HUDDERS1

anybody on hear use solidworks? I'm doing the 3 day course at the moment.

SiDHEaD

I had to download this for my mate. Looked a lot more complex than say AutoCAD but some of the extra stuff it can do is immense.

Kuohu

Yes I've been using it for a number of years, great bit of kit.

HUDDERS1

yes mate you can do stress test on modeled parts and also it works out where all the week points are. which site did you download it from?

SiDHEaD

Was a torrent for the 2008 version. He uses it at work but wanted it for home for some reason.

MJW

I've been using it for a while & been on the courses. If you've done AutoCAD you'll pick it up no problem. I actually prefer Solidworks for all my 3D stuff now, but still use AutoCAD for the 2D. The training courses are really helpful though. Once you've done the first course the rest are pretty straightforward. In fact the firm that I did the courses with is in the google ads at the bottom

*pslewis*

We use Unigraphics for 3D work, Autocad is best for 2D and Mentor Graphics for PCB work. Solidworks is a good package, Pro-Engineer is/was good too.

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

Used it for a few years. Use Inventor now (company decision). I preferred Solidworks to be honest. I still trial Solidworks though to see how it compares with the annual updates.

for 3D work and design they pee all over AutoCAD for me. (use it as well and MJW does for 2D work still)

TopBanana

Is this sort of software appropriate for design wooden furniture, or would it be overkill? I want to design/build an uber-treehouse and don't think I'd get it right with pen and paper.

PeteBrant

Surely you would need to model the tree, for complete accuracy.

It's the right software to do it in (our mechboys use iDEAS and NX-5) but it would a few lifetimes

*pslewis*

We are just going over to UG NX-5.

I would have thought a TreeHouse design on these packages would be a bit of overkill where the TreeHouse tolerance is plus/minus 2 foot We work so tight that a few degrees rise in temperature can change the dimensions to a significant effect ..... microns.

Kuohu

Sidhead, you mention that your mate wanted to use it at home as well as work, but I believe that this is allowed legally by Solidworks (having a home as well as work installation off the same licence) because they recognised that a large number of people wanted this. May be worth checking this out with your reseller, plus of course it keeps everything legal.

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

Ideal for furniture design IMO. For a tree house though you would probably be as well using AutoCAD.