Pro/E WF v. SWx for college setting: anyone for Pro/E? 1

[dmalicky]

I got many responses to a similar post in the SWx forum. But since that forum might be biased, it would be great to hear from some Pro/E WF users, too.

We're evaluating which package to teach and use with undergraduate mechanical engineering students.

I know WF2/3 is easier to use and learn than the older Pro/E versions, but I don't know how WF2/3 compares to SWx today. It would be great to know some rough estimates of the differences in how long they take to learn and use (e.g., % differences, weeks, mouse clicks to accomplish a task, frequency of non-intuitive commands, etc.)

Speed of learning and using is one of our considerations. I'd value your perspectives on these other factors:
1. Acceptance in industry: ProE is probably a little better because a ProE user can more easily learn SW than v.v.
2. Integration with a good FEA program: ProMechanica is probably enough for most undergrads although non-linear capabilities would be desirable. We're considering Ansys, Abaqus, Marc, __Nastran... to augment ProM.
3. Integration with a good CAM program: ProE has ProNC modules in the education edition, although I haven't heard much about them in industry. How well does Pro/E interface with Surfcam?

Thanks,
David Malicky
University of San Diego

http://www.sandiego.edu/engineering

 

[JohnAndrews]

David,

Getting back to the original question.....

"some rough estimates of the differences in how long they take to learn and use (e.g., % differences, weeks, mouse clicks to accomplish a task, frequency of non-intuitive commands, etc.)" - The only way to determine this is to conduct your own tests on the typical data you are likely to need to make. I doubt that you would find much difference however.

On the other questions:
1 Acceptance in industry - both Pro/E and SolidWorks are widely used in industry, but you might need to check which CAD software your local companies use, if this is where the students are most likely to be employed.
2 Pro/Mechanica is really easy to learn and use because it's all within the Pro/E interface, and gives good quality results without needing to worry about the mesh - ideal for students, but you're right that it cannot do non-linear.
3 Integration with a good CAM program - Pro/NC is completely integrated and is very easy if you have your tools and parameters defined, In don't know about Surfcam, but I'm sure it could work with Pro/E geometry.

In summary your students will benefit from either Pro/E or SolidWorks, and there are pros and cons in each, but I doubt that you will find a significant difference which will force your decision. It sounds like you've already got Pro/E, so in my opinion stick with it.
Good Luck !!!!!