Simpler the Better -what do you use?

One thing I'd like to point out before prices get bandied about.

Geomagic as it's now called is a 3D full parametric modelling package and is the same type of package as Autodesk Inventor, Solid edge and Solid works.

At the moment Solid works is the industry leader by virtue of sales and number of users.

Geomagic has the three levels, the other packages have only two levels, expert and "If you have to ask you can't afford it "

As a rough guide the expert levels in the three mentioned run about £5000 with an annual maintenance of about £1200 for support and upgrades so it's important to know just where in the food chain Geomagic sits..

Autodesk Inventor is included in the "Student" versions for students, unemployed, and retired engineers free of charge. Can't get on with it myself. I prefer the Solidworks interface for 3D having used it in industry before my retirement.

Russell.

Edited By John Stevenson on 09/10/2013 10:12:05

I use SolidWorks daily, and am very comfortable with it. The processor load with big models (5000 different parts, 17 levels of subassemblies) is vast and even quick multi core machines struggle. However, I admit to being the slowest part of the system and thinking time for the PC is usually less than mine.

I have used AutoCAD 2000 for 2D and a limited amount of 3D in the past. The 2D is good, but trying to do 3D in AutoCAD 2000 is un-necessarily difficult. Currently for legacy AutoCAD 2D stuff, we use DraftSight. Apart from an inability to talk to our A0 plotter, it's adequate, though slower to use than AutoCAD (probably due to unfamiliarity with the icons).

Regards,

Richard.

<<Did you know that if you are a student, or an unemployed or retired engineer, you can get all the Autocad products completely free? Have a look on their website. >>

Whereabouts please - I see the Education Community pages but they don't seem to apply to the latter two categories?

I installed from their site about two years ago - perhaps they've changed the rules?

This is the link I downloaded from back in 2011.  Don't know if it still works.

Russell.

Edited By Russell Eberhardt on 10/10/2013 12:09:12

Thanks Russell - yes, it does work, but to register you have to be one of (or say you are one of - I didn't try it to see if/how you need to prove it)

A faculty member is an employee at a primary or secondary educational institution or any degree-granting or certificate-granting educational institution or any learning, teaching or training facilities and who upon request by Autodesk is able to provide proof of such status.

A student is an individual enrolled at a recognized degree-granting or certificate-granting educational institution for three (3) or more credit hours in a degree-granting or certificate granting education program or in a nine (9) month or longer certificate program, and upon request by Autodesk is able to provide proof of such enrollment.

An Autodesk-sponsored competition team mentor or competitor is either an individual who provides guidance, advice, coaching, or instruction to competitors engaged in competing in an Autodesk-sponsored design competition or an individual who is approved by an Autodesk-sponsored design competition organizer as a valid participant.

To KWIL (Page1 query on this thread)

You have a PM from me.

John

The tip in my message was done on my Linux machine. Now back on Windows and it works with TurboCAD (14), too.

Regards,

John

I used Smartsketch 2D CAD also known as Imagineer for years, and it's probably the most intuitive and easy one to use.

Personally, I wouldn't advise anyone to buy 2D CAD because the benefits are nowhere near as great as going to 3D CAD. I use Alibre design and have a more expensive version of that package for my business. There's a cheaper version that does pretty much all that mine does but I need the CAM module too.

The trouble with 2D CAD is that you still have to draw any views you want and it's not much use for visualising assemblies. 3D CAD on the other hand creates the 2D views for you from the 3D model. Initially you find yourself wanting more control over that process, after all, you're used to doing it all the hard way. When you overcome that resistance and use the tools in the way they were intended, life becomes very easy. Ask for whatever 2D views you want, create section views.... it's all easy.

Making 3D assemblies is easy too, just tell parts to mate etc and they do. It takes a bit of getting used to , but it's so powerful. Once you've got to grips with all this, you'd never go back.

I am using ViaCad Pro 8 and have 7 as well.

This CAD is produced by PunchCAD. You get consumerCAD: the standard and the Pro, Then you get professional: the Shark lite and Professional.

I am using this now for more than two years and will recommend it to anybody. The learning curve with the video tutorials build in, is reletive easy. Thereafter it is easy to figure things out (for a person not used to 3D CAD) and the forums also give very good assistance.

Th program may be small, compare to industry giants but for what I do, I could not get better. I design everything myself in real size befor I try and in different colours. It is then so easy to see if it will work or not.

Once I have bought ViaCAD 7 Pro, the upgrade to 8 was only half the price. I cannot wait for 9 to come out. Money well spend. 9 onwards will be full 64 bit and 32 bit, but 8 and earlier is 32 bit, but functions perfectly in both Win 7 and 8, and 64 bit.

The program imports other format relative well. When I design for example a Belt sander, I import the elctrical motor and the pillow block bearings and maybe some of the grub screws. No need to redesign everything from scratch. I recently had to draw a 12 inch bicycle wheel for a hand pushed hoe. I imported it perfectly.

Edited By Johan Crous on 19/12/2013 10:12:18

since my old copy of autocad no longer works on windows 7 I've switched to DraftSight. It's free and very good indeed. They are trying to get you to buy Solid Works, but don't seem to get offended if you don't.

I have just come across this link to Algadoo

It might be of help when trying to visualise movement of assembled components.

This link allows DXFs to be used with Algadoo and this link allows SVGs to be used too.

Martin.

I use solid works and auto cad. Everything I make goes through the process. It saves a lot of time when things fit one another.

Bri

Not everyone has £10,000 - £12,000 to spend on software which is what both these two cost in total.

I agree with you John Although it works great, not everyone have that money to spend.

Although I use ViaCAD 8 Pro (PunchCAD) as mentioned (it can also render and show everything in 3D as well as imports), there are freeware equivilants like Blender 3D (3DS Max equal) - it can do rendering and animations as well. Then you get FreeCAD as well - How good I do not know.

A relative affordable alternative is TurboCAD, but the Pro is getting expensive. There are also a few software giants that allow free student or amateur users to use their products with a few limitations.

Has anyone tried TotalCad 2D-3D?

I ask as I picked up a copy for £10 as it promised to be simpler than TurboCad (It isn't from where I'm standing, but the help files seem to be written better).

Neil

You wuz robbed Neil, Maplins has it for 8 quid

I've never seen anything to compete with ViaCAD 2d/3d, for the money, especially when it's discounted.

Martin.

I have used AutoCad LT (2D) for several years, and Alibre PE (Personal Edition) for a couple of years. Alibre is a full parametric 3D program with "all" functions, but has a relatively high user threshold. The PE version has - as far as I know - no interface to CAM programs.

But - have a look at "Designspark Mechanical" - it is a FREE version supplied by RS and Allied (Electronic parts), and this program is a very good full 3D design program! Ok - no CAM interface, but an excellent way to design in 3D, put parts together and see if they fit. Designspark Mechanical is a downsized version of "Spaceclaim" - used by professionals like Boing etc. There are lots of documentation, tutorials etc. freely available!

Just follow this link: **LINK**

You got nothing to loose! Regards Sverre

There are many 3D programs out there are a lot of them share the same basic 3D drawing engine but that means a lot work like each other, especially the cheaper ones.

The more expensive ones have better features as they can afford to employ their own code guys.

One big drawback with the cheaper ones is they are pure modelling programs that rely on internal geometry.

A good test on features is to see if they can import a 2D DXF CAD drawing and convert it to a model.

Alibre can, Solid Edge and Solid Works can but I'm not sure about others. I have a copy of Viacad but the help files don't help.

At the moment I'm designing a new gearbox but the gears are so special they have to be imported by DXF.

As an example two gears have to be the same diameter as they are driven by the same pinion but they have a tooth difference of 5 teeth.