Unigraphics Users?

[chancey]

I am considering taking a new job. The only dilemma is that I would no longer get to use Solidworks. This company does a lot of Aerospace work and therefore uses Unigraphics or UG NX2. Does anyone out there know what I would be up against? The learning Curve? I have used Solidworks almost daily since 2003 and started on 2001. Any advice that might make my decision/transition easier would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Heckler]

I have a friend that uses UG and I believe that learning it compared to learning Pro/e 2001. One thing you have going for you is already understanding parametric Solid Modeling. Albeit, learning UG might be a bit of a challange but I'm sure the new company would pay for training or have group of expert users as a resource. If this job opportunity will enhance your skillset, and career path I say don't look back.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 4.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NIVIDA Quadro FX 1400
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_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

"There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea" Bernard-Paul Heroux

 

[ewh]

It depends somewhat on the modeling practices in place at your new job. You do not have to have everything parameterized in UG. You can still use the sketcher, but your sketch does not have to be totally constrained. You can combine primitive features with sketch controlled features with unparameterized features. There are MANY ways to accomplish the same thing in UG.
Hopefully your new job site has good practices in place and someone to mentor you in addition to some formal training. Like any CAD system, it will take some time to get out of the SW mindset into the UG mindset, but once you do, you should have smooth sailing. Good luck!

 

[ctopher]

I agree. It is a good opportunity. I used it approx 18-19 years ago. It was a powerful system then.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[macduff]

chancey,
My best friend just left my old company to a job in San Diego. The company uses UG and he was pretty nervous learning a new software. He said to me today he's already drawing models and drawings in UG after 4 days!. He said the software is a little backwards from SW, but he said he'll get use to it because of his happiness in his new job.

I hope this sheds some light on your job decision.

Good luck and all the best!

Macduff
Colin Fitzpatrick
Sr. Mechanical Designer
macduff's SW page
Inhouse System
Pentium(4)2.80GHz
Ram 1.00 GB
SW2005 Office SP 3.1
Windows 2000 SP4.0
NIVIDA Quadro4 750 XGL

 

[TheTick]

Spend time exploring all of UG's capabilities. Lots of really neat stuff, especially surfacing. I fondly recall a really great "bridge curve" function for making connecting splines.

 

[J-C]

I've been on UG now for a year after 5 years on SolidWorks. You should be able to be able to get up to speed ok. The concepts are the same, sketch, extrude, revolve, etc.

Still, after a year on UG I found Solidworks was more "fun" to use. UG has a lot of neat features and more ways to do the same thing but it's interface needs work. I terribly miss configurations.

I guess it's what you get used to, I hate messing with layers (UG guys wonder how you can live without them). The sketcher is pretty weak but adequate. etc..little things.

Hey Tick, Bridge curve is pretty neat, You can somewhat simulate it in Solidworks with a 3dsketch and 2 point spline with tangent relations on each end. In 2006, you can add dimensions to the 3d spline tangent handle to control the amount.

Jason

 

[EngJW]

From one who has learned Autocad and Solidworks with no training whatsoever, I can tell you that you will pick it up pretty quick. You will have an advantage of working with experienced users so you can learn what you need to as you need it without having to spend a lot of time with manuals and help menus.