File size is not directly relevant to SWx performance. One small file with lots of circular references or bad large assembly practices will kill the performance drastically.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s the choices you make and the way you work with the software.
I’m wondering if I could find any NX users in this forum, who is using the command “Pattern Component” in Reference to a pattern series in another component? By changing the reference pattern (e.g. edit the driving sketch points of hole feature) who has automated the number of patterned components.
My point is that traditional UG users just add or delete the new part instances. They just don’t think of automating the process, but placing number of sub-assemblies all over the main assembly, wave link and do Boolean subtractions. (Please note: This is not an insult but what I’ve experienced within my limited amount of resources, information and time period. I could be greatly wrong.) Because they are so static (=without calling them dumb) in space, they behave very well in their space without creating any issues to others (= supports Large assemblies very well). For a design change, have to go through the whole process again and again and find and fix the errors manually. I would rather prefer to make the assembly dynamic, smarter and intelligent to use as a simulation tool so that it responds to design changes and optimisations efficiently.
In my SWx time we just thought of reusing the existing subassemblies or parts and automate them in accordance to the written large assembly best practices. In NX, no such “Best practices” documentation and say that NX is flexible. By UG users, I was told “not to worry about computer resources because UG will respond and it’s the best CAD I will find”. Personally for me the UI of NX is in primitive stage and constraining is a joke compared to SWx and probably to SolidEdge too. Drafting is really in 2D era. I see Wave Linking as another over-rated process definition in NX, In SWx external referencing is part of the normal feature creation without much of a deal.
It’s sad that most of the long term UG users have not seen outside of their working process and other development due to their pride or busy changing their static designs. Therefore they don’t know what to ask or demand from the Software developers but just to criticise the new features they get with the new releases. E.g. Most of the users have turned off the new Ribbon Bar and use the old traditional system.
SWx is providing the necessary tools for CAD operations quite efficiently. RMB will give the tools needed at that particular moment, like it’s thinking and working with the user at that moment. Generally no need to chase after menu commands to get the work done. When measuring with NX, we have to tell that what type of element we are going to measure whereas SWx identifies the element/s and show the values accordingly. NX has got better, but I say it has a long way to go to catch-up with the others.
Other good point with SWx I see is that it stays within it’s CAD boundary and let other professional partners develop or customise the software to the next level or for the specific users (Partner products). This way users get the best solutions in the industries from the hands-on practical professionals who know their subject very well. As an instance, NX’s PDW vs. SWx’s Logopress3. Buy the licence of Logopress3 and the next day you start using it. Whereas PDW, a highly theoretical and needs lots of customisation and nobody seems to be using it.
In the question it was mentioned that you produce DXF files. With SWx task scheduler, you could automate to produce those DWG, DXF, PDF, STEP, XT… files at a set time (overnight) and even to link or network other CAD stations to increase processing power temporarily as needed. How many free add-ins Weldments, tool boxes filled with engineering calculators, beam calculators, CAM design tools ect. ect. (I’m sure NX is having some of these modules with an additional cost)
I could keep going the like this for a very long essay.
I’m writing this as a current active user of NX. There are plenty of other software in the market with excellent advancements and performances which has not caught to NX user radar.
So if you think productivity is only building a large assembly, yes NX is a good solution.
Michael Fernando (CSWE)
Tool and Die Designer
Siemens NX V9.0 + PDW
SWX 2013 SP3.0 X64
PDMWorks 2013
Logopress3
FastForm Advance
FormatWorks
![[blush]](/data/assets/smilies/blush.gif "[blush] [blush]")
. I hope you could find some samples fitting your category. 
