×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

2D in Solid Edge

2D in Solid Edge

2D in Solid Edge

(OP)
Hi.  I've been looking at both Inventor and SolidWorks as replacements for Mechanical Desktop (what we currently use). I just opened my eyes to Solid Edge and so far I like what I see.

We'd probably use the software in sort of a hybrid 2D/3D way... most stuff we do would be in 3D, but some of it would stay 2D (no want or need for it to be 3D--flat stuff).

Do you think that Solid Edge is more suited to 2D than IV and SWX are?  I've extensively evaluated both, and although you can work in 2D in both, it's not very easy to do.  SE seems to have better tools to do so, but I haven't used it yet.  What do you all think?  I've read about some improvements in V16 that may make this even better.

Your comments/questions are appreciated.  Thanks!

Brian

RE: 2D in Solid Edge

Yes,

Definitely check out 2D possibilities with Solid Edge. You have the same sketching tools for 2D views and 3D profiles.

You can also draw 2D geometries inside views that were generated from a 3D model.

Finally, There are a lot of tools that help doing the transition from 2D to 3D and/or incorporating 2D data in 3D files using an hybrid approach.

Fred

RE: 2D in Solid Edge

brrian,

Three years ago I also worked for a company using Mechanical Desktop v3, v4, and then v5.

One of our more common parts consisted of a tapered conic and two lofts and numerous fillets and blends.  The time to create a model was typically 8-14 hours.  Blends were always an issue as to the sequence and whether the blend could even be created.

We took the same part to a S.E. user and the first time he sat down with the drawings took only 2 hours and 20 minutes to build the model while we watched.  And .... he had all of the blends in place.

We were quite impressed!

Hope this helps.

RE: 2D in Solid Edge

Hi

I have used MDT6 for a year and a half before migrating to SE v14, it's been six months now with SE and I would never go back. At that time I was considering both SW and SE, SE was far ahead in draft. There were more 2d capabilities in the draft as you can simply use the draft to draw a sketch and print it, and with SW you had to do a sketch in a part file and bringing it in the draft. Now I think that they corrected it so I can't say that SW is still behind.

Be aware of how you want to use the software, yes SE can help you work only in 2D and he is great in 3D, but don't think it will be the same as MDT because there is still somethings I miss from MDT but overall SE is more easy and fun to use.

Also UGS announced a lot of new stuff for a hybrid type of working between 2D and 3D for SE V16, that I think would be great, but it still to see.

In my case I choosed SE and I don't regret my choice but take a deep look at each software and give a hard time to each VAR make them redraw some parts that you want to do with it and be sure that they don't fool you with macros or somethings like that. Also don't give them to much time between the time you give them sample and the time they show you how the software works, because it's the speed that they will show it to you that you will be able to reach once you got use to the software. If you give them to much time they will use workaround to show you that they can do it when it's not really what you want.

Finally Solid Edge deserve as much if not much consideration than Solid works and Inventor. And you won't be disappointed only if you really see what each one can do and can't do. Because honestly they all have their flaws and no VAR will tell them to you. So be ready.

Good luck

Patrick

RE: 2D in Solid Edge

I totally agree with Patrick. The hybrid approach in SE is very powerfull. In V15 you can use Çreate 3D'. Drafting is stronger than in SW as far I know. I use SE a lot, SW much less and I don't have Inventor.

I like SE the best.

Henk

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources