Purchasing SolidWorks

[MechElement]

Background:
I'm a mechanical designer in the Middle East
Returing to US to finish BSME spec. in Mech. Des. Mat. & FEA for now.
I'm very familiar with Inventor Series. Advisor says SolidWorks is industry standard for true 3D.

Which package should I purchase?
How much does a license cost?

Thanks!

Jason

 

[rockguy]

You should purchase SW. You can buy a student editon for about $300. You can recieve a free personal edition with a 30 day license or you could buy the full blown version which starts at $4995.

 

[MechElement]

rockguy, are you referring to the standard package? (The one below the Office Professional package.)

 

[GBor]

I've used both in various industries. Assuming you will return to the Middle East, do you know which industry you intend to go into and which CAD package they use?

My personal preference is SolidWorks. I've been using Autodesk products since the late 80's, but switched to SolidWorks a year or so ago. It is more intuitive and is growing rapidly in popularity. It is easier to learn if you are just starting out in 3-D.

Garland E. Borowski, PE

 

[MechElement]

I should have specified a little more. I'm an American and do not plan on coming back here to Kuwait. I have a lot of experience with 3D, so I'm not just starting out. I am finishing my BSME specialized in F.E.A. Mechanical Design and Materials Science. I have been told by my advisor at the University that SolidWorks is the leading industry standard. I am going to go back to part time contract work when I finally settle in back in the US this August. Most companies in my area in the US are using SolidWorks & Pro-E.

 

[ctopher]

Go with SolidWorks.
Search this forum and you will read others experiences with both software. I personly do not like Autodesk products, my opinion.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[rockguy]

That price is for SW base package. SW office Professional is the mid level package and runs around $5495. SW Office Premium is the highest package and includes CosmosWorks FEA among other things. I'm not sure what the Premium package goes for. The SW website lists all the packages and what they include.

 

[J-C]

I thought the base package with no add-ins was $4000?

Jason Capriotti
Smith & Nephew, Inc.

 

[Heckler]

Solidworks is in my opinion is the industry standard. You will need a commerical seat of SWx if you plan to contract but student copies are nice to stay updated on functionality changes. I'm curious what have you been doing in Kuwait? US military or civillian contractor?

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 2.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NIVIDA Quadro FX 1400


Do you trust your intuition or go with the flow?

 

[MechElement]

Heckler, I'm a DoD contractor supporting the US Forces in Kuwait and Iraq. I'm actually the Designer for Halliburton over here. I'm on the LOGCAP III & Operation Iraqi Freedom missions. I've saved enough money to continue my education as I've wanted to do since I graduated from NH Tech. College 2 years ago.

I do plan on doing contract work. Also, I have a plan to utilize SolidWorks for the rest of my stay over here. Right now I'm working on an up-armoring design for all tractor trailer trucks. It's a universal kit... SolidWorks would be very helpful now. I'm doing Everything with AutoCAD 2005. It's killing my laptop.

 

[macPT]

SW Office Premium includes the routing add-in. When purchased separately, the routing add-in is almost the price of a SW Pro and it's not required for the majority of designs (that does not mean that its not useful for those who use it). So you should consider the alternative of purchasing SW base or SW pro with a separete lic of Cosmos Designer, instead of SW Premium (which includes Cosmos Designer).

Regards

 

[MadMango]

If ACAD2005 if killing your laptop, so will SolidWorks. You might want to search these forums for more information regarding laptops and SW.

[green]"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."[/green]
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[ctopher]

How is it killing your laptop? memory? hardware?

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[GBor]

I agree with macPT on SW, but would comment that NENastran seems to be pretty well linked to SolidWorks and may be more widely accepted than COSMOS because of the Nastran legacy. If your going to purchase an FE package separately, you may want to ask on the FEA Forum (forum727)about packages, but be prepared to get a lot of opinions (like mine!). If you haven't done much FEA work, COSMOS may be the right choice because it and SW are owned by the same parent company.

Garland E. Borowski, PE

 

[rockguy]

You might be right Jason. I thought it was $4995 with the package and price changes but I could be wrong. I guess it's safe to the price of base SW is between $4000 and $5000. If you compare that price to full AutoCAD it's a bargin either way.

 

[J-C]

I don't know what prices may have changed, When we bought it, Solidworks, base was $4000 and Solidworks Office was $5000. The maint was the same on both. Now the Office package is gone.

Compared to UG and Catia, it is a bargain. We are purchasing a UG bundle for a remote office here and it's around $18,000. That's for just Drafting, Modeling, & Assy.

Jason Capriotti
Smith & Nephew, Inc.

 

[dogarila]

Guys, maybe you should mention the anual SW subscription and the benefits of having it (or nightmares of not).

 

[ctopher]

I can't imagine NOT having the subscription. Worth every dollar!

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[MechElement]

MadMango, I'm going to purchase a laptop. I'm using the company's laptop now.

ctopher, I'm using the company's laptop now. It's a Compaq Evo N610c w/512MB RAM - Pentium 4m 2.0GHz. When I work in 3D it's bogging it down.

Thanks for all the info. I'm checking it out.

 

[ctopher]

Not enough RAM. Check out

http://www.SolidWorks.com

for hardware to use, the eng-tips FAQ, also

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

has good info.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site