Posted: 8/3/2012 12:31:21 PM EDT
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Our company is having an ongoing debate about rather we should update all of our old Autodesk products or move to Solidworks. What is the opinion of anyone on here that has used/purchased one or both products. I would like to learn all I can from non-biased sources including function, prices, updates, add ons etc.......
And I figure the collective mind heere is as good as any other forum. If you don't have opinion, can you just chime in on what you use so I can get a feel for what is most popular... |
| I am only familiar with Autodesk stuff, 3dsmax and Maya, but Autodesk is an industry standard and have pretty good support forums for help. I don't know anything about Solidworks but hear good things. I would recommend going with a software package that has great support that is both official and user based. There are always things that go wrong, bugs, special plugins required, custom tools to build, and it's always good to have thousands of people to turn to for help. |
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The more important question is what are you planning to use the software for? I use Autodesk 3dsmax for stuff Solidworks can only dream of. Solidworks can natively do CNC things Max can't and never will. Context? 3DSMax is an art tool. Solidworks is a parametric 3D CAD tool. Autodesk's comparable product is Inventor. VERY different capabilities, intended audiences, and intended uses from pretty picture tools. |
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The more important question is what are you planning to use the software for? I use Autodesk 3dsmax for stuff Solidworks can only dream of. Solidworks can natively do CNC things Max can't and never will. Context? 3DSMax is an art tool. Solidworks is a parametric 3D CAD tool. Autodesk's comparable product is Inventor. VERY different capabilities, intended audiences, and intended uses from pretty picture tools. That was kind of my point. 
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Quoted: Our company is having an ongoing debate about rather we should update all of our old Autodesk products or move to Solidworks. What is the opinion of anyone on here that has used/purchased one or both products. I would like to learn all I can from non-biased sources including function, prices, updates, add ons etc....... And I figure the collective mind heere is as good as any other forum. If you don't have opinion, can you just chime in on what you use so I can get a feel for what is most popular... Although I use quite a bit of Autodesks suites, I couldn't recommend it to anyone and I sure would not license any products if it was coming out of my wallet. 1. Autodesk is pushing all its licensees towards a cloud based subscription model 2. Innovation and updates/upgrades for suites is seriously lacking in light of how much Autodesk charges for major version changes (Max2012, looking at you) 3. Autodesk has a habit of buying up actual innovated pieces of software, and then killing them, still waiting to see if MeshMixer will be incorporated into Max/Maya or suicided 4. Other than parametric (true CAD) modeling suites, there are is plethora of software that is low cost or even free Can't say I am unbiased, but if it was my cash, I would look elsewhere. |
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SolidWorks, we use it and autocad still. We are trying to wean the last of the EEs off autocad.
3ds max....well, thats an apples to oranges comparison - 3ds max is for making pretty models, and has little place in the toolbox for CAD work...for marketing is a different story. I am the CAD Manager where I work, and if you have any detailed questions on SolidWorks, let me know. We use everything from the Scan to 3D features which take a point cloud from a 3d scanner and turn it into a physical solid, to flow simulation and composite simulations. As far as SolidWorks customer support, I submitted a feature request, and a month later I was informed by solidworks that my feature would be in the next SP. (To anyone who enjoys being able to search the contents of FN balloons in large drawings....  )
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We had this debate about 4 years ago. We upgraded from AutoCAD to Autodesk Inventor.
Inventor is pretty comparable to Solidworks. I have not used solidworks in several years. Autodesk now sells their software in Design Packages. We have 1 seat of ultimate and 10 seats of premium. our anuual cost is about 1100 dollars for the premium and 1500 for the ultimates. In Ultimate you get Autocad, ACAD Electrical, ACAD Mech, Inventor, Routed Systems, 3DSMAX, NAvisworks, and a lot of other software. We also just recently purchased Autodesk Simulation for indepth Mechanical FEA. Honestly the switch over was pretty painless, but the switch to inventor wouldn't be bad either. the biggest transition will be if your designers/drafters are totally unfamiliar with a parametric modeler versus a drafting progam. ETA: I was the CAD manager at the time, and basically still am as they haven't replaced me even though they promoted me outta the position LOL |
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I've never used solidworks but I hear its really good.
I have used a lot of Autodesk stuff. AutoCAD, Civil 3D, 3DSmax, Revit, and Inventor. AutoCAD is, well AutoCAD. Civil 3D is smart AutoCAD for making roads and such. 3DSmax is very cool, art, animation type program, but I can't use it to its full potential. Well not even close. Revit, pretty badass 3d Architecture program. Inventor, pretty badass 3d Engineering program. I think this would be the closest to solid works. Definitely my favorite one out of the bunch I have used. |
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I used both programs while in school getting my Mech. Eng. degree.
I much preferred Solidworks over Autocad. Anytime you wanted to turn a 2D object into 3D it was much easier in Solidworks. I think the current offerings by Autocad are playing catch-up to Solidworks, but I haven't done anything with them in the last 5 years. I am however going to use my copy of Solidworks to design a 12'X16' shed I want to build. I know it's overkill, but I want to iron out any design features on the computer rather than doing it on the spot. |
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Quoted: BTW we use Inventor to do skid based piping assembly. the Intelligent nature of the parts holding BOM information, material characterics, COG,weight, density, etc is a fantastic upgrade over Autocad. Solidworks does the exact same thing. Except better if you look into the Routings module.  Lets you route cables, HVAC or pipe, by setting up "clips". |
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I used both programs while in school getting my Mech. Eng. degree. I much preferred Solidworks over Autocad. Anytime you wanted to turn a 2D object into 3D it was much easier in Solidworks. I think the current offerings by Autocad are playing catch-up to Solidworks, but I haven't done anything with them in the last 5 years. I am however going to use my copy of Solidworks to design a 12'X16' shed I want to build. I know it's overkill, but I want to iron out any design features on the computer rather than doing it on the spot. <disclaimer: for mechanical work> AutoCAD sucks ass, I hear Autodesk inventor is decent. Solidworks is great for most things, I use UG/NX at work; it is definitely more powerful, but most applications don't need it. |
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BTW we use Inventor to do skid based piping assembly. the Intelligent nature of the parts holding BOM information, material characterics, COG,weight, density, etc is a fantastic upgrade over Autocad. Solidworks does the exact same thing. Except better if you look into the Routings module. Lets you route cables, HVAC or pipe, by setting up "clips".
Ya we have the routing module. It works great for us for running things like 1/2 tubing. But for our pipe assembly's we have so many valves, and custom part numbers it never got efficient to use Routed systems for the pipe. |
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Quoted: Ah, I can understand that.Quoted: Quoted: BTW we use Inventor to do skid based piping assembly. the Intelligent nature of the parts holding BOM information, material characterics, COG,weight, density, etc is a fantastic upgrade over Autocad. Solidworks does the exact same thing. Except better if you look into the Routings module. Lets you route cables, HVAC or pipe, by setting up "clips".Ya we have the routing module. It works great for us for running things like 1/2 tubing. But for our pipe assembly's we have so many valves, and custom part numbers it never got efficient to use Routed systems for the pipe. I'm working in the Aerospace/Defense Industry, so I wouldn't know much on that front. |
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I have a pretty damn impressive amount of experience (ok I'm done exaggerating now) with inventor and other Autodesk products and they seem to function well but they sure don't seem particularly intuitive. I'm referring particularly to Inventor which is a good program but just isn't up there with Solidworks which I used in my college drafting class. Even though I don't have nearly as much experience, I still liked Solidworks a lot more.
So all this to say if you're in engineering you should definitely think about Solidworks, and no it didn't seem to have that bad of a learning curve in my experience. Oh and for the record, my concept billet AR lower (which probably is dimensionally off by a lot  ) was done on Inventor.
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Remember Autodesk Inventor is NOT AUTOCAD. it is a true 3-D Parametric Modeler. It is in the same price range as Solid works.
Your high end solutions are PTC(wildfire formerly PRo/E) Catia mid-range Solidworks Inventor Low-range,ehh. Autodesk creates both AutoCad and Inventor, but they are completely different software packages and design philosohy's. |
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I have a pretty damn impressive amount of experience (ok I'm done exaggerating now) with inventor and other Autodesk products and they seem to function well but they sure don't seem particularly intuitive. I'm referring particularly to Inventor which is a good program but just isn't up there with Solidworks which I used in my college drafting class. Even though I don't have nearly as much experience, I still liked Solidworks a lot more. So all this to say if you're in engineering you should definitely think about Solidworks, and no it didn't seem to have that bad of a learning curve in my experience. Oh and for the record, my concept billet AR lower (which probably is dimensionally off by a lot ) was done on Inventor.
Which version of Inventor are you using. the progression from 2008-version 2013 is quite significant. But Solidworks is a fantastic program also. |
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Autodesk creates both AutoCad and Inventor, but they are completely different software packages and design philosohy's. These discussions always remind me that no matter what, people will insist on comparing AutoCAD and Solidworks, and come to the conclusion that Solidworks is the bestest ever. AutoCAD's ubiquity and name recognition have done nothing but harm to Inventor, which is an otherwise great program. |
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Ok, well to clarify, I do electrical schematic/control panels and I am sure I will be fine with anything. Main drawing focus for the company will be things liek structural steel, mezzanines, catwalks and tanks (stell, plastic, titanium). Kinda typical plant engineering stuff althought we do it for a wet process....they want to call it a machine but I would more equate it to plant engineering do to the size and type of work, not really like we design any unique small pieces and run them off in a mill or a 3D printer....
Thanks for all of your comments so far. Dan |
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Is this for your internal use only or will you have to eventually send your files to a client? For a company that is generating files and drawings for their own use, this wouldn't be an issue. All of our files are transferred to the client after the job is complete, so this dictates what software is used throughout a project. All our clients are either Autocad or Microstation based.
Never used Solidworks. The demand for it around here is near nonexistent. |
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One advantage to Autodesk-
ALL, and I do mean ALL, of their software is available to students free-of-charge. Full versions, not crippled student-only ones. The only thing different from the paid version is that it puts a small border on prints which says it was made on the educational version. That's it. As a poor student, I'm not going to pay a couple hundred bucks for a crippled student Solidworks or NX version that expires in 3 years anyway. This stuff was a brilliant move on Autodesk's part. |
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Ok, well to clarify, I do electrical schematic/control panels and I am sure I will be fine with anything. Main drawing focus for the company will be things liek structural steel, mezzanines, catwalks and tanks (stell, plastic, titanium). Kinda typical plant engineering stuff althought we do it for a wet process....they want to call it a machine but I would more equate it to plant engineering do to the size and type of work, not really like we design any unique small pieces and run them off in a mill or a 3D printer.... Thanks for all of your comments so far. Dan Creo 2.0 (formerly Pro/ENGINEER) with a license of AFX is what you need. Will do things that make Solidworks and Autocad look like childs toys. |
| I haven't tried any of the autocads since the 90's but after playing with a few lesser knowns like rhino and can say solidworks blows them out of the water. One i've been meaning to try is PTC creo elements 4.0(pro-E) since it should do what i'd need and best of all it's free. |
| Autodesk is more cost effective, and their packages are more inclusive. I use it extensively for mechanical design for a lot of different applications, but not on a floor layout/plant scale. Solidworks is decent, but their bundled FEA is nowhere near as sophisticated as Autodesk's (doesn't seem like this would be important to you, though). I've used both quite a bit, and I prefer Autodesk's product, and the pricing sealed the deal for me when I had to buy it personally. Either will work just fine. |