Well, AuoCAD (full copy, not LT) can do 3d and gobbled up a lot of has done since release 12 (11?) which was back in the early 90s - and has tools to produce 2d layout views, sections etc. Not particularly slick. AutoCAD still has its uses, as others have mentioned. Electrical diagramming in SolidWorks is a complete pain (whatever happened to the Visio plug-in?), and as others have noted, Architects and Civils still use it a lot (or Microstation, but that's a whole different kettle of UI misery).
SolidWorks wasn't the first past the post for parametric modelling. Parametric Technology introduced Pro/Engineer years earlier. It was the first available for windows (just beating Solid Edge) and is arguably the easiest of the lot to use. The move from hideously expensive kit (Sun, SG, DEC etc) to relatively cheap windoze boxes blew the rug out from Parametric Technology (for a bit, they're now back and fighting fit on #nix and Windows) and encouraged a lot of AutoCAD users to try out parametric modelling.
Not wanting to miss out on the desktop modeller pie, Autodesk introduced Inventor (also known as Imitator, ReInventor etc) and they're busy trying to push mechanical users onto this from AutoCAD.
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Strictly speaking, a lot of parametric modeller functions are Boolean, just hidden by a funky, friendly interface. Booleans are also available explicitly in Solidworks ('combine').
Parametric, history based modelling (ie SolidWorks, Pro/E) isn't the be-all and end-all, as a history based model can be very inflexible when faced with radical changes to the geometry, regardless of how well constructed it is.
Anyone wanting to try out parametric modelling can go www.alibre.com and check out the free xpress version (usual disclaimer - I have no links with with Alibre etc.). A bit clunky, but not bad.
Nit picking aside, your right, SolidWorks and its ilk are pretty amazing and frequently great fun to use.
"Planes are created with metal and composite parts from flat precise mechanical drawings"
Whats a drawing?:-) I've used plenty of subbies that'll accept CAD model files (Solidworks, Pro etc) and don't even bother with a 2d print, dead-tree or otherwise...
Major problem of course (speaking as a mech) is that apart from v basic stuff - changing tyres, oil and lamps - serious car fiddling requires a certain level of electrickery knowledge.
Keep them whizzy lectron thingies away from me...
Anyway, given that even my basic little shopping trolley can do 115,000 miles (so far) without a major hiccup, maintenance might as well be left to the service guys.
Chunkymunky
Last year's snow was crap when I went. In LAPLAND (inside arctic circle)...
Melting snow at the beginning of march. Shouldn't happen till v.late april, early may.
Someone remind me what that old chestnut was about. It's been at least 6 months since I heard even the most idealistic environmental consultant (i.e. the missus) even bother to mention it....
_________
Wot's a sig?
Must admit I hadn't tried that particular trick, as I've always assumed that that will be a complete 'mare as well. Might have a go next time I'm stuck.
If I can get as far as J20 (I come from J26) on a bad day I'll squirrel up tha A41 instead and cut across country back to the M40.
Here's looking forward to Monday!
unless of course you have nose-to-tail juggernauts intent on not letting, or unable to let you on to the road... this is when an alternative use for the hard shoulder presents itself.
M25 J20(clock) anyone?
Slashdot Mirror
Interestingly enough, gems such as BS8888 would tend to disagree. SHould only take us the next 20 years to get used to it, tho...
Really? Why?
must use preview...
Well, AuoCAD (full copy, not LT) can do 3d and gobbled up a lot of has done since release 12 (11?) which was back in the early 90s - and has tools to produce 2d layout views, sections etc. Not particularly slick. AutoCAD still has its uses, as others have mentioned. Electrical diagramming in SolidWorks is a complete pain (whatever happened to the Visio plug-in?), and as others have noted, Architects and Civils still use it a lot (or Microstation, but that's a whole different kettle of UI misery).
SolidWorks wasn't the first past the post for parametric modelling. Parametric Technology introduced Pro/Engineer years earlier. It was the first available for windows (just beating Solid Edge) and is arguably the easiest of the lot to use. The move from hideously expensive kit (Sun, SG, DEC etc) to relatively cheap windoze boxes blew the rug out from Parametric Technology (for a bit, they're now back and fighting fit on #nix and Windows) and encouraged a lot of AutoCAD users to try out parametric modelling.
Not wanting to miss out on the desktop modeller pie, Autodesk introduced Inventor (also known as Imitator, ReInventor etc) and they're busy trying to push mechanical users onto this from AutoCAD.
-
Strictly speaking, a lot of parametric modeller functions are Boolean, just hidden by a funky, friendly interface. Booleans are also available explicitly in Solidworks ('combine').
Parametric, history based modelling (ie SolidWorks, Pro/E) isn't the be-all and end-all, as a history based model can be very inflexible when faced with radical changes to the geometry, regardless of how well constructed it is.
Anyone wanting to try out parametric modelling can go www.alibre.com and check out the free xpress version (usual disclaimer - I have no links with with Alibre etc.). A bit clunky, but not bad.
Nit picking aside, your right, SolidWorks and its ilk are pretty amazing and frequently great fun to use.
"but then just think how cool a stack of white-hot chips would look..."
yeah, not very!
not even a waffer thin fan, mr creosote?
"Planes are created with metal and composite parts from flat precise mechanical drawings" Whats a drawing? :-) I've used plenty of subbies that'll accept CAD model files (Solidworks, Pro etc) and don't even bother with a 2d print, dead-tree or otherwise...
Alibre's file format is based on STEP and maintains parametric info - any idea how 'close' this is to the standard?
Major problem of course (speaking as a mech) is that apart from v basic stuff - changing tyres, oil and lamps - serious car fiddling requires a certain level of electrickery knowledge. Keep them whizzy lectron thingies away from me... Anyway, given that even my basic little shopping trolley can do 115,000 miles (so far) without a major hiccup, maintenance might as well be left to the service guys. Chunkymunky
Last year's snow was crap when I went. In LAPLAND (inside arctic circle)... Melting snow at the beginning of march. Shouldn't happen till v.late april, early may.
Probably. I suspect that they just don't care (I'm alright, Jack)... Sociopaths.
Someone remind me what that old chestnut was about. It's been at least 6 months since I heard even the most idealistic environmental consultant (i.e. the missus) even bother to mention it.... _________ Wot's a sig?
Must admit I hadn't tried that particular trick, as I've always assumed that that will be a complete 'mare as well. Might have a go next time I'm stuck. If I can get as far as J20 (I come from J26) on a bad day I'll squirrel up tha A41 instead and cut across country back to the M40. Here's looking forward to Monday!
unless of course you have nose-to-tail juggernauts intent on not letting, or unable to let you on to the road... this is when an alternative use for the hard shoulder presents itself. M25 J20(clock) anyone?