Solidworks

[Struth]

Who is using it out there and does it match Autocad in a professional sense. Can it create DXF files for example.

Or is it just a program for creating pretty little 3D views.

I need a drawing program and hyave had Solidworks recommended to me, what do you guys think?

Cheers

[WICKED]

I have it, I love it!
I don't know about dxf but used properly it can be a very good program.

[Struth]

Thanks, just been checking some of their ntutorial vids and it looks good, just want to check it out more and get feedback.

[-Scott-]

Who is using it out there and does it match Autocad in a professional sense. Can it create DXF files for example.

Or is it just a program for creating pretty little 3D views.

I need a drawing program and hyave had Solidworks recommended to me, what do you guys think?

Cheers

I haven't used Solidworks professionally, but I've used ProEngineer and AutoCAD, and (a few years back) worked my way through Solidworks tutorials using a trial license.

ProEngineer created DXF files, and I'd be very surprised if Solidworks wouldn't.

My current employer is considering purchasing a parametric 3D modeling package for what we do. After my experience with Autodesk support in Adelaide I'm not interested in looking at any of their products, but will definitely be looking at ProEngineer (or whatever it's called now), Solidworks and Solid Edge.

[raptorthumper]

Yep it can and it's got good sheetmetal capabilities. Easy to learn and I recomend it too.

I use all these 3 CAD packages - Solidworks, Pro/Engineer (now called Creo) and AutoCAD.

_

[SuperiorEngineering]

We use it.
mick

Daily aupdates at -http://www.facebook.com/pages/Superior- ... 9670614605

[Petes]

I use it every day too. It's excellent.

Will send you a pm.

[KiwiBacon]

I've been using it for 13 years now.
It works, gets the job done and has good functionality. 2D DXF's are pretty basic, even free cad packages can do that. 3D DXF can't be done by solidworks directly though, I use a third party program for situations where a 3D DXF is necessary.
The bug count and attitude of solidworks corp and resellers can be something else entirely. If you are enquiring about a new license, ask them for the fine print about Home User Licenses for the asia-pacific region.

Solidworks vs Inventor. I'd say it's a wash. People who use Inventor moan just as much about Inventor as Solidworks users moan about Solidworks. If you have more than one seat I'd suggest a foot in each camp, that way you won't have all your users experiencing the same upgrade bugs at the same time. I'm thinking of Pro-E if I need another seat in the future.

[-Scott-]

Yep it can and it's got good sheetmetal capabilities. Easy to learn and I recomend it too.

I use all these 3 CAD packages - Solidworks, Pro/Engineer (now called Creo) and AutoCAD.

Slight hijack:

Which has the most user-friendly sheet metal capabilities - Solidworks, or Creo?

We primarily need 3D for sheetmetal design, and doing it in vanilla AutoCAD (not Mechanical, not Inventor of any kind) really sucks. As does local Autodesk support.

I used to do sheetmetal design in ProE (2000i & Wildfire 2) and thought it was great - really powerful, and user-friendly. I've also read (somewhere - but don't think it was promotional stuff for ProE) that ProE/Creo has "the best" sheetmetal capabilities - whatever that means.

So: I want a package that will enable me to create a 3D model (for a top level assembly) and then unfold it for a dxf for the lasercutter (yes, I know bending allowances are an issue).

So - Creo, Solidworks or Solid Edge? Sorry, not interested in an Autodesk product.

[ISUZUROVER]

I've been using it for 13 years now.
It works, gets the job done and has good functionality. 2D DXF's are pretty basic, even free cad packages can do that. 3D DXF can't be done by solidworks directly though, I use a third party program for situations where a 3D DXF is necessary.
The bug count and attitude of solidworks corp and resellers can be something else entirely. If you are enquiring about a new license, ask them for the fine print about Home User Licenses for the asia-pacific region.

Solidworks vs Inventor. I'd say it's a wash. People who use Inventor moan just as much about Inventor as Solidworks users moan about Solidworks. If you have more than one seat I'd suggest a foot in each camp, that way you won't have all your users experiencing the same upgrade bugs at the same time. I'm thinking of Pro-E if I need another seat in the future.

Dougal - could you use Blender (open licence) for all the stuff you do?
http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/features/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I thought you would get good support since the local (AU) solidworks guy drives a Landrover...

[KiwiBacon]

Dougal - could you use Blender (open licence) for all the stuff you do?
http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/features/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I thought you would get good support since the local (AU) solidworks guy drives a Landrover...

I've only had a hack around with Blender, but it's the sheet-metal, weldment and drawing functionality that all the "art modelling" programs miss out on. Ironically it's these features that give me the biggest headaches with bugs in the software. Calling up support and being told "yes we know about that bug, it's reported fixed, but isn't fixed, how about you spend another $4k for subscription and hope it's fixed in next years release" get's a little old.

I sent Mr Simpson a solidworks model of a coil spring front axle and radius arms for a 3/4 link project. Not sure how he's going with that.

[bru21]

Have you guys used bend tech for sheet metal?

[hulsty]

Support wise and tutorials I have found Siemens NX pretty good, the local support guy has been quick to assist with any issues and the tutorials available are comprehensive. I do not do any sheet modelling though.

[RO8M]

Well I like inventor... even if -Scott- doesn't (like their support)... We have very few probs with bugs etc. (except with SAP integration,whole other story...)

I run Inventor 2010 full time, on pretty much all sheet metal stuff. (plus i've had a dabble with pretty-looking stuff... see here: http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic ... 4&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Just throwing it in there.

[raptorthumper]

Slight hijack:

Which has the most user-friendly sheet metal capabilities - Solidworks, or Creo?

We primarily need 3D for sheetmetal design, and doing it in vanilla AutoCAD (not Mechanical, not Inventor of any kind) really sucks. As does local Autodesk support.

I used to do sheetmetal design in ProE (2000i & Wildfire 2) and thought it was great - really powerful, and user-friendly. I've also read (somewhere - but don't think it was promotional stuff for ProE) that ProE/Creo has "the best" sheetmetal capabilities - whatever that means.

So: I want a package that will enable me to create a 3D model (for a top level assembly) and then unfold it for a dxf for the lasercutter (yes, I know bending allowances are an issue).

So - Creo, Solidworks or Solid Edge? Sorry, not interested in an Autodesk product.

Scott
Ease of use, the answer is Solidworks, because solidworks is easier to learn for new 3D users. But from a capability and performance viewpoint its Pro/E (Creo). Pro/E is more capable and has more advanced sheetmetal functions. Realistically, solidworks is a mid range CAD product wheras Creo is a top end CAD package.

[Struth]

Thanks for the info guys, how much are these programs worth, are they buy outright or did I hear annual licence/subscriptions for some of them.

Cheers

[KiwiBacon]

To afford a real "high end" CAD package you need to be making cars, planes, ships or trains.

Solidworks used to range in NZ from $NZ10k upwards. I paid $NZ20k plus GST for mine, if you live in the US it is a massive amount cheaper.

[Struth]

To afford a real "high end" CAD package you need to be making cars, planes, ships or trains.

Solidworks used to range in NZ from $NZ10k upwards. I paid $NZ20k plus GST for mine, if you live in the US it is a massive amount cheaper.

Holy shite, autocad may have to do then, that is bullshit money for a drawing package.

[-Scott-]

To afford a real "high end" CAD package you need to be making cars, planes, ships or trains.

Solidworks used to range in NZ from $NZ10k upwards. I paid $NZ20k plus GST for mine, if you live in the US it is a massive amount cheaper.

How long ago was that? One of our suppliers recently bought a Solidworks seat, and I reckon it was about $7k. Did he get a really good deal?

[KiwiBacon]

To afford a real "high end" CAD package you need to be making cars, planes, ships or trains.

Solidworks used to range in NZ from $NZ10k upwards. I paid $NZ20k plus GST for mine, if you live in the US it is a massive amount cheaper.

How long ago was that? One of our suppliers recently bought a Solidworks seat, and I reckon it was about $7k. Did he get a really good deal?

That was roughly 3 years ago. The basic solidworks seat which was about $NZ10k would be about $AU8k on exchange rate alone.

[raptorthumper]

The last quote i was provided (the resellers dont advertise a price) was about $7500 for the solidworks standard version approx $14K for solidworks professional and up to near 30K for the full spec solidworks premium with fulll FEA, heat transfer, dynamics and thermal analysis etc.

Creo elements/PRO (PRO/E) is available as a pesonal use version for less than $300. This is a full working legal full PRO/E licence that has a similar end use licence as a student edition, (you cannot use it commercially and make money from it.) Solidworks does not offer a personal use copy.

http://store.ptc.com/DRHM/store?Action= ... =210064500" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

_

See here.