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24C-016 525557-ChooseCADMonitorGuideChoose the Best Type of Monitor for CAD When you consistently spend long hours working at a computer monitor, the details matter: adjustability, size, and resolution can affect your comfort and productivity. But with new technologies increasing the number of options available, it can be difficult to determine what would suit you best. To help you select the right monitor for your needs, representatives from four manufacturers discuss the most important considerations for CAD users. Choose the Best Type of Monitor for CAD When selecting a new monitor, you may quickly become overwhelmed by options. Experts from four vendors share their knowledge to simplify your search. It’s an essential part of your workday, and you spend long hours staring at it — and no, it’s not the doughnut box in the break- room. We’re talking about the window to your work: your computer monitor. The importance of a good monitor is obvious. Whether you’re looking at 2D or 3D CAD designs, complex simulation results, pho- torealistic renderings, or a simple spreadsheet, it’s crucial that you can see details clearly, multitask as needed, and make it through the day without exhausting your eyes. But deciding on a particular model is not as clear-cut. Although some elements are nearly universal now — you’ll very likely be buy- ing a liquid-crystal display (LCD) monitor with an in-plane switch- ing (IPS) panel and light-emitting diode (LED) backlighting — some are not. Viewing technology is changing rapidly; for example, it seems like there’s a new level of definition, and corresponding acronym, every time you turn around. To help you choose the right monitor for your needs, representatives from four monitor manu- facturers — BenQ, Lenovo, NEC Display Solutions, and ViewSonic — shared their perspectives on the most important considerations for CAD users. The Magic Number: How Many Monitors? Although single-monitor setups are common, many professional users increase their digital desktop size by turning to two moni- tors — or more. Some split a single CAD or other application across multiple screens; others prefer to use one screen for CAD, and oth- ers for office applications, simulation software, etc. But what’s the right number for you? “This can depend on each user’s own preference,” said Kenneth Mau, senior product marketing manager for displays/monitors at ViewSonic. “A multi-display setup is getting more and more popu- lar for the [increased] productivity.” Chris Wang, product marketing manager for BenQ, said, “It’s better to have two monitors to boost productivity. A high-resolution mon- itor for the user interface (UI) gives CAD professionals more work space so that they can arrange more tools on the panel and draw lines with more precision. The second option to consider is [adding] a high–color accuracy monitor for rendering previews, and [being] From the editors of For more than 30 years, Cadalyst has delivered insight and advice to help our readers optimize the software and hardware that power the CAD workflow. Choose the Best Type of Monitor for CAD 3 able to modify the artwork with greater ease on another screen at the same time.” Wang continued, “The user can save by purchasing a QHD [quad- HD] display as a second monitor. Although color decays on LEDs, CAD professionals can still keep these displays for UI or drawing, and spend a bit more on a color-accurate monitor for applications that require more precision. So there’s no need to spend on two higher-priced displays.” Not all users are moving to multi-monitor setups; some are choos- ing bigger instead of more. The increasing affordability of larger monitors may be affecting this decision. “Lately, the display trend has been shifting from dual 24" displays toward larger, single panels like 27" or larger,” observed Rodrigo Mancilla, ThinkStation product manager for Lenovo. Selecting Size and Shape Monitor size is measured diagonally, from one corner of the view- ing area to the opposite corner. Aspect ratio is the relationship between the horizontal and vertical dimensions, expressed as h:v. The combination of these two factors dictates how much visual real estate you have to work with. “I would recommend 27" or larger,” said Mau. “Generally, 16:9 is a great aspect ratio; however, some users might prefer the ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio for their monitors.” Wang also recommended at least a 27" screen size. “The 0.2331- mm pixel pitch and 27" monitor size fit a general desktop space. However, if users have larger real state, they can choose a 32" display, perhaps even at 4K resolution,” said Wang. Art Marshall, senior product manager for desktop displays at NEC Display Solutions, pointed out that orientation matters as well: “Displays with pivot functions [that allow users to rotate them 90°] »A 27” screen size and 16:9 aspect ratio, demonstrated here by the Lenovo ThinkVision P27 ($579), are dimensions that will meet the needs of many CAD users. ”There’s no need to spend on two higher-priced displays” Choose the Best Type of Monitor for CAD 4 work well for designers who work on architecture and other verti- cal designs, so that the largest resolution can be vertical.” When deciding on the number and size of monitors, keep in mind the limitations of your workspace. Will your monitor need space on your desk or be wall-mounted? How close do you sit to the screen? Factor in form factor. For units larger than 27", a curved screen can help you take in the full width of the screen without constantly moving your head side-to-side like someone watching a tennis match. It can also limit the viewing angle, however, and some users who are used to flat screens find it annoying. In an ideal world, you would always evaluate a monitor in person before you buy, but doing so is especially important if you’re considering a curved model. Angling for a Good View In normal use, the monitor surface and the user are arranged perpendicularly. The viewing angle indicates how far you can stray before the image becomes too dark, blurry, faint, etc. to see. “Wide viewing angles are desirable, especially in environments where a CAD designer may want to share work with a colleague,” Marshall pointed out. Although the primary user will usually sit directly in front of the monitor, additional collaborators will have to sit off to the side, or stand over the owner’s shoulder and look down on the monitor. “Wide viewing angles (typically 178°/178°) are a must, so users have a strong preference toward IPS panels, which becomes even more relevant the larger the size of the display,” explained Mancilla. “A wide viewing angle is ideal for previewing and reviewing ren- derings without color shift,” Wang noted. Mau observed, “A wider viewing angle (178°/178°) is always pre- ferred, and is also a relatively common spec in the segment.” »A curved form factor can make it easier to take in the entirety of a large, wide screen, such as the 34" MultiSync EX341R ($999) from NEC Display Solutions, which has a 21:9 aspect ratio. ”Wide viewing angles are a must, so users have a strong preference toward IPS panels” Choose the Best Type of Monitor for CAD 5 Don’t spend time on response time. This is the amount of time it takes for pixels in the display to change in response to input, mea- sured in milliseconds (ms). Long response times can cause blurring of images, but speeds on modern monitors are fast enough that “response time is not a real concern,” as Wang put it. Mancilla confirmed, “Response time is not as relevant as before since all new displays have very good performance for static and video applications.” Mau believes, “Response time between 4ms and 7ms should be fine for most users, as response time is not the most critical spec/ feature for CAD/CAM applications.” Curb Your Resolution Enthusiasm Resolution describes how many columns and rows of pixels make up the display, typically written as width (number of lines of pixels counted from side to side) x height (counted top to bottom). The technology has moved far beyond high definition (HD); quad-HD (QHD) and even ultra-high-definition (UHD; also called 4K) models are widely available. QHD, defined as 2,560x1,440 pixels at a 16x9 aspect ratio, has four times the pixels of HD. This standard is often recommended over higher resolutions such as UHD, because when it comes to CAD, the increases that are supposed to make things clearer can actually make them harder to see. Greater pixel density increases sharp- ness, but it can also make icons, menus, and other essentials appear smaller. “The excitement about high pixel density has clearly decelerated, as more users … realize that 4K resolution makes readability very difficult when workflows are intensive in text as well as images (e.g., control panels and menus). There is no doubt that this is not an issue when using a very large display (over 32"), but the new sweet spot has moved from 24" class Full HD (1920x1080) to 27" class QHD (2,560x1,440), since it offers a great balance between panel cost, display real estate, pixel density, and readability,” said Mancilla. “For CAD users, there seems to be a clear agreement on 4K panels not making sense for displays smaller than 32" due to text read- ability issues. Even though there have been major improvements in resolution scaling, it is still not ideal for most users,” he continued. Some CAD software developers have made adjustments enabling the UI to scale appropriately for higher monitor resolutions. Others haven’t, so check the details of your particular applications. Connections and Comfort When you’re deciding on a monitor, it’s easy to get caught up in specs and overlook the human factor. Be sure that your monitor is comfortable for you to use, so you don’t suffer unnecessary eye- strain, headaches, or neck pain. “Users should choose a monitor that works for them ergonomically, ensuring the monitor fits with their work style and desk setting,” said Mau. ”The excitement about high pixel density has clearly decelerated” ”Response time is not the most critical spec/feature for CAD/CAM applications” Choose the Best Type of Monitor for CAD 6 Mancilla advised, “Ergonomics are extremely important, since a CAD user will likely spend several hours [per day] looking at the screen. [Opt for] multiple adjustments of the monitor stand (height, tilt, rotation, and pivot), as well as professional-grade panels (wide viewing angles, brightness levels calibrated to office use, etc.).” If you ever use the monitor in dim or dark environments, look for bias lighting to reduce contrast between the viewing area and the darkened room. If your workspace is bright and glare is a concern, you may prefer a matte screen to a glossy one. (There are also inex- pensive aftermarket products that address these issues.) Some users find the light from the monitor itself to be a source of discomfort over time. Mau pointed out that some monitors feature blue light–filtering technology, to help reduce eyestrain linked to that particular wavelength. Ports of importance. As Mancilla noted, “Connectivity is crucial, so access to USB ports and multiple inputs (e.g., DisplayPort, HDMI, etc.) would allow the user to take as much advantage as possible from the display.” Marshall confirmed, “Most modern computers include either DisplayPort or HDMI outputs, so designers should look for that connectivity to get the higher resolutions common in the current market.” Mau said, “Connectors are based on the preference of the users’ system, but we see that HDMI and DisplayPort (regular and/or mini) are getting to be more standard. These are also considered ‘future- proof’ connectors, as is USB 3.1 Type-C.” Wang also recommended support for USB Type-C, especially for professionals who use a laptop outside the office and connect it to their desktop monitor when they return. Specialized Visual Workflow Needs What about those professionals involved in creating renderings of CAD designs, printing product visualizations, or any similar tasks? “If CAD professionals are working on product design or areas where colors are important, [they need] a color-critical display with high resolution,” said Marshall. “Monitors like this can more accu- rately represent real-world colors than less expensive displays.” Wang said, “For rendering, CAD professionals need a color- accurate monitor that is calibrated in the factory and is equipped with the hardware calibration tools that ensure color accuracy.” Mancilla explained, “Color calibration will be certainly important for printing requirements. This can be done by using industry- standard external calibrators (e.g., X-Rite’s ColorMunki or i1Display Pro), without the need to invest in very expensive displays with integrated color calibration (required in some industries such as medical imaging or graphic design). High color gamut is becoming a desired feature, and certainly something that must be there if color calibration is required. ”Most modern computers include either DisplayPort or HDMI outputs, so designers should look for that connectivity” Choose the Best Type of Monitor for CAD 7 “For rendering workflows, it’s also important to understand what the target media will be. For instance, web visualization is highly compressed and designed to work on multiple types of mobile devices; therefore color calibration might make zero difference there,” Mancilla continued. Lifespan Expectations You may have heard that workstation manufacturers recommend an upgrade every three years. When it comes to monitors, there is more variation in recommendations; the unit may still be perfectly functional after that amount of time, but technologies are evolv- ing so rapidly that available performance improvements may call for an upgrade. “As technology continues to improve, customers should be look- ing at 3–5 years for replacing monitors. Multiple factors impact this decision, including native resolution, panel size, and energy con- sumption. LED panels don’t suffer from the same color/brightness degradation as the first LCD/TFT panels did, which allows users to enjoy higher reliability for a longer period of time,” said Mancilla. “Monitors do have a pretty long lifecycle, so [the amount of time between upgrades] really depends on the requirements of the CAD/CAM applications,” said Mau. “In terms of lifecycle, professional-grade displays are lasting longer, and displays designed for CAD environments should feature at least a 3-year warranty in order to safeguard the larger investment required for the necessary features,” Marshall said. Wang also noted the importance of warranty length: “Three years is typically the lifecycle of a monitor. However, CAD users can buy extra warranties to ensure a longer lifecycle.” When comparing models, keep an eye on warranty details. Hope- fully your new monitor will give you years of flawless service, but know how the manufacturer will resolve issues, should they arise. ©2017 Longitude Media, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher. »Be sure that the monitors you’re considering support the connection types you use, and that the ports are conveniently located if you’ll be accessing them frequently. The dock that forms the base of the BenQ PD2710QC ($599) has ports on the side and back. ”Displays designed for CAD environments should feature at least a 3-year warranty”