from better physical products.”

As 3D design becomes an ever more sophisticated and impressive discipline, the required CAD skills are contributing to a healthy rise of available IT jobs in the UK, advertised by engineering and manufacturing firms who are looking for elegant solutions to difficult design issues. The ability to not only create 3D models easily but also share them with little difficulty should make GrabCAD a more attractive prospect for mechanical engineers and designers.

GrabCAD has managed to attract a community following of over 250,000, rocketing up from 70,000 this January. With the improved functionality of 3D view, the startup hopes to increase its membership that is made up of engineers from all around the world who are drawn to exchange ideas, ask questions and discuss prospects for collaborative CAD jobs. Hardi Meybaum said that they are working on a new product that will aid in the collaborative process:

“We believe that the process of building physical products is not efficient and [is] isolated. We are currently building a collaboration product that gathers engineers, customers and manufacturers in one place and makes the collaboration more efficient.”