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3D Computer Aided Manufacturing CAM
Mastercam · SurfCam
Mastercam by CNC Software Inc.:
SurfCam by Vero (a company in England):
3D Solid Modeling Cad
SolidWorks · Pro-E · NX · Inventor · AutoCad ·
SolidWorks by Dassault Systemes (a French company):
- SolidWorks
- Draw solid models in 3D
- Once it is drawn, changes can be made easily
- Make assemblies
- Make prints from solid model
- Design innovative new products
- Sheet Metal
- Design finished product formed and make SolidWorks calculate the flat shape and flat dimensions
- More About SolidWorks Including Examples
Creo and Pro Engineer Pro/E by PTC:
- Creo and Wildfire and older non-Wildfire versions
- Draw solid models in 3D
- Once it is drawn, changes can be made easily
- Make assemblies
- Make prints from solid model
- Design innovative new products
- Sheet Metal
- Design finished product formed and make Pro/E calculate the flat shape and flat dimensions
- More About Pro/E Including Examples
NX by Siemens (a German company):
- Draw solid models in 3D
- Once it is drawn, changes can be made easily
- Make assemblies
- Make prints from solid model
- Design innovative new products
- Also does Computer Aided Manufacturing CAM
- More About NX Including Examples
Inventor by Autodesk:
- Draw solid models in 3D
- Once it is drawn, changes can be made easily
- Make assemblies
- Make prints from solid model
- Design innovative new products
- Sheet Metal
- Design finished product formed and make Inventor calculate the flat shape and flat dimensions
- More About Inventor
AutoCad by Autodesk:
- 2D - Quick and simple for simple parts
- Not as good for complicated assemblies
- 2D drawings are still accurate to the Nth degree - better than hand drawing
- 3D capabilities not as good as solid modeling
- AutoCad may come with Inventor at a good price
Frank Klimas, CAD, CAM expert
