CAD systems........from 2D to 3D? 2

[ECL]

I work for a company that designs and builds car trailers. We are currently using ME10 2D CAD and are wanting to upgrade to a 3D parametric system.
We need a package that can help us design couplings, suspension systems and chassis including doing all the FEA on assemblies. The problem I am finding is that all the packages seem to be very much the same. I have looked at Catia V5, Inventor, Solid Edge, ProE and Solid Works.
All the salesman which I see all seem to get very bitchy about their competitors and distinguishing between the packages is impossible.
Can anyone give me a clear decision on what package would be best as this is driving me mad.

 

[wroberts]

CHECK THIS THREAD OUT. IT HAS 56 RESPONCES.

thread404-3090, WHICH 3-D SOFTWARE IS BEST.

MY 2 cents: SolidWorks, with Visual Nastran.

Will

 

[swertel]

As is shown in the thread that wroberts has posted, there aren't significant differences between CAD packages anymore and the differences are less and less with each new release. So, first choice ends up being price, but that is the wrong way to go.

You say that you talked with the salespeople for each CAD system. Have you had them in for a demo yet? If so, call them back for another one. Have them create one of your most complex parts from start to finish... that's the demo. Time willing, have them make other parts as well that shows different strengths of the software. Take a couple easy parts that can be assembled with a complex part, even if it is none sensible. Detail the whole thing, down to the GD&T. Sheet metal parts, surfaces and other "swoopies" all have to be shown outside of the canned demo. This way, you get to see the power and ease of use of the software for "real world" applications, not just parts that have been scripted and pre-made to look good. During the demo, make sure you find out what hardware the CAD package is running on. You'll be amazed that you computers work great for 2D CAD, but are painful to operate with even simple 3D geometry. Be ready ($$$$) for the hardware upgrades and additional file management.

They hate talking about other CAD packages because the only difference really is price, and if they're more expensive, they're not going to say it. Also ask about interoperability between CAD packages, the companie's (reseller's)length of time in business with this CAD package, follow-up support (should be free by phone), training, & onsite support.

Finally, you want to know about 3rd party add-ins. If you just want a 3D CAD package, you can just get a 3D CAD package, but few companies stop there when they see the benefits. Next is CAM, CAE, PDM, and so on. Make sure the CAD package you get has support by the other packages you may want.