Just how good is Pro/E?

[mat45]

I am fairly new to the world of solid modelling and have been taking a look at all of the design packages out there. I have had some experience with AutoCAD (2D) and Solid Edge (3D).

I was recently informed that CATIA and Pro/E are at the top of the heap but that Pro/E is superior in that it is accepted on a wider range of operating systems. If this is the case where do packages like Solid Edge / Solid Works feature?

Can anybody give me some objective advice? i.e. is Pro/E really the top solid modelling package to have behind you?

Cheers

 

[3dlogix]

ProE is like any tool. You use it for what you need it for. If you make complex shapes and large assemblies (say a few 1000's parts), and you need to automate certain featuresd or parts, then ProE makes the grade.

If you only make single parts, not to complex, and small, manageable assemblies, then most CAD systems will do the job the same.

The issue is as you expand your design, does your CAD system follow? Or will it be underpowered?

In terms of ease-of-use, ProE wins over Catia (unless you grew up in a UNIX world). In terms of complex surfaces, Catia may have the upper hand.

We use both at the office, and they both complement each other.

Best thing is to test run them, find people that use them and sit down with them for a few minutes. Dont bother with sales reps, they wont give you the full picture.

Steve.

http://www.3dlogix.com

 

[cranekiran]

Pro/e is certainly the most popular software at present.It has strong applications for vast engineering applications such as NC-MACHINING,PRO-WELD,PRO-CAST,PRO-MOULD,SHEET METAL etc. to name a few.You can use it for your application as you desire. Personally I have found the Drawing tool very good as compared with other softwares.The total package may cost you a great deal but As most companies do,you just have to figure out your needs and get the minimum modules necessary for your usage.My suggestion to you is Get your design dept.or a good design engineer to examine your exact requirement.

 

[Scoobystu]

I only used Pro/E for a year doing Part Modelling and Assemblies; within these features I used relations and programs, family tables and basic features like that. I now use Solid Works and now find that the things I found annoying in Pro/E are very useful.

One feature I miss most is the sketcher facility of Pro/E which in my opinion is far superior to Solid Works. Also Pro/E has a much more rigorous method of assembling components and allows you to build assemblies a lot quicker, with more control.

One thing I do not miss about Pro/E is using Pro/Intralink, although once you get the hang of it it is OK, just time consuming.

If you are looking to make assemblies that do not have too many moving parts then go for something like solid works. On the other hand you need some form of control over moving parts in large assemblies then go for Pro/E

Good Luck.

 

Pro/E is by FAR the unchallenged best 3D solid modeler out there however you may not need all it has to offer and the associated cost. Pro/E has built in parametrics which are there from the ground up and make changing anything at any level easy. Like all tools it has some shortcomings but having used many CAD systems you simply can't beat Pro/E. The only way to beat it is to out price them. If you have small jobs you just don't need all the power so SW will suffice but why not try Pro/DESKTOP there is a free version and a 995.00 commercial version which competes directly with SW.

 

[aacharya]

PRO-E is good from R&D point of view but utter waste when you would like to do engg modeling. Just ask a simple question to ur self..how much percentage of design would you require parametric. i.e how much part of ur design is going to vary constantly. you would realise that it makes hardly 15-20 percentage. on the contrast, it would be better if the package had hybrid modeling concept. i.e package allows both parametric and unparametric method of modeling. Even in unparametric, the package should give good flexlibility. Considering this, i found that Unigraphics beats them all hands down. It has features which are futuristic and more pratical. If you want a complete CAD/CAM/CAE package, the UG is for you.

 

[stuboy]

I have to disagree, i currently use catia 4.2.3 in the automotive industry, for what we use it for, it is the most efficient modeler available, i agree that the interface is well outdated, and proe does seem to have more features at your disposal, but ask yourself in the real world where time and deadlines is the most important priority, do you really need them anyway? I used proe for at least 5 years, and on occasions, the most basic changes to a model could become a virtual nightmare in comparison to what Catia is like.
The main consensus among my fellow workers is very similar
especially when the user has had 6-12 months on catia.
I can only hope that when the auto industry changes to V5
it retains and improves upon it's virtues of simplicity and efficiency.

 

If you think you don't need parametrics then you are fooling yourself. Everything changes. Change IS the only constant and in a deadline driven world a parametric modeler allows you to quickly change a few dims and have the complete models, assemblies, drawings, and any other data like NC or Mold data automatically update in a few minutes. As for the troubles of changing a small parametric model, the answer lies in POOR MODELING skills. People are careless and rushed and simply ignore the simplest of rules to prevent those problems. This is true for most users especially new ones. Get the right training and and use Pro and you will laugh like I do at those wo use non parametric systems. At a Boeing sub division we tested UG, CATIA, Pro, SW, and Mechanical desktop. There was a tech rep from each group there and we gave them models to make. The Pro guy was done in minutes and UG couldn't produce some of the geometry directly at all. Pro does have shortcomings, they need better surfacing tools, but they are integrating CDRS into future releases with modules like ISDX and functions lke the new warp. Rev. 2002 looks to have huge improvements in areas that have been lacking. Hopefully it won't also be bug filled.

 

[natester]

I am a design engineer for a company that produces high tolerance plastic injection molded automotive chassis components. I need a told that is parametric, fluid, and capable. I am trained and weekly use Pro/ENGINEER, I-deas, and Unigraphics. I am not trained, but dabble quite a bit with CATIA V4 and V5. Pro/ENGINEER is my strong arm. UG and I-deas cannot begin to touch the level of complex design that I can do with Pro/ENGINEER. All systems have their good and bad. If I were starting out my own business and I needed at CAD system I would contact PTC; I would not even look anywhere else. I have amazed every customer of mine with what Pro/ENGINEER can do. On many occasions I have had a customer respond something like 'our system can't do that'. Some consider Pro/ENGINEER complicated to learn....perhaps, but you don't expect the level of instrumentation of a Cessna 150 inside a Boeing 747. CATIA V5 is pretty nice as well, but the cost of CATIA also makes me sick. UG is pretty good, but is slower and irritating at times. If you want misery get I-deas.