This type of question is always going to raise some debate. We use solidworks mainly because of experience had at University.
IMHO 3D modellers are all pretty good now, ProE used to lack the 'nice' GUI of SolidWorks/Solid Edge but has now remedied that. Inventor was spawned initially using a 2D environment to create 3D models until Autodesk realised that a new package was needed with solely 3D modelling in mind. ProE & SolidWorks/Edge etc have been around for sometime - perhaps some newer packages may be playing catch up?? - my opinion only.
My only other thought is make the vendors work for their money! You are going to outlay some serious cash on any 3D programme - get them in and ask them to show what it can do for your application!
I've been using Unigraphics for several years and find it excellent for creating complex engineering models such as turbine components. This is high-end software though and the cost may well be prohibitive for some people. I still use AutoCAD for the 2D stuff though.
However, I also have a copy of Rhinoceros and this is suprisingly good at both 2D & 3D work and it's less then $1k!!! I also use it for translating various CAD formats and is worth the cost for that reason alone! If you are proficient with AutoCAD then you'll have no problems picking it up.
I have recently spent two weeks reviewing 3D CAD packages. I did not think ProE is best for our needs, Solidworks is cheaper and easier to use. (a 2 week break over Xmas was a good test as to how easy it was to pick something up again). I am not a CAD jockey but use it as a tool to design and communicate. Ease of use was paramount especially after days of "non-use".
You must trial any package and see what you want and what you can persuade your company to buy.
Prior to solidworks I used ProDesktop - because it was free. Check out
If you don't want to spend money and still have great 3D capability then get ProDesktop. Word of warning- it is ackward at dimensioning drawings.
I am C3P (Ford) Ideas certified and have always hated Ideas with a passion. This was largely to do with its instability. However, I have since learned that the platform/machine on which the software is run makes a huge difference. I just never stayed long enough with my previous employer to be converted back!
ProE Wildfire is the newest release form PTC. It is more windows based and seaks to be intuitive with what your doing.
get the vendors in and get them to do the hard work. I would always push for a free trial. I had a 1 month trial of ProE and Solidworks.
billybut
- As most CAD users, you have moved onto a new tool (UG) but still keep the old faithfuls around just in case. A question:
EDS is really promoting the Unigraphics Die Designer package. Is it as good as they say? We all hear the stories, and watch the 'smoke and mirrors' demonstrations, but does anyone have any real experience with the DieDesigner package that they would like to share? I have worked with a number of other, so-called die design packages, but they are often more problematic than helpful. Has EDS managed to buy the pieces of what noone else seems to be able to build properly?
Anyone?
I have used Solid Edge, Solid Works and Pro-E software. I have stuck with Solid Edge for a number of reasons. One of them is the drafting portion of it. Anyone will tell you that you probably spend more time doing drawings than anything else, mostly to ensure that you communicate absolutely everything and tolerance everything properly. Solid Edges' drafting package is very easy to use, which allows you the time necessary to work out the information you are providing, rather that wasting time setting up the drawings.
I am a degreed mechanical engineer that has spent a majority of my career in the manufacturing sector. Since
I have no experience in 3D modelling I am interested in learning it on the side. Which 3D solid modelling package would you guys recommend for ease of learning? Career potential/Job opportunities?
Additionally, what would be the best way to learn a 3D modelling package? SolidWorks offers a 4 day class for level 1 and a 3 day class for level 2. Can a novice really learn solidworks/3D modelling that fast? Cost is $2000. A nearby University is offering ProE, I can get certified in ProE in about 6 months, cost=$2200. Which would you recommend?
Paul,
Depending on how you define a novice, yes, you can learn such a package's basic's in such a short time. BUT, imho, you will have to learn it by doing, using it in a job. The basics of 3D design are simple, but you will have to get them right before you can be of any use in industry. How to model a part, how to set-up an assembly (top down, bottom up), how to manage the files. You will know how to make a good drawing I presume.
The modern 3D packages are rather intuitive, so learning your way around is rather simple. As always with software nowadays, it's not the knowing 'how to', but the knowing 'what to'. If you know what you want to do, and know it can be done, most of the time you will figure out how to do it. The courses are mostly rather fast, with lots of examples, just to show you what the package can do, to get to know the method of operation. In working with the package you will master the things you have seen.
If you want to learn it on the side, I expect your company doesn't have a 3D package. I personaly think it isn't much use to fidle around in an illegal version at home, modeling your kids toys or something. You will lack the interaction regarding your work, will lack the challenge of altering your design. But if you want just a taste of the 3D-world, go for the cheap course. It will give you a good feel of what modern 3D packages can do!
Regards,
Pekelder
(Solid Edge, it's good, there are better, there are worse)
You didn't mention if you have CAD experience of any kind. I pushed a pencil for 20 years before starting to use Cadkey, but only in a 2D environment. It was very easy to learn since we used it in a similar fashion to hand drafting. It then dawned on us that Cadkey had 3D capability all along and we transitioned easily to first 3D wireframe and then solids. When Solidworks came along I took an entry level class at a community college and learned quite a bit. This cost roughly $300. We now use Solidworks exclusively for new work and it has made my job fun again.
If time is a main consideration, the concentrated classes may be the way to go and you also would have the "sheepskin" to refer to on the resume.
An alternative would be the Solidworks "Student edition" which works for 24 months and sells for $200. This is also bundled with a book for $230. Teach yourself, but no sheepskin!
As I understand it, this is full featured but the file format isn't compatable with the normal version and prints have some sort of watermark designating you as a "learner". You also have to prove enrollment with at least 6 credit hours.
I can't comment on ProE other than the learning curve will be steeper but the sheepskin will likely be more marketable.
Iv'e used 2d Autocad for the last 6 yrs. Recently our company bought 2003 Solidworks, I went on 2 training courses.
It has been a love /hate relationship.
This is what I found;
SW crashes a lot, eg when using a 'design table' you have to open the table each time after editing a part so that it can update. If you try to save before doing this it crashes
I miss a real 'Undo' command
I really, really miss the 'Snap' command.
The station is beside my desk. Every day I hear : '£$%&, all I want to do is click on this, very simple and it won't let me.'
Time will tell. Good old Autocad, it's like that old car you don't want to get rid of.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned rhino3d (rhino3d.com), which is a nurbs modeling program have been acad user for about 15 years and got into rhino about 5 yrs ago....
to recommend it:
1, developed in open beta, so improvements were/are fast and on target. (excellent user group access)
2. if you have any 2d computer experience, learning curve is not very steep.
3. can read/write to a *huge* number of other formats, including acad, illustrator, bunches of CAM programs, etc.
4. reasonably priced (IMHO) for productivity
5. chock full of nifty utilties like "make 2-d drawing", and 'create' section
6. full rendering capabilities with plug-ins, including raytracing.
in fact only thing i don't like about it, is you can't control line weight, so for presentations, i usually export to illustrator or acadlite.
i, too, urge you to get some of the free trial downloads and compare.
I have been busy learning Solidworks and I am finding it to
be fairly user friendly. However, the manual that I am using does not have many parts to draw. Do you guys know of any manual that provides many 3D parts to draw and learn from?
Paul,
For learning parts, I have found that the easiest thing to do is pick up things that you deal with every day. Set them on your desk with calipers, mics, and measure them. Then try different ways to come up with modelling them. I have been using Solidworks for the past 4 years, and as I look back and some of the things I have done, I am amazed at how difficult I modeled them for coming back and editing them. To the point that I have completely redone the model in less time than it would have taken me to edit them.
Find things thats shape interests you and try to model them as they sit in front of you.
Just my $.02 hope it helps.
Alan M. Etzkorn
Manufacturing Engineer
Hoffco/Comet Industries Inc.
