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AutoCad to Solidworks
5

AutoCad to Solidworks

AutoCad to Solidworks

(OP)
Hi Y'all:
For those of us, long suffering enough to have gone to the depths of AutoCad it's like being stuck in hell but enjoying the heat. Though quite capable (aside of the lack of free form tools like loft and sweep) AutoCad does not have the rebuild and update capabilities of the 3D modellers that many companies now require their staff to use. So now, for me, is the time for change.
The greatest problem I am having with the change over is with processing an assembly design, particularly at the concept stage where the design may change too drastically for updating and to warrant time spent in 3D.
In AutoCad my approach is to create a layout in 2D to fit and match the internal parts while also 2D profiling the bearing structure and outer form all in the same file. Like taking a side view profile of a car body. then adding the wheels, seats, engine etc and making changes to suit. I have found this method to be accurate and easily edited, especially given AutoCads top of the line geometry tools. If needed transformation into the 3rd dimension is easy too. Through this processing method, much of the 3rd dimension can be left to the imagination, or more views can be produced.

How do users of SolidWorks and the like handle assembly conceptualising through to solids?
Does SolidWorks 2006 have greater tools for locating and manipulating geometry?

RE: AutoCad to Solidworks

You should setup a demo of SolidWorks.
In SW, you can design top-down or btm-up in 3D. I use both ACAD and SW and SW is A LOT easier to use. You can manipulate parts within an assembly and see other parts change. When it comes to 3D, SW beats all others.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

RE: AutoCad to Solidworks

I agree with Chris that you should set up a demo with SW.

Meantime take a look at the Sketch Blocks which were introduced in SW2006. It sounds like they would be suitable for your needs.
http://www.javelin-tech.com/main/products/2006-demos.htm

SW also has an "Interactive Tour" at http://mkt.solidworks.com/emarketing_enu/start.swe?SWECmd=GotoView&SWEView=eMarketing+HTML+Smart+Script+Player+View&SWERF=1
They are just demos, not tutorials, but give some good examples of SW functions.

cheers
Helpful SW websites  FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

RE: AutoCad to Solidworks

Quote:

How do users of SolidWorks and the like handle assembly conceptualising through to solids?
Does SolidWorks 2006 have greater tools for locating and manipulating geometry?

That was the subject of a breakout session at SolidWorks World. The basic concept was to make what amounts to a layout part with either 2D or 3D geometry in it and use that to drive subsequent models. It worked quite well as they were building big boats.

I also will make a full multiview drawing in SW drawing module as a layout and then use the 2D to 3D tools to turn it into solids when the time comes.

SW has far greater tools for locating and manipulating geometry. In addition to functionality similar to ACAD there is a vast array of tools called mates that allow attaching one piece of geometry to another so that they move together. It is even possible to make working mechanisms.

www.engtran.com
www.niswug.org

RE: AutoCad to Solidworks

freeformer,

I use clay (or foam or whatever) for super-free-form designs like handles, grips, other human interfaces--then model that.  But I'm an industrial designer--I get paid to play with clay.

One thing you can take advantage of in a SolidWorks assembly realm is references to other parts in an assembly.  This takes some time in getting to know what/when to reference other part geometry and what/when not to.  But it comes with experience.

I'm working on a set of assemblies that interconnect with one another.  It's been very fluid.  I try to build each part in such a way that if I make changes to one, the others will automatically update themselves and adjust--of cours I always miss something, but this would be impossible for me to do on this level in 2D.

Swoopy stuff (lofts, sweeps, surface patches) is also very powerful within SW 2006.  I love how much easier it's gotten to build great curvy shapes in SolidWorks over the years.

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
Reason trumps all.  And awe trumps reason.

RE: AutoCad to Solidworks

(OP)
Thanks all for your replies.
 
Do or will you guys use the sketch blocks to start a design?
Were you working in a similar fashion or would you go straight into building your assembly one solid at a time?

Rob.

RE: AutoCad to Solidworks

It depends on the situation. I am not using SW06, so cannot use the Sketch Blocks function, but often use a "Skeleton" or Layout sketch, which is similar, in both assemblies & parts.

cheers
Helpful SW websites  FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

RE: AutoCad to Solidworks

Everything I work on is so different from another, it generally doesn't make sense for me to do so.  I would if I was doing corporate design and had a similar feature set--that would save a great deal of time.

I also use sketches to layout assemblies before making commitments at the part level from time to time  (oops--just noticed that's what CorBlimeyLimey mentioned above--good practice).  Sometimes this helps guide the process and establish part gaps, tolerance, etc. for a more coherent process in a complicated assembly.

Some parts I establish in the assembly and others I establish outside the assembly and then plug in later.  This usually depends on which parts will drive the others--which depends on which constraints I have and which will be derived.  Basic hierarchy stuff I guess.  The point is that SolidWorks will let you create your own hierarchy with great flexibility.

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
Reason trumps all.  And awe trumps reason.

RE: AutoCad to Solidworks

Quote:

Do or will you guys use the sketch blocks to start a design?
Were you working in a similar fashion or would you go straight into building your assembly one solid at a time?

If I am doing conceptual work I may build one solid that actually represents an entire assembly. I then use split to break it into individual parts.

I also use the design library which lets me reuse sketches, features and parts.

And there is toolbox for fasteners.

www.engtran.com
www.niswug.org

RE: AutoCad to Solidworks

It depends on the design for me also.
Most of the time I do a somewhat crude design of each part first, then create assy's. Then adjust each part, either separate or within the assy.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

RE: AutoCad to Solidworks

Quote:


Do or will you guys use the sketch blocks to start a design?
Were you working in a similar fashion or would you go straight into building your assembly one solid at a time?

One other thing. In a typical assembly, say 5,000 parts, maybe 250 are unique parts. Of that 250, maybe 1/3 are fasteners. So one solid at a time is not at all unreasonable.

www.engtran.com
www.niswug.org

RE: AutoCad to Solidworks

Many autocad users have the same problems in conceptualizing in 3D, I've used a variety of CAD in the past 18 years, from the early days to present.  I've been using SW since 96, and after having to find a new job, the company is dominant Autocad, and I have the lone seat of SW.  Never have I appreciated the power of SW, as when I'm going backwards to Autocad.  It'll take time, but it's worth, as so many already converted will tell you.

your ability will come with training and/or experience.  Use the help often, it's far superior to Acad's non-existent "help".  Acad has it's place, but you can't compare the two.

Good luck freeformer.

John

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