Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: CAD experiment entry

Hi all,


I feel I have to comment here on parametrics. I tried Alibre in the early days,
and it was wonderful for hobby sized stuff, but I do injection mould design -
lots of variable blended surfaces etc, and this totally broke the parametrics in
Alibre. It has probably been improved since, but this put me against the whole
parametric approach. I bought VX in the end - also a parametric modeler - big
mistake. I spent more time keeping track of what was going on in the history
tree than working.You put way too much reliance on the history tree - if this
breaks and you are 2 weeks into a project you are deep in the proverbial. I have
tried other packages too, solidworks being one, but just not cost effective, at
least here where I live. Rhino seems to me to be the best all round modeler, but
even it has its moments. I love the freedom to work, and not worry about the
parametrics. And the editing tools are so strong that changes are generally
quick and easy.

It is a pity that one usually only finds shortcomings only after one has bought
a package. My approach now to hotshot sales guys is "Well it looks good, let me
work with it for 6 months. If it works for me I'll buy it!" So far, no takers!
But in the end, everyones requirements are different, and the best is to ask
around and get opinions from real time users. All the sales guys do is dazzle
you with with the strengths and hide all the weaknesses.

Regards, Brian



________________________________
From: timgoldstein <timg@...>
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, 15 December, 2010 2:57:36
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] 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
A2Z Corp
A2Z CNC division
3955 S Mariposa St
Englewood CO 80110
720 833-9300
Toll Free 877 754-7465

www.A2ZCorp.us/store
USA made accessories for desktop mills & lathes.
Specialized tools for the jewelry industry.







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]