Surfacing software 1

[mreader]

I am in need of more surfacing capabilites (for plastic molded parts) than SolidWorks offers out of the box. These are listed as partners:
SurfaceWorks
Alias StudioTools
ShapeWorks
GeometryWorks3D

Can I get some feedback from anyone who has used any of these programs?

Thanks!
Mark Reader
Incisive Surgical

 

[neilc78]

I have been looking at geometryworks for helical splines etc but there does appear to be a huge amount of surfacing capability in it too. You can download a 30 day trial at

http://www.cadcamcomponents.com.

It comes with a 480 page manual. I also found the guys there really good to talk to so you could give them a call on 949 728-1309 (USA) - not sure who you should talk to about surfacing. Good Luck.

 

[SBaugh]

Also check out Rhino

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[Theophilus]

mreader3D, what sort of surfacing capacity do you want?

Rhino is popular among other ID guys, but I find its lack of parametry useless for the design I do on an every-day basis.

Geometryworks looks strong, but the return on investment seems to be diminishing somewhat as SW is offering more and more powerful surfacing capacity.

Sometimes people want to create surfaces they can push and pull into shape. I've used such software and have found it surprisingly limited in making form for human interfaces (sooner or later you'll need to define things with valid dimensions anyway). Also, the loss of parametry for step-by-step processes is something I would hate to give up. However, not all forms of this sort are for human interfaces, so there is definitely a place for such options.


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[mreader]

Looking for something I can use for a handheld medical device where asthetics and ergonomics are a big part. I as well want to keep parametrics within the model so this limits my choices to integrated products. The push/pull software you mention, would that be ShapeWorks?

 

[Theophilus]

ShapeWorks is probably what I was thinking of for SW. You can do that with Rhino, too, but with no way to edit your changes (no parametry).

I'm checking into some surfacing modules myself, for curiosity. A few years ago, the modules were far too expensive to justify their benefits for my use.


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[mreader]

I've done some more digging and it's down to ShapeWorks and GeometryWorks3D as the best options in my case, and maybe yours. I'm told both are around $1,000.
The differences as I see are ShapeWorks is more of a free form package and GeometryWorks3D is a high precision surfacing package (aerospace background).
I'm also going to look into some surfacing training for SolidWorks as it may be possible for it to do what I want but I'm just not aware of it's full potential....

Mark

 

[SBaugh]

If you are wanting free forming surfaces you might want to wait for SW2006. They showed this at the SWWC with push and pull surfaces.

Get in the beta program and check it out, before you go and buy a 3rd party. If the Beta version of the surfaces is what you need then i would go and purchase the software.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[Theophilus]

Scott, good call. Thanks!


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[mreader]

I'll check it out. Any ballpark timeline for release of SW'06 been released?

 

[SBaugh]

Summer time most likely. Beta should be out soon and that is where I would test it out first

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[mreader]

Have the beta downloading as I type....