Product Surfacing has a lot to do with the virtual prototype. The outside surface is the
starting point of 3D digital design. The surfacing phase of designing a product is crucial
for asthetic reasons, as for ergonomics of the product. Endless hours of building
prototypes are loss due to product changes in the research and development department.
Most of this is due to not using a single surface to convey the point and use of the product
characteristics. From this outside surface the rest of the design can be completed, or
engineered. The great thing about 3D surfacing is that the object can be viewed from
multiple directions, and presented before the design is complete, allowing a sort of flexibility
in design and engineering. 
 
Note: 2D art is like a photograph and is limited when creating presentation pieces.