Solidworks vs geomagic

[CPEX]

I am currently using geomagic design/alibre doing general design work for a welding shop. There are some things that are frustrating and slow. We are starting to wonder when or if the time will come to use solid works instead. Do you have experience with both? What are the pros and cons

 

[ctopher]

I have never heard of Geomagic.
I suggest having a SolidWorks demo at your site.

Chris, CSWA
SolidWorks '15
ctophers home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[SBaugh]

Alibre was OK when it was alibre, but never grew or gained recognition for its 3D capabilities like SW did. It did have an interface similar to SW. Geomagic was never that friendly of software... However since Geomagic bought out Alibre I don't know if the interface changed to match the unfriendly Geo?

Best thing to do like Chris said is to have SW demoed at your site. I know Alibre was far less expensive than SW has ever been, not sure if the cost has changed with Geo or not. I was thinking Geo was as expensive as SW, or possibly more. You won't be able to make a decision until you see and get a trial run of the software. Do note that if you get a trial version of SW your hardware might not be able to handle the requirements SW has, so make sure your VAR checks that out first. I know when I worked for a VAR several years ago, we would sometimes let a customer borrow a laptop for X days to test out the software, maybe your VAR will do the same.

You can find a VAR using the SW website

http://www.solidworks.com/sw/purchase/varlocator.htm

Hope that helps,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
Gryphon Environmental

http://www.2gryphon.com

"If it's not broke, Don't fix it!"

faq731-376

 

[CPEX]

Thanks for the tips

I am running this for OS
Intel I7 4790K @ 4GHZ
8GB RAM
64 bit OS
120GB SSD
1 TB HDD
Quadro 2GB video card I think

So hope this will be good for at least a couple years

geomagic 1800+400 per year
solidworks and solidedge 6000+1800 per year These are aprox prices for last couple of years

 

[49again]

Maybe take a look at Fusion 360 or OnShape too...