The Alibre Challenge 2

[swertel]

I'm looking into purchasing a CAD program for my own use within the next year. I've used the mainstream CAD programs for different companies, but definitely can not personally afford the cost and maintenance of the midrange CAD packages. I'll be using Alibre for personal interest and possibly for some side jobs, as long as they don't interfere with my current job or family. On those terms, I won't be making enough money with side jobs to have the CAD program pay for itself, that is, unless I buy Alibre. Not to mention Alibre appears to lend itself to the interoperable CAD design so I can support multiple customers with one CAD package.

Anyway, to the point, has anyone taken and beaten "The Alibre Challenge"? How good is this program, really? I do mechanical design: machinery and tooling. I would like to get into rapid prototyping. Does Alibre fit the bill?

TIA,

--Scott

For some pleasure reading, the Round Table recommends FAQ731-376

 

[clark440]

I am not sure about the challenge, if I remember correctly I think some told me that one person did win. He did something in SolidWorks that couldn't be done with Alibre. From my experience Alibre will do most anything you need it to. It is relatively new software and does have some improving to do, but for the price you can work around a lot of minor limitations.

So far the only major limitation that I have seen, (this may not be major to you) is that you cannot by default display dual dimensions in drawings. However I was told that this will be addressed in V7 due out late this year. All drawings that I generate must have both inch and metric dimensions. When it comes to support Alibre beats the competition like red headed step kids. It simply can’t be beat. If you are having a problem you contact an Assistant or a Consultant and they help you real time with YOUR design. This is still one of the most impressive features in the software.

Hope this helps
Clint
Alibre name cclark440

 

[swertel]

Thanks, Clint.

I did notice that Alibre seems to be on a twice-a-year release cycle and is catching up on the mainstream packages quickly as far as functionality. Plus, they still have all the collaboration tools that the package was originally developed for.

--Scott

For some pleasure reading, the Round Table recommends FAQ731-376

 

[SeanDotson]

Part of the fine print of the challenge is that if Alibre has a workaround it's not "beaten". So I have a model in Inventor with lots of complex fillets. You can't apply these in Alibre. However since you can sweep a filleted shape boss in Alibre it's not beaten. Just takes an hour insted of 5 mins.

The software has lots of potential and it's price to feature ratio is super. However as I said above some things just take a lot longer with Alibre. When you are working contract every hour counts. If you need to do real designs on a daily basis it's just not quite there yet.

-Sean Dotson, PE

http://www.sdotson.com

 

[TateJ]

Also there's some other fine print in the "challenge".
My impression is that there's a set of catagories - and that if they're already beaten in the catagory that your entry fits in - then you're SOL.
It was kind of vague, but that's what I walked away with.
Perhaps some of their techies will visit this forum and clarify for us.
BTW: I have 9 days left in my evalution.
I'm shopping for the same reasons as swertel.

tatej usfilter.com​

 

[scottatalibre]

Hello Folks,

I heard that a group had been started on this site and thought I would check in.

Wanted to let you know that we're going to significantly up the Challenge reward soon. Stay tuned for details.

You are correct, there is only one winner per category of challenge. Please let me know if you have any other questions about it. Btw, we also have some other interesting programs about to begin, stay tuned for details on those as well.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you guys have so fire away at anytime.

Best regards,
Scott

 

[SeanDotson]

Well Scott I personally think the whole "workaround" thing is not exactly on the up and up. I mean sure I can dig the chunnel with a tunnel with a spoon but there is no comparision to doing it with a machine.

Sean Dotson, PE
Inventor Tutorials & More

http://www.sdotson.com

 

[scottatalibre]

With all due respect Sean, the nature of your website would lead me to the assumption that you are a little biased toward Inventor? I'll be the first to admit that we have work to do, but we're closing the gap rapidly. Perhaps most importantly though, we treat our customers with the utmost respect, provide top-notch support, and listen to product requests in earnest. Consequently, we are carving out a growing, loyal customer base in this extremely competitive market. I can assure you Alibre Design is being widely used to "do real designs on a daily basis".

 

[swertel]

I just want to remind everyone here about the site policies and to take a minute to review them. I sense a flame war or some other type of non-welcome posts to this thread.

Now, not to get in the middle of the potential war... Yes, Sean has an inventor website and uses it a lot. Based on his history of posts, his only bias towards it is that he uses it the most. I use Solid Edge the most because that is what the company I work for has installed. Does it mean I prefer Solid Edge and I bash all others. No. I realize CAD is just a tool and that's what I use. I actually asked to start this Alibre forum because I feel it is a great up-and-coming product with incredible potential. As of this last release, I consider it usable for the type of work I would like to do when I venture out on my own, thus my curiosity about it and the fact that I started all the threads in this forum.

To get back on topic, the fact that workarounds are allowed in the competition is kind of shoddy without a limit to those workarounds. To build on Sean's example, the fact that Alibre wouldn't need a fillet or chamfer tool at all because I could revolve or extrude a cut feature gives the same results. I wouldn't beat the challenge because Alibre gives me the same ends, but I surely wouldn't buy the product because the means to get there is too cumbersome. I think the challenge could be redefined to compare not only the end product, but the means to get there. User want ease of use and to work-as-expected. Having to sweep, revolve, or protrude a cut is not expected.

--Scott

For some pleasure reading, the Round Table recommends FAQ731-376

 

[SeanDotson]

First you'll get no flame war from me. I just want a good debate of ideas.

Second, Scott (Swertel); I'm glad you see my point. I just want to place a fillet. Whay should I have to use a workaround?

Finally, AlibreScott; I use Inventor the most but I wouldn't say I'm biased. I prefer Solidworks when doing surfaces. I just don't think that Alibre is quite there yet. I speant the last 60 days (2x demos) working with Alibre to evaluate it. I love their active help features and the simplicity of some of the features and workflow. However the software is not quite to the level of other programs as evidenced by some shortfalls such as the fillet problem I sent in.

The price/features ratio is superb. It's actually quite amazing.

That being said, a Honda is a great car for the money. However sometimes you need a Corvette to get the job done.




Sean Dotson, PE
Inventor Tutorials & More

http://www.sdotson.com

 

[aepeszel]

I have tried Alibre to compare it to Inventor and Mechanical Desktop. I do not like it, because it seems to require a log on to the internet every so often. I feel it is worse than windows. I think Inventor Solidworks and Solidedge are better programs and would suggest these over Alibre.

 

[TateJ]

My 30 day trial is over, so I can't double-check this...
But - I'm pretty sure that even though it encourages you to log-on every time you use it - you always have the option of working stand-alone.

I get some disposable cash with every paycheck.
I still plan to buy Alibre as soon as I scrape enough together.
Then I'm gonna hang my shingle out there...

tatej usfilter.com​

 

[warburton1]

The main reason, I think, for the occassional logging onto the Alibre server is to check for the license status. With a full license rather than trial license you don't have to log onto the server except to get an upgrade.

 

[scottatalibre]

Just wanted to clarify a few things for folks on here . . .

Alibre Design can be run offline or online, it's completely upto the end user's preference. This goes for both customers and trial users. The default mode is online, but this can be changed from the Home Window > Tools pulldown menu > Options > Sign In tab.

Working online provides real-time access to the technical support team, and also allows you to work, communicate, and share data with other users of Alibre Design who are online. Obviously the collaboration capabilities aren't for everyone, but many people use them and find value in doing so. Software updates are also delivered via the server (CDs are available as well).

 

[kroth]

I stumbled on Alibre accidentally - never knew it existed:
(Have just recently started learning SW)
It seems to fit my needs better than SW - main problem I see is integrating with the established base of SW users. SW appears to be winning the race of becoming a widely accepted standard tool (??).

As stand-alone, to use it to develop new products, independently - excelent, it seems to me.

However, how about consulting in a business based on SW, for example -- or employment by this same business ?(locally, there are installations from 1 to near 300 seats in SW, and growing, supposedly).

Wouldn't learning SW to enter the 3d world (from an Autocad 2d base - which I have used for years for simple 2d product concept development) ultimately pay off better -or is it easy to slip into SW mode if needed from Alibre (the cost of SW is definately a burden for independent engineers).

 

[swertel]

Learning a CAD package is like learning a foreign language. The concepts are all the same, but vocabulary and grammar change.

And, since MCAD packages are all trying to answer the same question, development with current technology is leading to the same answer. In other words, the vocabulary and grammar are very similar between packages.

So, to answer your question, slipping into SW mode is easy from Alibre design. It may be a little tough at first because the user is noticing all the differences between the packages. But, after your learn your 3rd and 4rd CAD package, it all becomes easier because the user starts to notice the similarities more than the differences.

--Scott

For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376

 

[kroth]

SO:

Would you recommend learning Alibre first, or SW first?
(from near ground zero)

Regards

 

[swertel]

Alibre first.

It's cheaper and currently easier. Its "grammar" is just like SW. The main difference is that Alibre isn't loaded with all the extra bells-and-whistles that SW is, so you get to the meat of the program right away and can be productive without having to first weed through all the extras that you may never use.

--Scott

For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376

 

[njk000]

It's very nice to see a debate about this software.
I have also just discovered Alibre, and as a Solidworks user of 5 years, now on my own, and without much in the way of resource, I can't see much alternative to the use of Alibre. The only annoying factor for me is the .step file import, as usual, is not feature based and, therefore without constraints, which have to be rebuilt for assemblies, if you want to utilise any retro work.
A "work-around" for this would be really welcome for any migrators like myself.
I hope to contribute again in the next week or so, or before my trial runs out.
Again, good to see some healthy chat on this subject, it would be nice to think that the independant had a chance in this world. Nick from the UK.

 

[bme0319]

Check out VX

http://www.vx.com