Best CAD software alternative for a CATIA user

[roller_delawer]

Hello,

I have been working with Catia for +10 years with heavy use of surface modelling.

I am trying to set up a personal business and I'm trying to find an affordable alternative.

I've looked into SolidWorks and it's OK but when modelling surfaces it basically works in the exact same way as the "ordered geometrical sets" (which I find extremely rigid and frustrating)
(see this example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmLGQxgcSC8)

I wonder if there is any other CAD software out there that might be more affordable than Catia, but has a similar way of modelling surfaces.

I am only interested in Surfacing and solid modelling, so all the other features that catia is capable of doing, I can live without.


Thanks

 

[Wuzhee]

From my personal experience there's no alternative to Catia in surface design. Which is sad considering Catia prices.

 

[looslib]

Not sure how 'affordable' it is but GM and Ford both use NX.

"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

 

[3DDave]

Rhino used to be the surfacing leader; it still looks OK.

 

[Wuzhee]

Rhino cost € 995 which is very cheap imho. And it's permanent not subscription based (like many of the big names)

 

[TiagoFigueiredo]

Check ZW3D! I made a few trials, and looks OK!
NX cheaper than CATIA, but still quite expensive.
CREO for example is quite good in solid modeling, but not so good as CATIA in surfacing, but IMHO much better than solidworks.

Tiago Figueiredo
Tooling Engineer

Youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1qdlBeJJEgMgpPLVJoOIOw