Making the Jump from AutoCAD to UG/NX

[Techne]

Hi,

my company has set the standard for CAD/CAM systems to be rolled over to Unigraphics. I have never used UG and have only heard about it. What is the general opinion of this software in comparison to 2-d Autocad?

I am all for more functionality and versatility of my CAD/CAM software, I also believe it is becoming the industry standard; is this true?

Also, so I'm clear on the UG history: When my company talks about Unigraphics, that is UG right? and as I understand it, it is now called NX and is owned by Siemens?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ewh]

1) There is no real comparison between NX and Autocad 2-D, IMO, other than you can use either to create drawings. You will probably have some difficulty adjusting to the way NX is used for drafting, but that is due more to your previous experience than it is to any major deficiencys of NX. First thing that you need to do is forget everything about Autocad ;-)

2) As far as becoming the industry standard, I wish it were so. Much depends on the industry in question, and what facet of that industry. Boeing, for example, uses NX on military programs and Catia on commercial programs. It does, however, command a respectable presence in many industries.

6) UG is Unigraphics, which is now officially referred to as (Seimens) NX. It is a conglomeration of several different CAD programs which have been merged into today's product line. I'm sure that John Baker can give you the details if you ask.

Congratulations and good luck in your adapting to a much more powerful technology than you have experienced in the 2D world! Once you get comfortable with it, you'll never look back.

The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over. - [small]Hunter S. Thompson[/small]

 

[JohnRBaker]

If you would like to learn about the history of Unigraphics, at least up to about 6 years ago, just go to:

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
NX Design
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[jerry1423]

Yes Unigraphics, UG, and NX are all referring to the same CAD software package.
I would hope that Unigraphics is becoming the industry standard, by in my opinion it is a very regional thing. I live in Wisconsin and ProE, and SoldidWorks are really the big CAD package around here.

To go from 2D AutoCAD to 3D Unigraphics is whole a differnt mindset, but its not impossible. It will take time, patience, and at times will be frustrating for you, but it certainly will be worth it. Aside from being much more productive it is also a much more fun way to get your work accomplished, with far less errors.

I have worked on Unigraphics for 20 years, always doing 3D. Before that I did a little bit of 2D CAD along with 10 years of drafting on the board. It really wasn't much of a struggle for me to do 3D.

You may want to do an Internet search about the history of Unigraphics. The name that I remember from way back is McAuto, because it was owned by McDonnell Douglas - CAD training was done at the McDonnell Douglas company, in St Louis, it was very cool to go there.

As far as I am concerned Unigraphics is the best CAD/CAM package out there, there is nothing that you cannot create in Solids and machine. It is without limits. But the problem is that there is just so much to learn on it, and you will probably never learn everything. Within the last several years it has been made more like the others CAD packages with the use of icons and toolbars, so that makes it more easy to learn

In the "help" pulldown use the "command finder" and enter the command that you will use in AutoCAD and it will tell you what to use in Unigraphics (NX). It is very helpful.

As far as I am concerned your company has made a very smart decision. If there is any CAD package that should be the standard it is Unigraphics (NX).

 

[Techne]

Thanks a lot for all the enthusiastic replies. The consensus seems to be that UG is truly a "powerful tool." I've heard the phrase attributed to many-a-software-package so I hope that NX lives up to this. I am not intimidated in the slightest by a complex system, I am eager to learn all I can about it and be the resident expert. I run into a lot of limitations with 2D CAD and have dabbled in some 3D software applications like Autodesk Inventor and some Pro-E. My plant manager has also talked about sending us to training classes in Boston so I'm sure that will also be very beneficial.

 

[jerry1423]

Yes, do not skimp on the training.
It will probably help for you to do the on-line training on your own before attending the class. I think it costs something extra but it's worth it.
Also check if there is an NX users group in your area. It always helps to network with others because they all have been down the path that you are going.
Don't hesitate to ask questions on here.

 

[Techne]

Thanks, Jerry. While I'm of the younger generation who is internet savvy, I haven't had any experience really seeking out usergroups. How would I go about finding a users group for NX?

 

[JohnRBaker]

Just pick the one on the map closest to you:

http://www.plmworld.org/home/communities/rugs.php

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
NX Design
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[Techne]

What a shame, John.

I'm in Western Mass. Just missed your conference on the 6th. Thanks for the link though.

 

[DavidTolsma]

I had to use AutoCAD back in '93 time frame, while learning NX or UG at the time. Once I was almost complete with the UG training, I was running away from AutoCAD. Add View, is the AutoCAD killing operation .



-Dave Tolsma

http://Tolsnet.com/jobs

http://groups.google.com/group/NX_CAX/