Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Rhino, Was:vector's learning curve

Hi,

I use 3D CAD daily (commercially), as well. As Tim has mentioned, what you
want it for has much to do with what you should choose. Skills transfer
between programs doesn't touch the hobby market, but is important in
business.

Tim G. wrote:

> So, I sit by my contention. Vector is an easy to learn and use
> CAD/CAM program. While it is very capable even in the NURBS
> version it is not as powerful as Rhino. That is the reason I am
> working at becoming a Rhino user.

It seems to me that it is the issue of skills transfer here. I found that
for me Vector's user interface was a paradigm shift from the majority of
common commercially used programs.

Rhino's interface allows ACAD power users to get up to speed quickly. Having
ACAD experience, Rhino doesn't require of me the learning curve Vector
would.

I chose to go the route of having separate programs for CAD and CAM, for the
reasons above.

Vector is a good choice if you need both in one package, will stick with it
during the learning curve, and are not planning on moving to other packages
within the time you'd need to justify some repetition of learning curve.

- Keith Rumley


My perspective of CAD programs and their generalized USER INTERFACE
ease-of-skill transfer family:
(definitely NOT by capability)

Family 1 (Wireframe-ish base)
Vector

Family 2 = (Wireframe-ish base)
BobCAD
AutoCAD R(x)
IntelliCAD
Rhino (probably the best NURBS surface tool out today)
CADKEY
MasterCAM
SurfCAM
OneCNC

Family 3 (Solid-ish)
ProDesktop Express
ProDesktop
Alibre Design
IronCAD
Inovate
ProEngineer
SolidWorks
SolidEdge
TurboSolid (My current 'if-I-could-justify-it' favourite)
DelCAM
Unigraphics
Ashlar-Vellum (Cobalt, etc)
Inventor
Mechanical Desktop
CADKEY (sort of)
OneCNC (sort of)