Re: CAD experiment entry

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Peter Reilley" <micrio@...> wrote:

>
> That is very interesting. I watched the video of Alibre's parametric feature. Do you know
> if Alibre can be driven externally from a spread sheet like MS Excel as you describe?
>
> Thanks,
> Pete.

Pete,

Not that I am aware of. I think the spreadsheet driven approach is one of the things that you get from the high $$ packages and is part of why they cost more. I may be wrong, but I never saw the feature in Alibre when I was using it and I have the top Expert license.

Parametric is not an Alibre thing, but a normal thing with the 3D solids CAD programs like SolidWorks, Inventor, Pro-E, etc. It refers to the concept that you have a build tree of the steps you took to create the model and that you can go back and make changes and the model updates all following steps. In my experience, Alibre does not have as solid a build tree as SolidWorks or Inventor. No real experience with other one, but my guess is again higher $$ = more robust. In Alibre I have many times changed a parameter toward the base of the build tree and destroyed the model. Far less of an issue with higher end products. Also, building with primatives instead of complex profiles and cuts leads to a more robust build tree and easier changes with less rework.

Tim Goldstein
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