I've used both as well, I would agree w/ Paul. If your just looking for
a
nice 3D package you'll get lots done and get a good 'pictoral' picture
of
what your doing. I use Solid Works all day at work and once you get
using
it, it will far outshine Rhino. But also realise that there is a pretty
heafty price tag to go w/ it. I guess if your in a professional [read
work
place] environment then S-works is the way to go. If your using it at
home
and for recreation.. Rhino will definetly fit the bill.
My 2 cents.
Jarrett
I agree with Jarrett about the hefty price tag to go w/ it. I think
the user
interface to Rhino is much more friendly. Rhino has been good enough
to make the models that I exported to a stereo lithography machine
that made the molds for the sand cast intake manifolds and other
parts.
I expect to use it to make NC machine tool programs for other mold
making uses. Rhino has a few warts but nothing I can't work around
so far. On the other hand I am far from using the latest version.
One of these days I will get around to upgrading.
Paul Lamar
Paul and gang,
I have been VERY busy as you can tell by the fact I have had no time at all
to devote to my favorite subject; Airplanes, and my second favorite subject;
rotary engines in airplanes. Here is a summary of CAD problems and what I
have been up to lately.
I'm looking for a decent mid range solid modeler. I have an old copy of
Solid edge 9. I let the maintenance expire because I never used it. I had a
long term client that gave me a copy of UG as a retainer. I sent them any
prototype or tooling work that I generated. Plus gave them first dibs on my
time. A large portion of the company was sold in a financial restructuring
and the new head honchos are cutting costs. So there goes my cozy
arrangement.
As far as Rhino goes it can't be beat for the price. It is however a surface
modeling program. The solids are extremely weak. The type of parts I design
must be constructed using solid models. There is no drawing. If there is it
only has interface dimensions and it is tied to the solid data base. You
update the solid and the drawing updates
Prototypes are made from the 3D data. The tooling is made from the 3D data
as well. I send the tool maker the data and he makes the tools. You tweak
the tool until everything fits just right and then you have a "master" This
part is put in a CMM (coordinate measuring machine) And the file is
recorded. Periodically the production parts are checked to keep track of
tool wear. Drawings are redundant and there is no way to construct these
complicated parts from 2D data.
Anyway I am leaning towards Solid Works with Cosmos for FEA as a package. UG
is out of reach at around $20K+ in addition there is about a $3-4K
maintenance fee per year. Rhino can be used to do the difficult surfacing
work. The guts are added in the solid modeler.
The following is an example of the kind of parts I deal with. This is a
remote control housing for specialized equipment. It is worn around the
waist. This is what UG is capable of. Multiple intersecting conic surfaces
and blends. The surfacing in this part would be a challenge even in Rhino.
The detail in the sculpted parting line impossible in most mid range solid
modeling packages. AutoCAD..ha. good luck. UG is a powerful package I hate
to give it up but oh well. The only thing that comes close is maybe Catia.
Monty
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