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Does Anyone Use S/W for A/E/C Projects?

Does Anyone Use S/W for A/E/C Projects?

Does Anyone Use S/W for A/E/C Projects?

(OP)
We are consulting engineers in various fields, including structrual and civil.  Does anyone else use Solidworks for buildings, roads & etc.?

RE: Does Anyone Use S/W for A/E/C Projects?

These guys apparently use it.

http://www.solidworks-aec.com/

I am also messing around with it right now to model a complete house and addition.  I am sure its not the best thing to be using, but alot can be done with it and its what I already own.

RE: Does Anyone Use S/W for A/E/C Projects?

I was on retainer w/ a civil firm in case they needed 3D.  It never came up.

RE: Does Anyone Use S/W for A/E/C Projects?

Hi suelflow

My present customer is a consulting engineering firm that is involved with civil, structural and mechanical engineering projects.

I have used solidworks 2007 with them for the replacement of the main drive reducer and drive pinion in a bascule bridge. I am also using solidworks to lay out air ducting and new process water lines in a nickel smelter.

I use SW to create drawings and also to create illustrations for "scope-of-work" documents. The illustrations help convince the customer that what we have planned is actually do-able.



The problem is the consulting engineers customers demand autocad compatibility with their title block, ctb file and general drafting standards. Its possible to get solidworks map files to come close in providing solidworks to autocad dwg translation, but not perfect.

For example, all notes, weld symbols and annotation come through as blocks when converting to autocad. These then have to be exploded before the customer accept them. So lots of double work is involved. Not to mention the loss of the connection between the drawing and the model.

Fortunately the consulting engineers take the position that its worthwhile developing both solidworks models and drawings in autocad because the solidworks layout eliminates the source of a lot of the errors they have experienced in the past.

Best Regards

Adrian Dunevein
AAA Drafting Services

www.aaadrafting.com
http://home.cogeco.ca/~adunevein/

SW2006 Office Pro. SP4.1

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