Alibre software?
Alibre software?
(OP)
Hi,
We are currently using Pro/E R2001.
We are considering switching to Solid Works or possibly one of the lower end CAD packages (read-not getting raked over the coals for maintenance costs).
Does anyone have any experience using Alibre software for commercial mechanical design?
Thanks in advance,
JW
Tactex Controls Inc.
We are currently using Pro/E R2001.
We are considering switching to Solid Works or possibly one of the lower end CAD packages (read-not getting raked over the coals for maintenance costs).
Does anyone have any experience using Alibre software for commercial mechanical design?
Thanks in advance,
JW
Tactex Controls Inc.






RE: Alibre software?
MadMango
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Alibre software?
RE: Alibre software?
In short, it is very similar in look and feel to SolidWorks, especially early SWX like 97. Alibre does not have NEAR the depth or maturatiy of SWX. It is a nice basic solid modeler, but SWX is more advanced.
Here is how I percieve these packages:
ProE: set the standard, but very un-user friendly.
SWX: 90% of the capability of ProE, lower cost, and much more user friendly.
Alibre: 50-75% of the capability of SWX, lower cost, and about equal for user friendliness.
RE: Alibre software?
RE: Alibre software?
I have stopped comparing feature for feature product specs. The CAD market is still moving so fast and changing so quickly, the real criteria, to me anyway, is support of all this change. I've found Alibre to be much better at tech support than Solid Works. Considering the features Alibre has now is suitable for most of what I do, the price is right, and the suport is superb, I chose Alibre. Now I'm waiting anxiously for new and convenient features to be added and making sure I put in plenty of enhancement requests along the way.
--Scott
For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376
RE: Alibre software?
I will watch the development of this software through the Alibre forum.
cheers,
JW
RE: Alibre software?
RE: Alibre software?
More like, exactly the same features, well, not exactly, but yes they do look and act the same, but that is not uncommon in todays world, blah blah blah....
-----------
Mr. Pickles
RE: Alibre software?
Remember...
"If you don't use your head,
your going to have to use your feet."
RE: Alibre software?
Also, though I have not really looked this software at it myself, I assume from your comments that support is free(?) right now. That will not continue for ever. In the early days you sell more new licences than your installed base. As you mature and have a large company going, your installed base is larger than your new sales (and now they have all kinds of bitches and complaints, because the honeymoon is over). Thus cost of enhancements and support, let alone pure publication and distribution of updates, become a much larger percentage of your costs. Therefore you have to charge for them or you go under. Typically your VAR is going to be the front end of support and he is the least able to absorb this for free (I know, I've been there). So he has to get a cut of the support cost to fund this. (Anyone remember Daisy Systems....?)
3/4 of all the Spam produced goes to Hawaii - shame that's not true of SPAM also.......
RE: Alibre software?
http://www.alibre.com/products/gallery/list.asp
It is as if, they are admitting that they cannot model complex assemblies.
Finally, if you use the logic of "buy cheap" a good choice would be "LegoCAD", since it is free.
RE: Alibre software?
And yes, I do realize that the SW and Pro/E forums may not be the best place to discuss Alibre however, I was (am) interested in insight from other industry professionals - people using the higher end systems.
cheers,
JW
RE: Alibre software?
Anyway, I think it would be a cheap way to go, but after living the pain of Inventor (3 years behind SW) and various bugs here and there, I finally gave up and switched to SW. They've got their act together. Bottom line: if you can live with minor glitches and don't need the additional features, give it a shot. Otherwise, save yourself some headaches and pick a mature program.
RE: Alibre software?
3/4 of all the Spam produced goes to Hawaii - shame that's not true of SPAM also.......
RE: Alibre software?
RE: Alibre software?
3/4 of all the Spam produced goes to Hawaii - shame that's not true of SPAM also.......
RE: Alibre software?
Check the rules out here:
http://www.alibre.com/promos/challenge/default.asp
Especially prohibitive are these:
4. Models may consist of no more than 500 parts.
5. Entries cannot require features which Alibre Design 6.0 lacks, such as surfacing, Boolean operations, fold/unfold of rolled/formed sheet metal parts, cabling, etc.
7. Entries for which Alibre can provide a working solution, which may include changes in assembly or subassembly structure, are disqualified.
I think #7 basically says if Alibre can come up with ANY SORT OF WORKAROUND, the entry is disqualified.
RE: Alibre software?
That's pretty much the jist of the challenge. I had a part that I could make in Solid Edge. I sumitted to Alibre because I couldn't make it. They came back with a close approximation. If I were to manufacture the part they sent me, it wouldn't work. But, because it looked correct and was close enough, I didn't win the challenge. More or less, it took so long to prove that it wasn't accurate enough that I just gave up.
In other words, Alibre was able to make the part, just not to my specs. Because it could make a part like it, I didn't win.
In the end, I still bought Alibre. Basically, that part is not what I typically do and therefore I found it just to challenge Alibre. For the most part, Alibre fits my needs and my budget. It's a perfect match for what I do.
--Scott
For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376
RE: Alibre software?
I agree with your comments on getting the proper tool for the job - and evaluating future growth and target markets.
You may or may not be interested to know that we currently use Pro/E 2001 and are resisting upgrading to the next release.
Our company has made a concious decision to switch to SW - the question is timing.
The Alibre ad pops up in Machine Design every couple of months - thought that I would look into it. Basically, I am not surprised with the comments so far.
JW