Solid Modeling For The Home Shop Machinist
 

I'm of the opinion that every home shop machinist can benefit from solid modeling. One of the major benefits of solid modeling is the ability to create assemblies/use mating.

The problem is cost. What are the alternatives available to expensive mid-range modelers like SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, Solid Edge, etc. that offer assembly modeling functionality? It seems like $2,0000 is the entry level price for a product that has assembly/mating.

Suggestions for CAD solid modeling that has assembly functionality that's more affordable?

Solid Modeling For The Home Shop Machinist
 

On 12/19/2013 1:27 PM, jon_banquer wrote:
I'm of the opinion that every home shop machinist can benefit from solid modeling.
One of the major benefits of solid modeling is the ability to create
assemblies/use mating.

The problem is cost. What are the alternatives available to expensive mid-range modelers
like SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, Solid Edge, etc. that offer assembly
modeling functionality?
It seems like $2,0000 is the entry level price for a product that has
assembly/mating.

Suggestions for CAD solid modeling that has assembly functionality that's more affordable?



There is that old oats and horse question again, jon.
Better quality oats always command a higher price.

How much photo-realism is enough for what you want to make?

Design CAD 3D max. (Again) $69 at Frys.
All I DO know is that I can draw up my stuff, fair surfaces,
check for fit, print full sized patterns,
and in the end end up with pretty close to what I drew.

Get the CAM package too?

Solid Modeling For The Home Shop Machinist
 

On Thursday, December 19, 2013 3:00:15 PM UTC-8, Richard wrote:
On 12/19/2013 1:27 PM, jon_banquer wrote:

I'm of the opinion that every home shop machinist can benefit from solid modeling.

One of the major benefits of solid modeling is the ability to create

assemblies/use mating.



The problem is cost. What are the alternatives available to expensive mid-range modelers

like SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, Solid Edge, etc. that offer assembly

modeling functionality?

It seems like $2,0000 is the entry level price for a product that has

assembly/mating.



Suggestions for CAD solid modeling that has assembly functionality that's more affordable?







There is that old oats and horse question again, jon.

Better quality oats always command a higher price.



How much photo-realism is enough for what you want to make?



Design CAD 3D max. (Again) $69 at Frys.

All I DO know is that I can draw up my stuff, fair surfaces,

check for fit, print full sized patterns,

and in the end end up with pretty close to what I drew.



Get the CAM package too?



It's a very competitive market that has way too many players.

A few years ago the Chinese entered the market with their acquisition of VX. The Chinese are also major investors in IronCAD.

At various times good deals become available.