Considering switch from ACAD to Solidworks...

[FWSdave]

Hi,
I am currently using Architectural Desktop 3.3 and CADPipe to create 3D models of wastewater treatment plants. I am thinking about switching to Solidworks, with the Routing add-on module, to do my 3D modeling. I would be interested in hearing from others who have made a similar switch and their opinions of the changeover. In particular, the reasons they chose Solidworks over staying with Autodesk and going to Inventor.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[ctopher]

I work with a couple engineers that came from a similar field like yours using ACAD. We use SW. After they learned SW, they love it and say they would not consider switching back. SW is much more user friendly and more powerful. I have not used Routing yet, but have watched videos of it. So far I'm impressed with it.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 2005 SP0.1

 

[jacbal]

Dear,
We are a civil engineering firm in the precast bridge industry. We where using MDT until autodesk drop the product, and we where ready to switch to Inventor. As we where looking for alternate solutions, we discovered Solidworks. After being trained for Inventor by autodesk in San Francisco, I've been trying by myself solidworks: in less than 2 weeks I was able to do more with it than with inventor. And Solidworks Office has tools (like Photoworks and realistic solid texturing) that Inventor doesn’t have.
The API, available for vba, vb, vb.net, C# and C++, gives you full access to the model and the drawing. In Inventor the exposed functionalities are (where) very limited. We do many automation programs for our bridge system and this was one of the key points to switch to solidworks.
Another very good point is the support: Autodesk never answer to any questions/request. Solidwork supports you and listen to you. In one year with them, we had more support than in 10 years with autodesk.

There is now almost 2 years that we have started to use it and we are very happy with it.

Hope this help

 

[FWSdave]

Thanks ctopher and jacbal,

I also do photo renderings and animation of my models. After creating my model with ADT and CADPipe, I link it into Autodesk Viz4 for the photo rendering and animation. The resulting AVI files are then edited with Camtasia Studio to add sub-titles, sound, effects, etc., to produce the final product. Viz is not the most user-friendly tool, but very powerful. Last year I upgraded to ADT2004 only to find that my customized CADPipe databases would not work properly and that ADT2004 was not compatable with Viz4! Needless to say, I re-installed my ADT 3.3. ADT2005 is now out and Autodesk has decided to bless us with a Viz2005 upgrade. After killing MDT, adding useless features(to me) to ADT2004, and not maintaining compatability within their own software products, I don't trust Autodesk's longterm availability of ADT either (Autodesk is pushing Revit is their 3D modeling tool of choice).

Our company is currently using all Autodesk products and I am being pressured to consider Inventor. From what I've seen, Solidworks is the better fit, but your opinions above will be very helpful!

Thanks

Dave (Designer/Planner)
FWS Design-Builder Inc.
San Diego, CA

 

[Theophilus]

FWSdave,

If you search this forum and newsgroups, you'll probably find several such sentiments as you've expressed above--namely, that AutoDesk doesn't seem to mind putting out self-incompatible products. In fact, I've seen several posts indicating that SolidWorks acutally handles AutoDesk file formats much more effectively than similar AutoDesk packages. What a ruse!

I think if you look at the trend of innovation and user base increases (by percentage of growth), you'll have a good indication as to whether SW is moving forward with sufficient momentum to provide for your needs. I left AutoDesk in 1997 and never looked back and am much better for doing so. They seem to have forgotten how to think and innovate (my $0.02).


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[jacbal]

AVI, Photo, Rendering,... It's all in SW Office (approx. $4000).
I have also evaluated REVIT : very nice tool. But no API.

I agree with Theophilus : (Autodesk) "They seem to have forgotten how to think and innovate (my $0.02)." and listen client


Jacques Balzer

http://www.con-span.com