Design Patent Figures with 3D CAD Software

Similar to a utility patent, a proper design patent application will include (among other components) a description of the design, a claim, and one or more drawings or photographs. Since the drawing disclosure is often considered the most important element of the application, a great deal of care is generally taken when preparing the drawings. For instance, many applicants will enlist the assistance of a draftsman to prepare “formal” drawings. However, the service of a draftsman can be expensive, and we often get asked if there are alternative ways to prepare drawings. In particular, the question is often raised: can 3D CAD images, such as those prepared with SolidWorks, be used to satisfy the drawing requirement? Follow the jump for an answer and analysis.