What is the future direction CATIA/UG/IDEAS

[Tetragrammaton]

Sorry this is a bit long winded but I am sure it covers alot of what others are probably wondering about UG & CATIA also.

I have only used CATIA V4R2 for a very short time (2 months) but have found I can create/modify sketches & solids, but surfacing in V4 is a whole other ball game. I am sure the thought might be CATIA V4 is old to look at but quite a long standing performer otherwise it would not have survived so long.

I must say I am very much interested in also hearing from anyone about the differences between UG & CATIA. I have been using UG since V9 & also been using IDEAS since V8. Now thing is IDEAS & UG are being merged into UG MS V21 in about 2004 from what I know. So there will not be as much use for IDEAS and eventually its lifespan will finish, I know it could be years or even a decade but it fate is sealed nevertheless. So I think getting skills on another system such as CATIA V5 would be a good choice but would like to hear others thoughts on this.

I am not totally decided on CATIA V4 as it is a little antiquated although still quite widely used. I am thinking it will eventually be overtaken by V5 when it is more accepted. I hear various comments to the effect that it is not 'Product Ready' thus users are unwilling to take the plunge and go with a possibly unreliable/unproven in terms of log standing performance, like UG for example.

From many forums and discussions I have noted that Ford or at least their BIW Div. (I think) will be going to CATIA V5 as there 'apparently' been alot development work between them and IBM over the last year, amongst many other sources all seeming to indicate a similar trend.

I for one am looking forward in terms of continued skills development an think CATIA V5 would be a good choice. I know that Pro/E would probably be a good choice also but I think I see the is alot of potential in CATIA V5.

So lets hear some thoughts/comments/...critisisms perhaps. I would welcome brief or detailed answers as your time permits, thank you for your participation.

Best Regards

Dave

 

[jackk]

Dave...

I have been using CATIA for a long time, IDEAS a little bit, and have only watched UG. In my humble opinion;

1. CATIA V4 is based on 1960's technology. V5 is a whole new system, state-of-the-art, and probably the most advanced system today, even with it's "not ready for production" problems.

2. It will probably take EDS several years, but my hunch is they will be combining the best of UG, IDEAS, Metaphase, etc. into a brand new super-CAD/super-PLM system that will leap frog CATIA V5 technology in the future.

What is your timeframe for using your skills? Today, Pro-E is hot, but cooling off. V4 is hanging in there but has a limited lifespan. V5 is getting hot and has a bright future. UG/IDEAS has a limited lifespan as well.

If you're currently working, my advise is to build upon the skills you're using. If you're preparing for a future job, learn Pro-E today - it's an easy transistion to CATIA V5!

regards, ....Jack

PS: buy DASTY, watch EDS, sell PTC

 

[Excalibur]

Hi everybody,

The reason why almost all the major car manufacturers (except GM of course) are moving to CATIA V5 is because they need a partner for the long run, they need a partner that is able to develop and support a product for a pretty long period of time. The quality of CATIA V5 (and all the Dassault products) may not be as good as one can expect but everybody knows that CATIA V5 will still be around in 5 years and probably in 10 years.

Cheers !

 

[Delenore]

Good day to all

I have been using UG for nearly 6 years and now Catia V5 for a year. My experience has been that each system is equally powerful but has a diffrent mind set. I enjoy using both of them. I can do pretty much anything from one system to the other. Depending on what is being done one is better suited.
I have been lucky enough to get my hands on the next rev of ug (ugnx) and many improvements have been made. As more of the sdrc tools are implemented than you will see a lot of companies that use sdrc move to ugnx. There is no translation problems because ugnx will open sdrc files. Amongst other things.
Ford has gone with Catia V5. I can't blame them. I would want to keep EDS at arms reach as well. If you get fluent with one learning the other is a breeze.

Best of luck!!!