Mechanical Enhancements

[Guest]

Hi

As for background to the final point:

Just had Larry Conkin of ALGOR FEA phone me from Pittsburg USA. A few very good points surfaced. In looking into other Mech CAD packages, SolidWorks surfaced as a very good one with the COSMOS FEA range built in. My perception was that an all in one package will be the solution to all problems in this field.

Not so, SolidWorks never told me that they were previous ALGOR USA FEA based before buying the COSMOS FEA range. My problem with SolidWorks is still that it can do only part of what we actually want and we still will have to buy parts of ALGOR. Big problem and one that I do not want.

Also have Larry told me that in the SolidWorks program there is a ALGOR TAB that actually activate the Algor package and transfer your dwg directly into ALGOR with the SolidWorks file extension not a given negative factor.

Final Point to be made:

Thus in VW - is it not possible for VW to look into such a ability with the minimum of cost on their behalf and enhance VW on such a way that it can be ALGOR FEA "friendly". It will be of great help and a marketing tool for VW and broaden the use of VW.

Thus if I make a calculation then SolidWorks on it's own is still more or less only a drawing program with more or less the same features as VW (excluding stuff like exploding/assembling etc) With VW upgraded to have the same basic standard trend like features and an ALGOR FEA "TAB" included, why buy anything else ? It will be able to run VW packages more or less for all needs.

Partly passing the buck to the specialist in the FEA deparment to the advantage of the user, - buy ALGOR FEA application packages as needed as "standalone" package but very powerfull.

So - VW support your USA counterparts.

Will also post it:

1. Wish List

2. General Discussion Area.

[quigley]

Just spotted this one and as a SolidWorks user I'll pitch in....

Firstly let's be clear here. SolidWorks and VectorWorks are two totally different beasts. If you are modelling and drafting very simple objects and all you need are drawings then VectorWorks may be OK.

If you treat the 3D system as a component of a complete design system though VectorWorks doesn't cut the mustard as we say.

Modelling is SW is faster and easier and a lot more robust than in VW. Yes VW has some nice Plug ins like chains and gearing but then you can get manufacturer's parts in SW format as well.

I don't think it is fair to compare VW to SW anyway. VW is 1/5 the cost of SW here.

A better comparison would be say Alibre Design, which works in a similar manner to SW (eg parts/assemblies/drawings).

In terms of integration with FEA I'm not sure you have had the best advice. Algor has full integration with SolidWorks and all popular MCAD 3D systems. If you set up an FEA analysis in Algor if you then return to SW to change the model those chnges are refelected in Algor. Pretty much all the FEA systems available have this connection now to popular 3D systems - ANSYS, ALGOR, COSMOS etc.

Indeed, I think Algor offer a version of Albre Design as the front end modeller for the ALGOR FEA systems.

Getting data from VectorWorks into FEA is also simple - export as a ACIS .sat file - this will import into most systems, or at the very least if you are using Algor and Alibre - import the .sat file into Alibre Design and run the Algor FEA from there.

Your point about VW having links into FEA is valid not only for MCAD but for AEC design. But before that happens NNA need to overhaul the 3D side and make it work like their competitors.

[Guest]

Yep - played with SW. Great program.

But I still say VW can get towards it. Not without cost, that I know and I am willing to pay that extra it will cost for the user who wants it. It is just great to have a program servicing all disciplines and I do not expect it to cover every little corner but most of it. VW 3D needs anyway a heck of a lot of attention and what is it for VW to have as per example all the I beams straight into 3D as PIO ?

My base argument is that VW have all it must and can have as current base CAD to excel to a great MECH CAD. It is just there.

And being through Alibre - not a change, although thoroughly based on SW with one of their programmers the lot, to handle complexities and large files as VW. With Alibre V10 they even warn you on their demo's towards that.

Alibre will stay for a workshop based, small project program. But it is a great program and I think as the user base is growing it will start goiing down the aisle towards SW.And Alibre grew like heck, it is actually unbelievable.

Edited November 3, 2007 by clb