Design start up - software requirments

[wado]

I currently have the possibility to independently contract for a former employer doing machinery design and documentation work. I'm verbally guaranteed 6 months but I need to determine my future market. Since documentation and 'clean up' work would be a foot into the door for new clients, I'm concerned that after investing $12,000+ into Unigraphics software I would be limiting my market to only UG users.

My questions are: 1) Is it normal for small design firms to purchase multiple CAD software to accommodate clients? 2) Is there a list of companies that currently have UG seats in the Northeast (or entire USA)?

Any comments or suggestions appreciated!!

 

[nbucska]

CAD files may not be compatible even among the different
version of the same CAD program - so small companies
are heavily penalized.

What other CADs are there? Which ones can be converted --
and have conversion SW -- to and from UG?

Can you find other companies who own these systems and are
willing -- for a fee - to convert files?



<nbucska@pcperipherals DOT com> subj: eng-tips

 

[GregLocock]

1) Yes

2) Anyone who is in GM's orbit, I should think.


Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[tygerdawg]

UG is one heckuva powerful and expensive package for machinery design. I personnally know of no one who uses it in freelance work. Does your business plan (do you have one?) indicate that you can have it pay for itself in a reasonable period of time? I would wonder about that.

Make a counter proposal: have your company "rent" or "loan" the UG to you for the duration of the contract. In the meantime investigate some of the less expensive mass-market CAD packages (SolidWorks, Inventor, SolidEdge, Alibre) with which to grow your business. Keeping your expenses down to an absolute minimum will allow you to get through the dry spells longer than if you have to pay off that $12K UG debt.

TygerDawg

 

[SeanDotson]

I have to agree with TygerDawg. Do you really NEED UG? If it's machinery design (plates and cylinders) a lot of the mid range packages do what you'd need at a much lower cost.

If you HAVE to have UG then again Tyger's suggestion of a "loaner" copy from the company might be the answer.

I find that each customer wants stuff done in their own CAD program. In the end it's always better to have multiple software packages (if you can afford them and have the time to learn them all)

Sean Dotson, PE

http://www.mCADForums.com

CAD Professionals & Consultants Discussion

 

[RDK]

Just make sure that the loaner copy is a legal loner copy.

There is an ethical issue involved with software licenses.



Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion

http://www.kitsonengineering.com

 

[SeanDotson]

But of course. I didn't mean to imply he should do anything illegal. I've had companies let me use one of their unused licenses in the past.

Sean Dotson, PE

http://www.mCADForums.com

CAD Professionals & Consultants Discussion

 

[GregLocock]

That's nice. I'm surprised that the license allows loans, since, specifically, that has caused us a lot of friction in the past. After all, if you have 3 people working in 8 hour different timezones, how many licenses do you need?






Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[SeanDotson]

For most networked software as long as those 3 people aren't using it at the same time; 1 license is all that is required in your scenario.


Sean Dotson, PE

http://www.mCADForums.com

CAD Professionals & Consultants Discussion

 

[RDK]

Better read your license terms and conditions carefully.

For example most Microsoft products (Windows is an exception) allow installation on one primary computer plus one laptop or home computer provided it is one person who is the primary user.

However Visual Basic.Net is sold per developer. That is you can install as many copies as you want but only one developer can use it. This applies if you install it on only one machine and want two different people to be able to use it. You need two licenses.


RTFM

Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion

http://www.kitsonengineering.com

 

[SeanDotson]

I was mainly referring to CAD software (however even they are changing their license terms on each release).

Sean Dotson, PE

http://www.mCADForums.com

CAD Professionals & Consultants Discussion

 

[ProEpro]

Often you have to use what your customer wants if they need the cad files to be compatable with thier system. The problem with geting several packages is that you usualy are only good enough with one of them.

Look at Solid edge it is also from UGS and is very comptable. Also there are cheaper version of I-deas that could be comptable enough (artisan package).


ProEpro

http://www.whitelightdesign.com

Pro/E FAQ

http://www.whitelightdesign.com/servicestips.htm

 

[Cogs]

There are some companies around who will lease the software and charge by the project (or period of time), so that you can purchase a short term license.

This will give you the ability to have several CAD packages on your workstation but the only one(s) that can be started up will be those with an active license. A web search for "CAD hire" or similar should get you some contacts.

This may solve your problem of having to use other systems without purchasing outright a seat for each one.

I have a seat for SW but know that if I need to use a specific system then the option is there.

With regard to other UG seats in your region you could try asking your regional UG VAR for a list.

Regards
Colin Brown
SucomE Design and Technology