3d cad software

[adz600]

Hi All

strange questions, but im just in the process of swapping form my old 2d 2007 autocad to something a bit posher, I have 2 main options

2016 solid works
or inventor

its a big leap as I am fully trained in 2d and use it for my job but we don't use 3d, so I want to choose the most intuitive system to learn and use any comments

On a separate note I will also need a new pc as mine is quite old and either package will probably not run any suggestions ?

Regards

Adam

[tweedermeister]

I'd go for inventor personally, I swapped from sketchup to that and it was easy to learn after watching a few tutorials.

[Eventorizon]

You're going to get different answers from different people, so TBH its going to come down to price and personal preference.

I'd say use Solidworks but that's cos I have spent 7 years using it. Its only downside really is the lack of integral CAM software where as Inventor can have it as a native plug in (I believe).

When I worked with Inventor I found I preferred its sheet metal functions over Solidworks and the way you could constrain multiple things at the same time but that was about it.

[GlenR]

Have a look at fusion 360 - it's quite close to inventor but free if you can put up with the cloud based file management. The integrated CAM is really nice and straight fowards too.

I prefer SW over inventor personally. They are basically the same thing though with slightly different workflow. Kinda like the difference in IOS and Android. I'd be happy with either given the option.

Alex - Solidworks has HSMworks which is a free plug in - its the precusor to fusions cam and more or less the same things. Works really really well.

[tough_as_nails]

A friend of mine recently showed me this HSMworks website and it looks very interesting, but would it be smart to use with a "home" edition of SW?

Depending on the customer we eighter have to design with SolidEdge, NX or Solidworks, of which I prefure and recommend Solidworks. It has a more logical user interface, but I also used it for many more years. Inventor also seems quite good, but I have no experience with it.

[mark_m]

I prefer Solidworks for CAD but Inventor is good too. It depends how much you're going to be using it, what for and who's paying or what sort of discounts you can get. Inventor's probably slightly better value but if you're using it all day everyday then the slight extra power/speed of Solidworks should pay off. It's worth getting a trial of each and seeing how you get on.

If you're talking about free/cloud based CAD you've got to look at OnShape. I much prefer that to Fusion 360, though again it depends what sort of projects you're working on, Fusion may be better for surfacing. I've taught several people 3D CAD through Onshape and its gone pretty well. The collaborative screen sharing stuff is really good for helping someone remotely and OnShape's support is excellent, better than I get through Solidworks. The other advantage of the cloud based packages is you only need a decent internet connection, you won't need a new computer.

Last time I looked, the free HSMXpress plugin for Solidworks looked way behind Fusion 360's CAM. Fusion can do rest machining, pencil, HSM etc.

[Deathly Hallows]

SAw this thread and thought I would share some info I found. OnShape looks very good, has a free version and is developed by the people who originally built SolidWorks

Here's a blurb from the site bot....

Many thousands of hobbyists are using Onshape's free Public Plan to design all sorts of cool things.I recommend checking out these learning resources to get started:

1. Onshape Learning Center
2. Community Forums
3. Onshape Video Library

Onshape Forums
Onshape Inc is a venture-funded startup founded by members of the original SolidWorks team plus top engineers from the CAD, data center, mobile and streaming media industries.

Onshape


Onshape Video Library
This webinar will discuss the newly released Sheet Metal functionality. Topics include creating Sheet Metal parts, the Sheet Metal table and flat view, and defining other settings.