Thread: 3D CAD

I am a mechanical design engineer and do a lot of machine design work. We use acad 2011 and inventor 2011 for our 2d/3d software. Overall its a good software and in the last 2 versions has become quite powerful. I would say a few years ago if you wanted to go for advanced designing stick with SOlidworks/ PRo-E but now ehh they are all in the same league. Pro-E is probably the most powerful software but its probably the highest learning curve to it. If you can work with solidworks, inventor is a easy to transition to and vise verse. Look into trial/ demo cds of each software (and other companies) to see what you like the best.

Side note the most powerful/ best 2d software is autocad bar none though it will cost you

I am a senior engineering student at Colorado University, but we use autocad 2011. It's what I'm used to so I'm biased towards it. As far as what software to recommend, it depends on what you plan to do with it. Are you drawing details, layouts, do you need the 4th and 5th axes capabilities, etc. I do think solidworks is one of the best softwares for 3D CAD, it has a great user interface and function capability. I would recommend sticking with software you have experience with, I hate having to use new software to get a project done quickly. Then again, it depends on what your coworkers have experience with too. If they highly recommend a different software then just have a walkthrough session or something.