Catia vs UG - future prospects

[roseda]

Between Catia and Unigraphics, which has the better future in terms of design, manufacture & integration with analysis software?

Also, why are companies using Catia V5 when it seems to still be in a beta phase of development - are they just being loyal?

From my experience with both systems, Unigraphics seems a lot more user friendly.

 

[Tetragrammaton]

Hi Roseda,

Sorry this is a bit long winded but I am sure it covers alot of what others are probably wondering about UG & CATIA also.

I have only used CATIA V4R2 for a very short time (2 months) but have found I can create/modify sketches & solids, but surfacing in V4 is a whole other ball game. I am sure the thought might be CATIA V4 is old to look at but quite a long standing performer otherwise it would not have survived so long.

I must say I am very much interested in also hearing from anyone about the differences between UG & CATIA. I have been using UG since V9 & also been using IDEAS since V8. Now thing is IDEAS & UG are being merged into UG MS V21 in about 2004 from what I know. So there will not be as much use for IDEAS and eventually its lifespan will finish, I know it could be years or even a decade but it fate is sealed nevertheless. So I think getting skills on another system such as CATIA V5 would be a good choice but would like to hear others thoughts on this.

I am not totally decided on CATIA V4 as it is a little antiquated although still quite widely used. I am thinking it will eventually be overtaken by V5 when it is more accepted. I hear various comments to the effect that it is not 'Product Ready' thus users are unwilling to take the plunge and go with a possibly unreliable/unproven in terms of log standing performance, like UG for example.

From many forums and discussions I have noted that Ford or at least their BIW Div. (I think) will be going to CATIA V5 as there 'apparently' been alot development work between them and IBM over the last year, amongst many other sources all seeming to indicate a similar trend.

I for one am looking forward in terms of continued skills development an think CATIA V5 would be a good choice. I know that Pro/E would probably be a good choice also but I think I see the is alot of potential in CATIA V5.

So lets hear some thoughts/comments/...critisisms perhaps.

Best Regards

Dave