Work side metrology requires software certification, so it’s Polyworks or SpatialAnalyzer, both $$$$$. Meshlab (open source), steep learning curve, but lots of power. Point-cloud and mesh repair or cleaning, surface reconstruction, 3d scan alignment, etc… Small board projects at work or home, I use freeware KiCad. Other 2D, Circuit boards, Mentor Graphics at work, same class of product line as Catia. InkScape for vector graphics, Gimp for images. Old-school drafting table is my go-to for a quick sketch for paper output.ĢD artwork, I can do what I need with open-source products.

I have done 2d with it, but really haven’t required it enough to get quick with it.Īnyone I use to make parts for me prefer 3D models. Lots of power, runs on your machine, but still a steep learning curve. Tried sketchUp Free, good for sketching, but if you need dimensioning or saving local, not so free.Ĭheap(free) is FreeCAD, I actually like it. Not bad for a cloud app, but is dependent on a good connection. I tried OnShape as part of online Additive-Manufacturing certificate. I haven’t used any descendants of CadKey for part creation since Kubotek absorbed CadKey back in '03. Expect similar price.įor conversion between formats, I’ve used Kubotek Ke圜reator. Looks to play in the same space as Catia. Another expensive product with much power I had no use for. The UI and work-flow of the current products just slows me down.ĭid Pro-Engineer for a while. I’ve been an autodesk product user since AutoCAD V1.3. Much better ease of use than any product from Autodesk. I used that in a prior job and it was very productive, and has an easier learning curve. Still not cheap, but a very solid system.

Same company, Dassault Systèmes, owns SolidWorks. Cost is in the “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it” range. Has a decent API for making your own custom modules. Very steep learning curve, but you can eventually bend it to your will.ĭoes 3D, 2D drawings, gobs of plugins for about every FEA problem, composite design, wire harness routing, CAM, you name it. My daily driver at work is Catia, with Enovia for the Product Life Management.

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