CAD Software

[CFRchip]

Any CAD/3D Modeling Software Users? What do you recommend? Let's say that price does not matter (whether it really does or not). What software seems to lend itself best to piping/tubing. Not Bend-Tech..... Anyone have input on this subject??? My only experience is with Catia V4.

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[1450-ranger]

Solidworks is pretty much the norm in the industry for 3d modeling. Its a great program, in my opinion its pretty easy to get semi-decent at. Alot easier the other cad drawing programs like Auto-Cad.

[Kritter]

CATIA is the big dog...not practical for small to mid sized companies though.

Solidworks is hands down the best selling, most user freindly, and best software for 3D modeling there is for design work and with the 100s of plug ins companies develop for use with solidworks...the possibilities are endless.

SOlidworks falls on its face with surfacing though and assemblies can get large in file size but those are the only 2 complaints I have and file size isnt much of a complaint with todays RAM, processor speeds and video cards. If I was designing Car fenders, doors, bodies, or similar surface parts, etc...I would not use SW since it is a ***** to do, but that may just be from my lack of doing it.

[CFRchip]

How about Inventor???? Can anyone give examples of how Inventor is any better or worse than SolidWorks.

What seems to work best for learning these programs??? Just experimenting and learning as you go or are there any suggestions for manuals/textbooks?

[Ranger_Edge]

right now i am using solidworks 2004. i just bought a tutorial that teaches you how to build a flashlight, and that helped a lot!!! then i just went through it and got the hang of the program. one thing with the tutorial is that you follow insturctions instead of building something yourself. which is ok, but it basically does the work for you and doesnt allow you to think for yourself. one thing that i would have to say is dont give up. eventually you will get the hang of it. if i can learn software like this, anyone can. hahaha. i went from not knowing how to draw a rectangle to drawing an upright for my truck.

good luck!!

[therail]

how much is something like solidworks2004?

[Ranger_Edge]

its prolly gonna cost you around $4000-$5000. i took a seminar at goengineer and some guy was talking about buying the 2006 full throttle version for about $8000. so its not cheap... unless you got a hook up of some sort.

[Scrapiron]

Kazaa is a wonderful thing price=$0

[scottm]

I use Pro/Engineer 2001. It is one of the original solid modelling programs, and is probably the most capable of the sub- catia programs, but it is not easy to learn. Well the newest version of pro/e is called wildfire and is easier and more like solidworks. It is also around $5-10K. Solidworks is probably the best choice for small shops.

[1450-ranger]

A great way to get into Solidworks is to visit your local University that has a decent sized engineering dept, and purchase the student edition with the tutorial book. Its got enough features to get you going and decide if you want the full version. I believe i paid around 100 bucks for the book and software.