Member postings for IanT

I was more of a Triang kind of kid....

IanT

Been watching the Fusion 'Cloud' thread but instead of adding my two penneth there - I thought I'd simply paste a post I've recently made on another modelling Forum (being a lazy b). I understand perfectly that once you've invested time and effort learning a particular CAD - it requires a very good reason to migrate elsewhere. But for anyone undecided about what 2D/3D CAD to adopt - here is some basic info about Solid Edge (and my reasons for using it) that may be useful to you...

PS I have one SE file per 'Part' and then build 'Assemblies' from them - wouldn't want it otherwise...

What is Solid Edge?

Solid Edge is a 2D/3D (hybrid) parametric CAD system, offering ‘Ordered’ (history based) and ‘Synchronous’ modelling technologies. It runs on Microsoft Windows and provides solid modelling, assembly modelling and 2D orthographic view functionality for mechanical designers.

What is Solid Edge Community Edition?

The 'Community Edition' is essentially the same as the commercial SE version with two exceptions. The first is that native SE files created with SE-CE cannot be opened with a commercially licensed SE version (and presumably vice versa). The second is that ‘Draft’ drawings have a ‘SE-CE’ watermark on them. Otherwise all the SE basic functionality that normally costs over £2k pa (per seat) is provided by the Community Edition under a free lifetime license.

Where can I get Solid Edge Community Edition

This seems to have caused others some problems because there are various free, old and trial versions of Solid Edge still available on various Siemens pages/websites. So just 'Googling' can lead you astray (as discovered by one user on this Forum recently). I would therefore strongly recommend that users should download from this Siemens link. It is a large download (about 6Gb) but it is a completely self contained software CAD package and made no real dent on my PCs 900Gb+ storage :

Siemens Digital Industries Software Online Store

As an aside, I downloaded SE-CE version ‘2020’ (which I am still using) last year but another ME I’ve been in contact with recently used this link and says his version appears to be the ‘2021’ Edition (with all the updates recently announced by Siemens for the commercial 2021 product). So this was very encouraging news!

What can Solid Edge NOT do?

SE will not suit you if you wish to run on Mac or Linux. It is Windows only and can be closely linked to external data via Microsoft technology (if you are clever enough). I run it on a five year old i5 laptop under Win 10 Home and have had no performance issues thus far.

It does not have a CAM component, so is not a one-shop stop for CNC. You can however export 3D designs for import into CAM software (including Fusion & FreeCAD) - so this may not be a limitation in practice. For 3D Print users it has an integrated 3DP slicer, although I'm still using Cura at the moment and haven't explored SE Slicer's 3DP features.

What can Solid Edge do?

Well just about everything else ’CAD’ as far as I can tell (although I’m no expert). My other ME/SE user correspondent was previously a professional ‘Solid Works’ user and he is of the view that he can do everything with SE that he could do with SW. That sounds like it’s going to be more than sufficient for my needs.

I should also add that I have been a TurboCAD 2D user for over 20 years and it is taking a little 're-thinking' of my approach to drafting. It’s not quite as simple as just "going from 2D drawing to 3D drawing" – you need to understand constraints, relationships, synchronous versus ordered design etc. However, it is possible to use SE-CE in 2D mode by using SE ‘Draft’ documents – and this 2D capability might be a much easier way to get into SE than just jumping into full 3D design. The 2D 'sketching' tools are essentially the same as used in 3D, so only need be learned once.

Why isn’t Solid Edge more widely known/used?

Siemens were a bit slow in offering a full 3D product for free (only starting in early 2020) although they had a free 2D product and various ‘Trial’ products before then. Some 3D CAD products, like Fusion 360 and Alibre had their offers earlier and therefore established a large (hobbyist) user base much earlier too. Also FreeCAD is developing/improving quickly as the open source solution - although I do not think it is up to 'commercial' quality software yet. I tried Fusion but didn’t progress with it, partly because I didn’t like the Cloud element. SE-CE is exactly right for my needs. It’s totally installed on my PC (locally) and I keep my work stored locally too, so there are no 'cloud' dependencies on future Corporate policy changes.

If anyone is interested, I will follow this up with some advice on how to get started with Solid Edge (from my own experiences as a 3D CAD Noobie). Siemens has provided some excellent eLearning and product documentation but it does sometimes takes some finding.

I hope this has been useful to anyone still wondering which CAD product might best suit their modelling needs going forward. Happy to answer questions if I can - please remember I'm still learning myself.

Regards,


IanT

Nitromors used to be my "goto" but it seems to have been watered down in recent years - doesn't seem as effective. Purely subjective but I changed to using Paint Panther a few years back.

Regards,

IanT

I've used 'Paint Panther' with some success on my machines - which have previously been painted in either enamel or Hammertite. I've also used (the much cheaper) 'No Nonsense' paint stripper from Screwfix. This does work but is slower in action and required more coats than Paint Panther. Both need some mechanical assistance (in parts) with wire wool or scraper. I think it also helps to clean any muck and grease off before using the stripper.

Gloves and googles of course and I normally wash the parts down with white spirit after stripping to get rid of any residues. You can probably use other washes ( hot soapy water?) but that's what I used.

Hope this helps.

IanT

Like many things, it depends on what you are going to use the tool for and to some extent the size of work and material type. I use a diamond tangential tool for a fair bit on my ferrous work and have found no need to hone, apart to slightly round the tip for longevity. If I intended to use a tool for roughing, I wouldn't bother to hone then either.

But on the occasions I need a really sharp tool (fine finish, bronzes, smaller parts) then I certainly do hone and it's very easy and quick to do if you start by using the front of the grinding wheel and already have a concave face. Then you can simply hone the top edge (using the bottom as a guide) - you don't need to hone the entire face, just the cutting edge.

Here's a shaper finishing tool that has been honed (the bright edges) the 'grey' area has been ground on the front of the wheel and you can still see the grinding marks (the ground face only looks dull because of the angle I'm holding it at). The same principle can be applied to any single point cutting tool and the smaller the work or finer the finish required - the more often I do it.

Regards,

IanT

Not sure which photo you are referring to - but if it's the Atlas, there is only one T-slot but it has two 'V' grooves either side of it that are accurately machined (in effect built-in V blocks). Round material can be quickly clamped on these Vs for some machining operations. Might be another option for your table and possibly easier to cut too.

Regards,

IanT

I had a similar problem with my small Atlas MF - which also only has a single central bed 'slot'

Fortunately, I had a steel plate (from a die casting machine) that had some existing holes that I tapped & added too. It's normally attached by two special bolts that fit the open ended slots (pre-existing) you can see but in the photo I needed to set the ER32 collet block back a bit for the horizontal milling and I used two of the fixture 'holes' for the table t-nuts instead.

Here I was milling flats on a part held in the ER collet. I did originally purchase a slotted table for this purpose but it's been used elsewhere as this (longer) lump seems to do the work just fine. Mine is about 25mm thick but it could be half that without any issues I think. I haven't bothered to thin mine down as yet.

It's also very useful to make a clamping bar to match the plate holes!

Regards,

IanT

PS The slitting saw in the second photo was being put on for another job when I took the photo to show the clamp bar etc from the previous work. This is a useful workshop diary/reminder - as my memory sometimes fails me. I sometimes find bits that I know I've made but cannot for the life of me remember why!

Digital photos really help me jog my memory these days!

I enjoyed your video Tommy and also watched a few others too (liked the one about back-engineering a part using CAD). I do watch quite a lot of YouTube but I try to be selective - there is a lot very poor material on there.

But I do have my favourites (to which I subscribe) and you've now joined the list. Well done.

Regards,

IanT

I'm delighted to hear this Rod, as (one day) I may need to do something similar.

At the moment though, I'm just happy SE is meeting my (much more) basic CAD requirements.

I was also very happy to hear that your recent 'Community' download includes the 2021 Solid Edge upgrades. I'm still using the 2020 version (which I downloaded last May) but will certainly get around to installing the latest 2021 version before too long.

Great news - very encouraging!

Regards,

IanT

Edited By IanT on 12/09/2021 09:34:55

Just thinking about "3D CAD is too hard" - "Very high barriers to Entry" etc...

Well, like anything else it needs to be taken in small steps. I did the e-learning tutorials provided with SE Community and then started looking at YouTube (as you do - at least I do).

As usual, this varied vastly in content and quality. Some YTs were very poor or rushed through the material at a rate of knots. Some covered material that was way above my head (or needs) and far too advanced. Then I found Dr Mohamed Seif. He lectures in Engineering at a University in Alabama and I suspect the material was originally prepared for his students. Couple of caveats - he's not a CAD Professional, he's a University lecturer - so I'm sure the CAD Pro's will find fault in some of his methods but it suits me very well.

His pace is right for me, he has a clear structure to his material, starting with the simple basics and progressing to more complex subjects. I have found his videos very helpful (I've gone back and watched some several times over). I also kind of like the fact that he makes the odd mistake - which I found somewhat reassuring...

Here's his Introduction to Solid Edge video...

Introduction to Solid Edge - Dr Mohamed Seif

Regards,

IanT

Nicholas,

When you first install Solid Edge, it does ask you what kind of UI you would like - I went for the default "Balanced" rather than the simpler get-you-going themes. Likewise, 'Synchronous' is the default methodology in SE. There are real differences between the two - the key thing being that you can switch to either. Have a look at this (2003) article about the differences between the two...

Ordered vs Synchronous - Solid Edge

These are the key advantages (pro's) of Synchronous Tech in SE as cited by the Author:

• Rapid, flexible design tools.
• The designer does not have to predict how the model will change in the future.
• A history-free approach allows for instantaneous model changes while editing the model.
• The sketch does not drive the model. The dimensions are migrated to the model and directly drive the model at the 3D level.
• Rapid edit tools and handles allow the designer to edit the model without having to understand how it was originally modelled.
• Designers can edit a part file or group of parts from the assembly level, without having to edit into each part.
• They can also edit models from any CAD system as easily as editing Solid Edge models.
• Model can be constrained at the 3D level, but it’s not really necessary.
• Models are lighter and, therefore, open and save faster than in the ordered paradigm.
• Legacy ordered models can be converted to synchronous models.
• Although a different approach to modelling, it shares many similarities with the ordered paradigm. Thus, it’s easier to learn for existing Solid Edge users.

There are instances where 'Ordered' is required but I'm a long way off 'lofts' and any such like in my work...so Synch is what I use.

Regards,

IanT

PS - Going back to this link earlier - I spotted the "Immersive Reader" option in my Browser - so clicked it. Wonderful, it gets rid of all the carp - will get used a lot in future. 

Edited By IanT on 10/09/2021 13:52:39

Nicholas, my advice would be not to just try and jump into any 3D CAD package - and there is a lot of help available to get you started with Solid Edge !

So before you try anything else, click the 'SE' icon (top L/H corner) and then the first option on the list - 'Learn'

You will then see things like quick reference guides - but I'd suggest you try the 'Recommended Learning Paths' and select the one which seems most appropriate to your existing skills. I has some 2D experience but selected 'New to CAD'. This will take you through a structured learning process, which includes some very good e-Learning.

Within a few evenings I was drawing 3D Micrometers with animated moving parts. Didn't make me an instant expert but it did give me some confidence and an appreciation of what was possible with SE.

You probably wouldn't jump into a car and try driving off without some lessons - I'm afraid 3D CAD is the same.

Regards,

IanT

I'm not sure I'm following everything is this thread but I would agree that moving from 2D to 3D requires some rethinking of the way you approach things.

As a simple example, in 2D you draw a line of a certain length (perhaps at an angle) and then draw more lines, defining the length of each as you go - making sure they are all connected of course (e.g. good 'snaps' ). So a square would be drawn by drawing a line of certain length, drawing another line (the same length) at 90 degrees and so on until you've drawn four lines of equal length.

When I started 'sketching' in 3D it was easy to do use exactly the same approach but it is far better to think in terms of relationships instead of absolutes.

So for instance, to draw a square I'd now draw a line (any length), then another (any length) and so on twice more, just making sure the area was closed (e.g. all ends are connected) - but not dimensioning. You might end up with an odd looking four sided object - but provided it closes then all is fine. It's very quick to do too - five clicks.

Then you add 'constraints' that define all lines as being 'equal' and the two opposite set of lines as being 'parallel'.

You have now drawn a square but of no defined size. So finally, dimension just one edge and (because they are constrained to be so) all the dimensions will change to match! Need a cube? Well extrude the square and constrain the depth to equal the width. I guess you could say Design then Dimension.

This is a very simple concept (and I'm sure experienced 3D CAD users will think very basic) but it took me (a 3D CAD amateur) a while to realise this was a better (& simpler way) to work in 3D.

BTW - for anyone thinking of trying 3D CAD - don't be put off by the fact that you need to spend a little time learning it. Most worthwhile things do need some effort to become proficient. I used 2D CAD for many years but I am a real 3D CAD convert now. I've still a long way to go but the sooner you start out, the sooner you'll get there.

Regards,

IanT

Edited By IanT on 10/09/2021 10:59:37

I purchased a TACKLIFE TRMA 6000 Multimeter at the beginning of last year and it's very good - I'm happy with it, it's a solid well made device. I did a little research at the time and the reviews were all positive in the areas that mattered to me. At about £30 it was also a reasonable price with everything I needed (and more). I still have my old analogue meters but don't really use them these days.

However, I've just checked and it seems TACKLIFE don't sell here in the UK now but they are still available in the US & Italy apparently.

Regards

Good to hear Rod,

Thinking about this overnight and since you've just downloaded SE Community (and my download was over a year ago) - I have some questions. Could you PM me please?

Regards,

IanT

Yes, I was surprised to see some of these stats - which didn't line up with other info I'd seen with regard to Cloud market share...for instance:

"Combined, these SaaS vendors account for 51% of the worldwide SaaS cloud market share. Leading the way is Microsoft, with a 17% market share and impressive annual growth of 34%. Microsoft continues to gain market share, primarily due to its dominance in the high- growth collaboration segment."

Cloud Market Share

Just saying...

Regards,

IanT

Hi Rod,

Well, the terms clearly state it's a free lifetime licence. It's probably not going to suit everyone here but frankly I'm delighted with Solid Edge CE (perhaps this shows?) and whilst I might not have thought of describing it as the Dog's "Wallongas" - it would have been something very similar I suspect.

Regards,

IanT

Well I'm sorry you found yourself rolling about on the floor Nigel - but I can only speak to Solid Edge (the Siemens product I'm actually using) and I've not had any issues - of course that's only after a year of use and I'm very likely not really pushing the boundaries yet. But I've had no obvious problems with SE.

However, I did look into using FreeCAD (before choosing SE) partly because it had a CAM (e.g. Path) facility. However, I'm afraid it was FreeCAD I had in mind when I mentioned that SE was "glltch free" - because I don't think that FC is, at least not yet.

Everything I read basically said that whilst FreeCAD was improving it was still not quite there - "not viable for commercial use" was one quote I saw. There are certainly well documented issues that I simply didn't want to wrestle with (some of which reminded me of problems I'd had when trying out TurboCAD 3D). For example, the one discussed here;

FreeCAD is Fundamentally Broken

Regards,

IanT

Edited By IanT on 07/09/2021 20:45:54

"Means changes in 3D model are reflected automatically onto 2D drg? I think"

Yes Brian, that's what it means, it updates any effected 'drafts' (e.g. 2D drawings) at both Part & Assembly level - so as you make changes to your 3D components, your drawings stay in synch. Beats using TurboCAD hands down.

Regards,

IanT

Solid Works versus Solid Edge as a career choice?

If this was a Forum for young 'Makers' Brian - I might agree with you but I suspect that a very large proportion of those here are either well into their existing career choice or some way into their retirement. I will admit to being in the later camp and I had assumed that this discussion (started on the other thread) was about the best available 'Hobbyists' 3D CAD?

Now everyone has different needs, different budgets and different personal preferences (often formed from past experiences).

Solid Edge is only available on the Windows platform, so will not suit Apple & Linux devotees.

It probably will not run (it's certainly not supported) on Windows 8.1 (and below) and I would guess that you need a reasonably powerful processor and some memory to make it run well.

It does not a have a CAM element (which FreeCAD and F360 both do) - so it may not appeal to some CNC users.

The boxes it does tick however are;

- A free lifetime license for a CAD system that runs (& stores) your intellectual property locally (No Cloud)

- A commercial strength 3D parametric CAD system, that also support 2D drafting, with no serious or practical limitations on it's features and use. The software seems to be robust and glitch free (as one would expect from a large organisation such as Siemens)

- It supports a wide range of Industry standard file formats including STL, STEP, PDF, JPEG, BMP, TIFF, DWG, DXF, VRML and many more. It can also has a 3D direct print capability (I'm still using CURA but will try this eventually)

- It's general capabilities include automated drafting, exploded view creation, animation, advanced rendering and simulation but it also includes specialist drawing modules for Sheetmetal & Weldment design that I suspect some here would find very useful too.

- Included in the SE-CE download are some very good 'get-you-going' eLearning modules, which I found very helpful. They are not simulations, you use SE itself to draw the exercises with step-by-step guidance.

I could rattle on but I think that's probably enough.

There could be many reasons folk here might not like or want to use Solid Edge (although I doubt future career opportunities is one of them) and there are clearly other alternatives. However, for anyone wanting a modern parametric 3D (or 2D) CAD system that runs locally (e.g. No cloud) that's free to download - then I think Solid Edge Community Edition is a very serious candidate.

Regards,

IanT