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3D Solid Modeling Cad - Computer Aided Design
SolidWorks · NX · Inventor · AutoCad · Pro-E
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
- Cost Estimator function can estimate machining time from a solid model file, but some things such as tapping holes are not counted.
- SolidWorks CamWorks has some CAM capabillities.
- More About SolidWorks 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
Creo by PTC - formerly 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
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- Why did Pro/Engineer change to Creo?
- Why did Pro/E change to Creo?
- I am not sure why PTC scrubbed off "Engineer" from their main product name some years ago.
- Do they dislike Engineers that much?
- Have they decided to disrespect Engineers?
- Do they dislike Engineering departments of companies that much?
- Is a lot of PTC stock owned by an investment house that hates Engineers?
- Have they decided to concentrate most of their efforts on the Creole language?
- It is not like they never thought of having "Engineer" in their product name.
- It is not like they came up with a better name like "Super Solid Digital Models" or something like that, no, they dumped "Engineer" for what seems like a nonsensical name.
- Note, I thought of the name "Super Solid Digital Models" on July 24, 2022, don't steal it ! !
- As thay have cancelled "Engineer" from their product's name, I cancel my support of their "Creo" products.
- More About Pro/E Including Examples
3D Computer Aided Manufacturing CAM
Mastercam · SurfCam
Mastercam by CNC Software Inc.:
SurfCam by Vero (a company in England):
Frank Klimas, CAD, CAM expert
