Re: Comparison of Cadd (again)

I would say the main reason I use solidworks is because of it's
parametric relationships. I love a lot of software out there
because each one does a little something very well. Even
solidworks has it's faults. But, when a client call me after I have
created the solids, printed out the line drawing, and had an sla
model made, and says, "the circuit board is no longer the same
size". I just smile, cuz I am going to charge him a hoot of money,
and I know that all I have to do is double click on a vertical
dimension, type in the new number, and watch as everything
associated with that dimension on the model updates to the new
number. I then just print out the new drawings that have also
been updated. and email the new stl to the 3d printer. I am not
saying that solidworks is the only parametric 3d software
modeler, there are a bunch, but I really think that it is this concept
that will rule the cad world from now on.
I would always call and ask for a student version of any software
package. I know that Solidworks has it, Rhino has it, and many
others do as well. That's how I learned what works well for me.
In fact I use Solidworks, Rhino, Bobcad, Visual mill and even
Adobe illustrator together. You just have to know what will work
with what. And the only way to do that is to experiment. I wish I
had time to learn them all.
Ed.