cadkey vs solidworks

[Sparky100]

I've been using cadkey since 1996. I have a chance to change design software. I've been looking at solidworks for about four months. we design product,mold frames, cores, cavitives and so on in the 2D world. we are also ISO certified and that means keeping track of all the components with part numbers. I know in solidworks if something changes that anything related to the change, changes. we have procedure folders for all our products that we made. the procedure folders are done in Word. My question is can we place a picture of say a product and place it in a Word Document and will that picture change if the 3D model changes. Does solidwork a have good split for cores and cavitives? How good is the PDM with solidworks? What seem to be the learning cure to convert from cadkey to solidworks? I need to shed as much light on the matter to either do it or stay with our exisiting software, so if you have anything else to add please do.

thanks

 

[Mandrake22]

We switched to SWX after using Cadkey since 1990 and couldn't be happier. We do no mold work however, so I can't comment there.
Here is another good place to pose your question:

http://www.cadchat.com/forums/

 

[MadMango]

Any images (jpeg) you generate from SolidWorks (or other CAD programs) will not update in a Word document. Consider the images you create as snap-shots of your parts and assemblies. The associativity between the model files and the image are broken.

I don't do molds either, but I have heard SolidWorks is very capable in this area.

I've never used CadKey, so I can't comment on the learning curve between the two programs. I would assume the best thing to do would be to forget everything you learned in CadKey and approach SolidWorks with a fresh perspective.

MadMango
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[automationbabe]

Have used Cadkey and am much happier with SW. The switch from Cadkey to SW was easy for me. The terminology is very simple, and the number of steps required to do things are reduced. I like Cadkey, but I would find it hard to go back to.

I don't do much mold work with it. There are others at work that use it for molds and cavities and seem fine with it.

If you don't want the documents to update as the model updates, then do as MadMango suggests and insert it as a JPEG. If you like the documents to update as the model/drawing updates, then imbed the image/file. Makes your document a larger file though.

Good luck!

 

[PatCouture]

Don't concentrate only on SolidWorks, get a look also at Solid Edge, trust me at first sight SW looks a lot better but if you look deep enough SE may be the best choice for you.

Pat