DISQUS

Q: "Could it help developing countries? Take a look and join the discussion!"
"Could this be the perfect food prep device for the long haul or countries needing to sanitize water and food?"

3rd world countries would benefit from something that could cook & clean water at a fraction of the cost...Though that product looks cool, a cardboard box is usually all thats needed...

http://solarcooking.org/newsletters/scrjul04.htm
http://www.usscouts.org/scoutcraft/oven.asp

What about UG's ability to go featureless? (Synchronous technology).
The one shop I've done work with loves it. They've been through Inventor, SolidWorks and settled on SolidEdge. "The less expensive version"... (They do allot of work for GE Power systems- that may have persuaded them to go that direction). Yah think? ~$100 million a year for maintenance on all those seats of UG NX. They ain't changing anytime soon...

All I know is that PTC had better do something new and different. I've been using SW since '97 and with the starting of a new job 4 months ago, I've had to take up learning Pro|e. Went to the (1) week introduction class and have been using it for about (3) Months now. As I said...PTC better do something or they will continue to drop like a rock. IMHO...

*The GUI.
*The endless pull downs.
*The applying of constraints in assemblies.
*The drafting package.

OUTDATED. Or maybe a better word...Cumbersome.

Don't get me wrong, its not that Pro|e doesn't get you were you need to go, its just so laborious to use. Stale, cold & so "yesterday"...Sorry,-had to plop that word in..

If I was a shareholder in PTC, other than selling my stock, I'd be pushing them to update the offerings. i.g. CoCreate.
Wildfire may look cool on the outside. But its not much better than its previous versions. (from what a few long time users have said - in faint muffled voices and arms twisted behind their backs...)

Even looking back on the PTC training ...
-Of course, the Pro|e instructor had to dog all other 3D packages out there throughout the week of training. I was determined to try and have an open mind and keep my mouth shut. Most of the time this worked. But on a few occasions the outright lies (or ignorance of the competitions capabilities) made my speak up in class. At the end of it all the only way he could explain the difference between Pro|e and SW was like some see computers....

"Some like Macs and some like PCs.
What would you rather have, he asked...
A flashy new graphical Mac, or the time tested "geek" PC crunching numbers for you when doing mechanical design?"

It was at that point I decided to keep the instructors score card for filling out at a later date to send to PTC directly rather than being filtered through this guys boss...

This video http://vimeo.com/2612213
of Jon Hirschtick and the History of CAD has helped me to also get the direction CAD has come from as well as were its going - a bit clearer in my head as well bettering my ability to explain it to others.

Personally, what would keep me loyal is not so much of whats "next" but rather, keep what we have working well (reliability) & Listen to the users. They'll have plenty of fresh ideas to introduce future modifications to the software.
And another thing -if I may keep on rolling.
One thing that makes or breaks a deal. The local representation. The person that comes to put on the show - the company whos going to bail you out when stuck - your first line of contact for help...They had better know what the heck they are talking about. Many of the smarter companies I've listened to have shot one or another packages down due to poor representation with the potential customer.

Maybe I've been fortunate thur my years with SW. In the 11 years I've been with one VAR thats taken the time to truly explain things and be there to go the extra mile. I'm going to miss doing business with them. All we have now is the ability to call PTC in (I believe) India. Great support...

\ Long rant off \

No surprise they use SolidWorks...!

You think you could "solve today's problems" using anything other 3D package and get it done before we melt away with global warming???!!!

;) ...click click click...line. click click click click click...from here to here... ;)

'Been solving, designing and outperforming so called "high end packages" for about 11 years with it...

tyler,
Your not in NY are you???
In fact -Upstate?

The situation you describe sounds very fimilar to a company I visited a few months ago...

How about some of the doors from StarWars...!

Fast acting hydraulics? Maybe some Pneumatics?

If you watch closely - the details in the doors from these movies are pretty well thought out!

I've had this idea for years.!
Its about time someone made it happen.

I just wonder what level of company could afford/ justify -it...

Could you imagine that PO going across the purchasing desk...?!

hummm.

One joker or mad spouse with a knife...And that "Bimmer" would be swiss cheese. Just imagine explaining that to the insurance company.




PS: (BMW motorcycles are "Beemers" - Autos are "Bimmers".)

"I say Microsoft needs to Open Source this software and let everyone go buckwild with development."


...Right...

Has anyone given this a run?

Indiana is very cool...

But whats cooler than that...? Say it with me now...Star Wars...

A new fully animated "SW" (not to be confused with SolidWorks) is due in theaters August 15 and then a series is to follow on Cartoon network and TNT this fall...

I'll have to see how this full automation thing sits with me...


Man, I wish I still had that X Wing fighter I had as a kid in ~1979-80...!

Thats it...
Ipods, Flash drives...I'm going next year, even if I have to use vacation time...

Success Story...!
All they would need is a few "in use" images and testimonials of how this product has changed privy life as we know it...

Yah', could you imagine a car that was actually reliable to over 200K miles!!!?

Hum, I hit 220K miles with a Nissan Altima.
I hit 287K miles with a Subaru Legacy.

I guess they don't have the same politics and marketing gurus...
Next car, Honda.

See a pattern...?

Then, when ("they", all of the MFGs) -get their acts together (decide to sell really economic/ reliable/torque monsters), there will be a Diesel Accord sitting in the garage...Yah ~60 MPG and less pollutants than the Gas version. Imagine that.

Either that or a BMW 1 series diesel thats just about in the same ball park for MPG with a notch up on "spirited" driving abilities...That is, if we get to see them on these here shores.

4 wheels and say 26% less MPG...That'd still be ok.

Funny how the big 3 say they do not have the tech to build a car that will meet the new MPG law that "may?" go into effect...What was it, 35 MPG?...

Maybe their Eng dept needs to give this guy a call...?

Josh,
You can only export those edrawing models IF they set it up initially to allow you to pull that info...Right?

But I can do the same thing with the IGES files... No?

Its cool and all, but I think I'll stick with my Motorcycle and 70 MPG...

L.Kutcher

But to add to the above...
Its a great idea put down on paper...Farm tractor engine with a VW transmission! Gotta' love the creativity!

I really think that Bio-diesel is a great option for the time being. Until the next big thing hits...


LK


---But does it have cup holders? And can I put a set of 20" rims with spinners on it? :)

Correct me if I'm wrong here...From the site.

The XR-3 Deluxe Plans Package is priced at $200. The Deluxe version includes everything from the Standard version plus a CD-ROM and DVD.
The CD-ROM will include electronic 2D CAD files (SolidWorks e-Drawing files and dxf files), 3D models in SolidWorks e-Drawing formats, links to free viewers, and a construction manual set up to run in a web browser with click-to-enlarge color photos, video clips, iges files for CNC machining, and more.

So if I'm reading this correctly, there are no native SW files...?

I see:
E-drawings
DXF
3D models in E-drawing format
iges

No mention of SW parts/assemblies or native SW drawings...
"Open Source?" Kinda'...
Am I being picky...? Kinda'...

LK

Take the time to actually work (with) them. WATCH the process unfold.
I spent a few months in a machine shop learning what can and cannot be done.
From there on, almost every vendor I try to visit and ask them to explain what works best for them and what does not.
What do they expect to see on a print.
What solid files can they work with.
How do they expect to see the model - in relation to tolerances from the prints.

LK

Well, I just downloaded the free version of SC.
The surroundings seem somewhat familiar.
The commands again, somewhat intuitive.
The results from some commands are surprising.

The lack of history at the left side of screen -a bit disconcerting...

I guess I'm not a free thinker...yet.

Kutch

Isn't one of the top dogs at SpaceClaim a "former" Big dog of SolidWorks?

Long story short, SW buys SC.


Kutch

I used to jump in both feet when it came to upgrades.
After getting burnt a few times on projects that needed to be gone yesterday...I now wait at least to hear from the community, including my VAR how its going overall...