Solid Edge vs. SolidWorks 4

[65Roses]

I'm currently evaluating each program by going through the tutorials of each. Currently my company has a few seats of SE but my department only uses AutoCad. I've been given the choice of which program to upgrade to. Since our company all ready has a few seats of SE does it make sense to select SE on that basis? We are a manufacturing facility so we don't do much design work. We occasionally design or modify jigs and fixtures. I'm hoping to import CATIA files and build jigs and fixtures around our product. I know SW has a lot more seats out there in use and it would probably benefit me in the long run if I was familar with SW if I had to ever change jobs. On the other hand SE may be the best fit for our company since others are all ready using SE and we could consult with one another to learn and improve using the SE software. Any opinions?

 

[swertel]

I'd stick with what you have. No reason for the added expense when both are very capable programs. And, once you grasp the basics, transitioning from one parametric modeler to another isn't that hard, it's just a matter of understanding the "new" way to work. All the requirements are the same -- sketch and protrude.

Solid Edge, at least v17 just coming out, does have a CATIA tranlsator. The interoperability with UG/NX could also benefit you if your customer base grows to UG users and not just CATIA.

--Scott

For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376

 

[65Roses]

Our seats of SE were purchased one at a time. SE is used in a different department and at different manufacturing sites. I would say we have no more than 2-3 seats. The only reason the seats were purchased was because the customer of those departments uses Unigraphics. I don't think that is a valid reason for selecting one package over the other. Since we don't interact with these other departments or share files I'm free to chose which ever package fits our group the best.

For my evaluation I'm working through the tutorials of each comparing notes as I go. I see things I like about both as well as things I dislike.

 

[PatCouture]

The way I see it, The best software is the one that suits your needs the better. When I got to choose one software over the other in the fall of 2003, We realized that SE was better suited to our kind of production. So we went with it and never regretted it. I really like the way solid edge guides you through his features, and each features is structured in a way that you know where your going. On the other hand it's very frustrating at the begining because you know what you want to model but can't get it until you understand exactly what SE want you to do before going through the features. So it takes a little while to understand the way SE is made but once you get it, it's very easy to work with the software.

Good luck

Patrick

 

[tz101]

Do you want intuitive software that is every bit as capable as the 'big guys' at creating complex geometric models, assemblies, and drawings? Hands down, SW is the way to go. Your current base of 2-3 SE users may or may not argue otherwise. I have used both SW and SE, and can attest that I was creating complex shaped consumer product models, assemblies and drawings the first week we had the license, before I ever attended one day of training. I came from a Pro/E background and thought it to be the best thing out there, but even it cannot compete with ease of use and ituitive user interface of SW. The truth is that SE cannot either. I would take SW over Pro/E or SolidEdge any day, any way. If you are being limited by the corporate accountants, then SE may be your destiny, but an extra dollar spent on SW is a dollar well-spent. Be careful before you make this decision because it may well haunt your company for many years down the road. Take it from a person who has used many 3D CAD tools.

 

[swertel]

I too have used many CAD tools: CATIA, UG, SE, SW, Alibre Design, Pro/E (not Wildfire).

Hands down in my opinion, is Solid Edge or Alibre, but that's just my opinion. The reason I like SE is because of the user interface (ribbon bar) and the picking order of commands. It fits better with the way my mind works.

If I had to buy it myself, I'd definitely go with Alibre. The difference in user interface is something that is learned and adjusted to.

In the end, all were capable programs and all fit the requirements of my designs. In other words, it's not like a choice of one CAD package over the other meant that I could create a part or not. In all cases, I could have picked any software and created each design on it. The methodology would have been different, but the end product would be the same.

In the end, try creating an actual product on each program. The tutorials of each only teach you the methodology and highlight the programs strengths. All you care about is that you can create your parts. Test those and good luck.

--Scott

For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376

 

[tz101]

All you care about is that you can create your parts.

Really?

I would think that ease of use, and intuitive feel of program would be nice, especially for the user who will be on the system eight hours a day. How well does SE do automatic fastener population and/or their holes? How easily (few steps) does SE allow the user to copy and paste part or assembly features? What about ease of sketching? Does SE allow feature creation from non-constrained sketches? What's the learning curve to become reasonably proficient with the software? If the user is familiar with MS Office products, then the overall look and feel of SW will be of great benefit. As far as installed user base: There may come a day when your company will need to hire additional help. Might it be easier to find talent for one system than for the other. Just wanted to illustrate that many other factors should be a concern in this decision.

Make Jesus your Lord, and you will never regret it!

 

[swertel]

tz101:

You forgot this quote from my previous statement.

The difference in user interface is something that is learned and adjusted to.

You also forgot this one.

The reason I like SE is because of the user interface (ribbon bar) and the picking order of commands. It fits better with the way my mind works.

So to quickly answer your questions, SE is the most intuitive and easiest to learn and use, in my opinion. I can get the most efficient use out of that program compared to all others I've used. Alibre is second. As far as the remainder of your questions, those are personal and my opinion on those will not help SPSU97 in his decision. It is his personal feel and taste that matters, not mine.

I'm not going to get into a flame war with you. I have found that many people, especially SolidWorks users for some reason, dead-set on their CAD package and take any criticism to the CAD package as a personal insult. Personally, I think of CAD packages as a tool. In the end, I'll use whatever tool gets the product out the door because that is what makes money. How it gets there is of little concern as long as it is on time and within budget, barring any illegal or unethical activity, of course.

Scott Wertel, P.E.

 

[beachcomber]

Had to reply to this one.
In my opinion, for Solid Edge :
Ease of use and intuitive - 10/10. Consistent workflow.

Automatic fastener population and holes - can do it but I've never really used it except for patterned parts in an assembly.SE also has systems library - save a group of parts and assemblies as a separate assembly file and place them all in one hit (including the holes and fasteners).

Copy and Paste - Yep, can do those, including features, sketches and parts. Do a layout in 2D draft and copy/paste it onto a sketch in either parts or assemblies.

Ease of sketching - dead easy.

Feature creation from non-constrained sketches - Yep, even partly-constrained. Also does protrude/cut from multiple closed profiles even if they overlap, and from single OPEN profiles.

Learning Curve - about the same as SW in my experience.

MS Office - Totally integrated OLE client and server.

User base - depends on your industry, and it's far quicker to learn systems such as SE and SW than it is to get the required industry experience. eg Automotive, Aerospace.

 

[beachcomber]

Forgot to mention complex geometric shapes - SE has excellent surfacing commands. Curves can be drawn or generated from an MS Excel spreadsheet embedded in the part file.
I agree with Swertel - there does appear to be a distinct 'my CAD is better than yours' feeling from SE users.
This is a Solid Edge forum for helping people with Solid Edge, not for trying to push users to another system.
Lets try to be constructive and unbiased.

 

[beachcomber]

OOOOPS - meant to say SW users !!

 

[tz101]

SPSU97,

I guess I have officially been 'told'. Please keep an objective outlook on this issue, and take into account that the overall objectiveness of any replies may be, in fact, hindered by this thread being posted in the UGS: SolidEdge Forum. I've taken my lumps, but mostly am concerned with organizations making decisions based upon incomplete information. Don't take my word. Test drive both packages for thirty days. Benchmark with a part and assembly of your own. See for yourself which is easier to use. More importantly, see if both will do even your most complex parts/assemblies in a fairly successful fashion. Make your decision based upon this comparison. You might be surprised.

He is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother!

 

[swertel]

Well said, tz.

--Scott

For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376

 

[tz101]

I forgot to mention: SW has much built in AutoCad functionality, including AutoCad-style command line (toggled within system properties), good translator for .dwg and .dxf, and .dwg editor built directly into SW2005. All of this makes it a pretty easy transition for AutoCad users with lots of legacy data.

lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

 

[swertel]

And since this is a Solid Edge forum.

http://www.solid-edge.com/pressroom/2005/042505.htm

But let's not forget that all MCAD players recognize that they are most likely replacing a 2D AutoCAD system and are doing everything in their powers to make the transition easier. In other words, Solid Edge, SolidWorks, Pro/E, Alibre, etc. all have ways to work with AutoCAD files.

--Scott

For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376

 

[Kenny_G]

As others have said, the best way to choose is to evaluate prospective systems, but 30 day evals is probably not the best way to do it. You will never discover all the potential in any of the systems unless they don't have any. You need to set up a comprehensive benchmark test and have the demo jocks from each perform it for you, and it is best to have a portion that they recieve in advance as well as a portion that you spring on them during the benchmark. And make sure to run it through your entire product lifecycle practice. Also check out their support structure and the strength of the company (Do you talk directly to the company when you have a problem? will they be around in 10 years? Are they American owned? Who owns the technology that they use since they all employ component technology such as the modeling kernel and 2D/3D constraint managers).
It is easy to pick an apparent winner by hearsay and adds, but that can quickly change when they are put to the task. Ask your fellow employees why they chose SE over all the other software and how they like it. Personally, I think SE is better than anything else out there and UGS is a strong company with the majority of the PLM market and is sure to keep growing.

Ken

 

[db43]

I would suggest a through trial of all programs being considered, Solid Edge, Solid Works etc. on your product with your people at the controls. Have the sales reps all come in for on site demos.
I can say that having worked with Solid Edge for some 9 months, including a four day class, there is no way I would use my personal funds to purchase that package. Note that SE V17 ( 300 changes) and V18 to be released in September, 2- upgrades in one year!! is an attempt to keep pace with the ease of use of Solid Works.

If you are after productivity look around! Solid Works may be the key. After all, your designers and engineers were not hired to be computer geeks. Do the home work, make the hard decision and insure you get your designs out the door.

 

[mfrayser]

For me, the tech support available with Solid Edge is second to none. Back when I dealt with SW, support was provided thru VARs. I didn't care for this. I felt my voice was not being heard. The VAR may or may not work to get my issue resolved.

I prefer having the direct telephone support of Solid Edge. I also like having a web site to report issues, track the progress being made on those issues, access to a Knowledge Base, and a having a "private" user group.

 

[donyoung]

[...]
For me, the tech support available with Solid Edge is second to none. Back when I dealt with SW, support was provided thru VARs. I didn't care for this. I felt my voice was not being heard. The VAR may or may not work to get my issue resolved.
[...]
this may the case in US but in other countries support is through
VARs or Resellter only so the last sentence applies.

IMHO the question is not SE or SWX but which CAD matches most
of my requirements. For those that do further evaluation is
necessary.

dy