If so, how do you like, and do you know how it compares to Pro/e? I've heard good things about it, but never tried it.

The guy I interviewed with says he's got a freind that uses it, and wondered what I thought of it.

 

Works Great! Very simple to use, very user friendly!

 

We used SolidWorks, Pro/e, and one other package that I cant think of. Solidworks was ok but it was not as powerful nor did it support dumping the CAD drawings to machine code as well as Pro/e.

 

I just got a copy last week I haven't installed it yet.
It came highly recomended to me by friend that until today worked as an engineer at a major electrical motor and AC compressor manufacturer.

BTW, He just moved to texas tonight, I am very sad.
But he got a job in texas as an engineer designing stadium bleachers making more money.

 

Well, I wouldn't be using it for any CAM, just shop drawings, and such.

Does it have anything like Intralink? I've been told inventor now does, but that they basicly used PTC's software to create their own "vault"...

I would need something that I can archive drawings, but still have easy access to. I used to work soley with Pro/e and Intralink, and loved it. Everything was so easy.

As I mentioned before I've heard good things about the interface and ease of use of Solid Works, but never actually used it or even known someone who has, and I've never heard anything about a file archive in SW...

 

Is he going to Mineral Wells, TX? There is a seat manufacturer there. When you said 8 hrs, I wondered if he was lucky enough to get to move to Texas.

 

For me I dont think I have found anything easier to use and better for my design applications. Its also very good graphically. Very easy to convert to engineering drawings. Ideal for multiple independent parts such as building an engine or a mechanical system. The additions of COSMOS Works and FluidWorks are great for the additions of stress analysis, fluid dynamics and kinematics to your designs, but come at a big $$. You can even put your system into motion video.
For transfering to machine code I liked ProE and Unigraphics best but I only did that for a semester in college so its not my thing.
I would strongly recommend solidworks its a really great tool.
Go on their website and download e-drawings (a free viewer) and some sample works.

 

Well, I just looked around on their sight. Apparently they do have sheet metal capabilities (big plus) and an archiving system.

I thought about downloading the eDrawings, but is it JUST a viewer. Would it give me any insight on how their sketcher works (I really like the Pro/e sketcher), or anything else?

Does anyone know what a good price is for SW? I probably wouldn't need any analysis programs. I'd just need the PDM, and sheet metal. Are those two add on modules or included in the base? I see the have the base, pro and pro premium, but it was a little confusing as to what all was included in the base. I guess I need to go back an re-read...

 

No he's in Graham, my understanding it's a very small town of like 8000 people "and that's suppose to be a stretch", it's about an hour north of Dallas. I can't remember what the name of the company is.

You guys are already talking way over my head, I dont do this for a living, my buddy that just moved would take my dimensions map them out and then we'd take them to the local machine shop on disk and have it made. I've gotten use to this so now that he is moving I have to learn it. The reason I liked SW over Autocad was the ability to work in different materials then put two parts together eben if they are different materials and see how they are going to work together.
For example if for some reason I wanted to see how a plastic cog would fit and work with a wood cog it will run it and splinter the wood. LOL
That feature has saved me countless dollars in machine work.

 

I just can't stand drawing the same part three times in AC then needing a different view, so gotta draw it again. Or get it all done, and salesman says the customer has changed their mind it needs to be taller. So, in AC I get to redraw three different views. In 3D (parametric) I change some dimensions and refresh...