i was curious who uses solid works and if it's easy to use..... i use autocad mainly for 2d work but looking into a 3d program for rapid prototyping/etc......

any free downloads to try it out also?



b

 

I use Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0

excellent software, and I took a class on it. I have Solidworks 2006 also, just havnt installed yet.

PM me

 

Great program for 3d, but just as big a learning curve as autocad in 3d.

Areospace industry magazines used to have vouchers for free trials in them.

 

i just need it for rapid prototyping and milling..... i could get into the other 3d programs but for prototyping not sure what other programs shops use........ nothing tooo complicated just for brackets/funiture details/etc........


b

 

You need something that translates into g code.

Take a look at this prog.

http://www.bobcadcam.com/

A friend uses it. It's really fast and simple.

 

i could possibly get a hold of cadcam .... will that be able to be exported to solidworks..... the few shops i have talked to use solid works and that's why i'm asking.... would exporting files cause any issues?


b

 

solidworks should be able to export unigraphics format... which is then easily translated into g code with a cheap program.

I've been looking into this recently as well... looking into a CNC

 

Solid Works is an Assam program. But when I first made the switch from 2D I almost pulled my hair out. Be sure to take a class or buy tutorial software. It will save a lot of head aches. You have to totally rethink the way you approach a drawing. But once you get used to it, you'll spend a lot less time on your drawing's. The only thing I don't like is making copies. I never seem to get them to come out right. I'm open for input on this.

 

Solidworks itself has no utility to CNC parts. You need a program like Mastercam that accepts IGES or STEP or etc. files that you make with Solidworks. If you are talking about cutting brackets or 2D profiles, you don't need Solidworks, Any shop can use DXF files from AutoCAD to make simple parts.

It is overkill to use Solidworks for this simple task. Solidworks, Pro-E, UG, etc. are useful for complex surfacing and Master CAM and the other CAM programs work with these to machine parts, molds, patterns etc.

I believe you said in an earlier thread that you were an Industrial Designer. If that's true, you need these skills BAD. If I were you, I would take a class immediately.

 

exactly..... i figure for me to really get into industrial design, i need to have the computer skills to back me up..... i already have the 2d and design/build aspects but for cnc/computer modelling, i need to practice..... it would help in my work also........ with the brackets i'm thinking about, they would be more 3d..... i.e. brackets to hold glass to wood/etc....... set screws/etc......

my friend told me about cad cam and not sure how well that is compatible with most of the shops...... is solid werks just a modelling but without the coding properties?..... i know other modelling programs such as studio viz/3d max/etc.... i worked with them before but those are more for visuals rather than programmed....

b

 

i might be able to get these other programs also....

rhino3
maya5
3d viz6
3d max6
formz4


i'm sure they all have their pros and cons but the thing i'm thinking about is if i design a piece for presentation, i would like to be able to use that same program to cut the piece...... this way i don't have to import/export/reconfig/etc between 2-3 programs......

honestly, i would be easier if i just made a prototype and had it 3d/4d scanned....but i have a tendency to work backwards sometimes...

b

 

Get Rhino. It's a very powerful NURBS surface modeler without all the parametrics, associativity or a feature design manager. These are the things you don't need unless you are a CAD jockey at a big company. Also Rhino accepts AutoCAD commands. I think there is a trial version at McNeel's website.

As an ID, you need to learn 3D CAD. There are plenty of places that will do CNC for you (from your CAD files). Concentrate on the creative end of things. That's where your design capabilities are challenged. Leave the CNC stuff to the CAM guys.

 

Autocad commands, that brings back painful memories. I personnally like IDEAS. Has build in CNC capacity. It can do tools paths and the whole nine yards. It also has built in finite element analysis. I PRO/E and Solid Works both require seperate programs to do that.

 

That'd be me. I've used Catia V5 and IDeas for the last 7 years or so. I love Catia much more than IDeas. Sorry though, I've never used Solidworks, although I do have a version or two hanging around the house.

-Matt

 

is pro E the same as proengineering?......

that can be converted from model to programmed cnc setups?......

i'm trying here.... bear with me.......


b

 

Yes Pro/E is the comon name for pro engineering. Its a good program but I personnaly found IDEA's more intuative. CATIA is a nice program if you have a high powered UNIX system. It can do awsome stuff with fluid dynamics and fininte element analysis. I was never all that impressed with the windows version. I had a high powered machine and it still lagged once you got lots off complex parts in the system

 

i think i might have to do a pro/con questionaire here

can it run off of a pc?
cnc capabilities?
modelling easy/medium/hard (i'm used to autocad)?
used for simple to meduim complex parts?
user friendly... classes needed?
will i get angry and use a dammit tool on my keyboard?


b

 

I took a 4 credit college course on Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0

VERY worth it... there's tons of tools and little tricks that make life a million times easier.

 

You need to FOCUS on what it is that you would like to do for a living and CONCENTRATE on what it's going to take to get there. I have seen other threads where you seem to be searching for direction and money. Money does not fix things. Direction does.

Again, if you are an Industrial Designer (and I get that impression from your previous thread about needing money to get your Masters in ID), You MUST learn 3D CAD. You can ask all the questions you want but in the end, do you have the money for Pro-E, UG, Solidworks, Catia etc. etc.? I don't think so. Download Rhino from the Internet for nothing, learn it and don't worry about who uses what software. An Industrial Designer without 3D skills is a dinosaur and virtually unemployable.

I am confused about your insistance to do CNC. If you don't have the money for CAD software, you don't have the money for CAM software or a CNC machine! Also, if you are looking for employment as an ID, your skills at CNC are not very valuable. If you would like to run a CNC mill at a factory, you should do that. Again CONCENTRATE on what you want to do when you grow up.

I don't mean to be harsh with you but you remind me of me when I was younger. Some people over analyze things instead of just doing it. They usually end up doing nothing. I think you need to focus on where you want to be in the future and take the most direct path there. FOCUS!

 

Great advise.
SolidWorks - $5000.00
Master Cam - $20,000.00 +
Not the average guy's hobbie software. If you have a large company paying for it, great.