Learning curve
Learning curve
(OP)
How dificult would it be for a new Catia user to learn the basic system I have about 9000 solidworks hours and know machine designe extensively as well as the modeling background. My question is targeted at the transition from SW to Catia.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.





RE: Learning curve
The learning curve after that depends on how much "unlearning" you have to do. A CATIA V4 user usually takes about 3-6 months of unlearning until they are as proficient as they were (and then they accelerate from there).
I do not know SW, so I can't tell you what the transition period might be for that, but I'm sure it's better than the V4 transition, as SW is a lot more modern than V4 is.
RE: Learning curve
RE: Learning curve
Correction: the use of SolidWorks is much less disciplined, in most cases, due to the lesser degree of complexity in the product life cycle. (past the initial CAD design stage)
Catia is plenty customizable - however, most employers lock out much of the customization, so as to retain standardization. (a good thing)
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Catia Design|Catia Design News|Catia V5 blog
RE: Learning curve
By the way - it is possible to do ordinate dimensioning in Catia. It falls under "cumulated dimensions". If you want to remove the dimension line, or funnel the visible extension line, you have to set up the proper values in the standard.
And so your transition period continues...
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Catia Design|Catia Design News|Catia V5 blog
RE: Learning curve
RE: Learning curve
RE: Learning curve
Yes, CATIA Training is expensive, both in terms of the actual cost, but more importantly in employee time. It will, however, pay itself back in very short order. A formally trained user can be functional immediately, and at full speed in a few months. Someone learning on their own will struggle for several months, and it will probably take a year or more before they are at full speed.
RE: Learning curve
RE: Learning curve
I picked up Catia V5 to a reasonably high degree in about a month (yes I have learned plenty since then, but that is how long it took me to become "competent"), without any formal training and previously working on Pro/E.
Another guy in our office came from a V4 background and in the 3 months he was with us could barely model a simple shape.
RE: Learning curve
The basics of CATIA V5 modeling and surfacing are fairly easy to learn. The most important first step though, is to forget everything you know about other CAD systems.
While the basics of CATIA V5 are easy to learn on your own, learning and becoming familiar with all of the specialized procedures that each company has implemented for CATIA V5 is the most difficult part. Major OEM's like Boeing or LM now use MBD processes for their engineering systems, so being able to create a digital engineering product that conforms to their standards is very important, and actually quite difficult.
Good luck,
Terry
RE: Learning curve
RE: Learning curve
The help files, although cumbersome are not OK, but excellent - so long as you don't make the mistake of trying to use them as a tutorial. (that's not what they're for)
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Catia Design|Catia Design News|Catia V5 blog