What is Virtual Prototyping?
When it comes to modern product development, virtual prototyping plays a vital role in laying its foundation. The traditional methods involving software development through which a lot of software were developed and verified after completion of silicon design but it failed to meet the schedules requirement of aggressive product development. It is only after the introduction of virtual prototyping that things became quite easy as it helped the supply chain by enhancing communication and increasing the pace of software development. Virtual prototype ensures the quality of software thereby making it an appropriate choice for incessant tasks of software integration as they also offer great along with ease of deployment in the computer farms.
- Part 1: What is Virtual Prototyping
- Part 2: Benefits of Virtual Prototyping
- Part 3: Difference between Virtual and Physical Prototyping
- Part 4: The Best Online Prototype Tool
What is Virtual Prototyping (VP)?
This technology is relatively new and it uses Virtual reality as well as some other computer-based technologies for creating digital prototypes.
Definition
There is a lot of ambiguity regarding its definition as various veterans have interpreted it in different ways which has led to confusion among readers. However, the proposed definition of this term provides a better understanding. It is usually defined as a discipline based on software that involves the modeling of a system, simulating it, and also visualizing the behavior of the system under operating conditions of the real world. It then refines the design of the system by adopting an iterative process.
Role
Nowadays, it is used in the place of rapid prototyping. It carries out the tasks of testing and evaluation within a computer instead of doing it by producing a physical object. It allows the team of engineers to construct and test virtual prototypes and then is used by them for its simulation on computers, visually as well as mathematically. This technology basically works towards achieving the goals of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) such as maximizing efficiency and quality, minimizing cost and time. Unlike rapid prototyping, it doesn't require the hardware to make a prototype physically and as a result, involves less cost.
Working
Virtual Prototypes are a robust method to test elements at the component as well as the system level. These prototypes typically comprise connected component models that are written in a language of special-purpose like System C. The use of a standard language allows IP's component models from several vendors to be fitted into a virtual prototype which is apt for running software workloads in the real world. This process involves the use of CAD, CAutoD, and CAE software in order to validate any design before it is submitted for making a physical prototype.
Benefits of Virtual Prototyping
The conventional techniques are being slowly and steadily getting replaced by this technique in many industries. The benefits of this technique are manifold:
Time efficiency
The conventional process of product development used to consume a lot of time as it involved the construction of a physical prototype and then it was taken to a lab for testing. The testing process was done to discover flaws that were then re-designed or re-configured. This cycle was very time consuming and it used to cause unnecessary delays in the development schedule.
At the same time, the use of this technique has turned out to be very handy in eliminating all the unnecessary flaws from the process of design optimization. This was done by permitting design adjustments and virtual testing that helped in cutting down development costs and time.
Improvement in design quality
The conventional system involved engineering calculations which were done with the help of a spreadsheet followed by testing the prototype. But in this process, there were chances of missing some fundamental errors. The presence of these errors was found to be affecting the end result of the product thereby diminishing its quality and durability. Although, CAE does not guarantee a design that is flawless but the use of fluid flow or tools of structural simulation help engineers in test their products on a variety of yardsticks.
Better placed products
A lot of reliance on physical experimentation can limit a person's creativity. However, this technique allows engineers to execute their creative ideas by decreasing time and costs. This helps the engineers to develop a highly innovative and competitive product that can outperform other products in the market.
Difference between Physical and Virtual Prototyping
Physical prototyping is a process that involves the representation of an idea physically. This process is really helpful for designers as it allows them to interact with their creative ideas. The introduction of various prototypes has given more options to the engineers. However, if we look closely at both physical and virtual prototyping is very efficient. But there is some obvious difference between the working of both and the results they produce.
Results
Studies have shown that the results produced by both the processes are more or less similar in terms of accuracy. People often use virtual reality prototyping in place of physical prototypes as it helps engineers in validating or invalidating virtual reality prototype designs faster and at a low price.
However, building and testing a virtual prototype is far easy than a physical prototype. The former are often require less cost and also helps in reducing the uncertainty that might arise with respect to new product and this is done by permitting product testing of numerous ideas at the same time. On the other hand, it has been discovered that the use of the former process at the initial stage of design often shows poor results in terms of functionality. And the use of later process during the early stages will reduce the time involved in the design process by preventing correcting mistakes in later stages. Overall, the decision as to which prototype should be used will depend on the kind of work that is to be done.
The Best Online Prototype Tool
Various virtual prototyping tools are available in the market right now. However, the user interface of most of these tools is quite cumbersome with limited features. If you are looking for a tool with easy User Interface with a variety of features, then Wondershare Mockitt is there to help you with starting your journey in the prototyping world.
Asset Library: This feature is helpful for individuals as well as teams who wish to do work efficiently. It offers you an abundant asset that lets you use the plenitude of widgets and icons directly. You can easily manage your assets by customizing the widgets which will help you in saving time by reusing it with just one click.
Design: Wondershare Mockitt design feature is very unique because with the help of this feature you can make interface design quickly and interaction also becomes faster with it. Through this feature, you can now directly drag and import all the images. It also offers a total of 9 gestures along with 17 types of screen transition effects.
Efficient presentation and review: It lets you frame your prototype by switching to full-screen modes of presentation. You can also highlight your proposal by using demonstration modes like black and white full screen. With just one click, you can share your prototype with another person by setting passwords. The other person can also review your prototype by giving real-time feedback.
Cloud Editing: This feature is really interesting and unique as it lets you use it from a browser without having to download or install it. It increases efficiency by saving all the changes that you make to your prototype. You can get rid of file transfers that were once done manually as it lets you do this by sending a link through which others can view or edit the project and give instant feedback. It is an extremely helpful feature if you are working with a team.
Safety: Now, you don't have to worry about your data getting stolen as this system uses 128-bit SSL for data security and encryption.
