freeform surface modelling

in the first sentence I meant to ask "does pro/E wildfire 2 have partial freeform modelling capabilities like solidworks 2005", the rest of the paragraph is the same.

thanks, Gil alsberg

Comparing packages is always a tough call, first because PTC has so many licencing schemes which change from release to release. But also becuase they occasionally do things like this:

advertises an ID bundle with ISDX for $5k which is like getting Foundation Advantage with ISDX included for another grand. Plus, then, you've got other surfacing functions that could be called 'free form', like Warp; other stuff, like one under Advanced, called Free Form, may require an advanced surfacing module. Or used to. Figuring out what comes with what licensing package is probably the toughest thing to find out in all Proedom. Then, whether it's "like" anything in Solidworks is another big question. We need a Consumer Reports article with price/feature comparisons of major solid modelling brands to be well informed consumers.

David, thanks for your reply, I'm aware of the Pro/e/ISDX bundle special offer. but I was seeking for more specific information/comparison to other packages, that as you wrote, would be very useful if available at some sort of CAD magazine.

Cheers, Gil Alsberg

Hi Gil:

ProE Wildfire 2 has "Warp" which is just like Solidworks 2005 "Flex". Wildfire 2 has a few other surface "tweaks" inherent in the surfacing module.

I've played with a few of these modules and they really aren't much good: what are you trying to achieve?

When you say "free form"; do you mean like the top side of what a cow drops on the ground or simply defining shapes more complicated than boolean combinations of solid primitives? I'm still getting my feet wet but ...

I don't know enough about SW to say it with any conviction, but I believe that WF2 (without ISDX) has better shape definition abilities. Maybe Paul Salvador will offer some thoughts on the subject; he's better qualified to make comparisons than I .

might also be of some help.

I'm generally underwhelmed by warp, deform, etc. tools; very limited practical uses. What does impress me is a really good complement of reliable geometry description / creation tools and analytical tools which WF has (almost as good as Rhino's ).

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solidworks

Thanks Mike, that gives me a bit of clue on Pro/E, I'll hope to gather more information on that topic.

Cheers, Gil Alsberg

John, Did you got the chance to play with the ISDX package/module? I'm trying to decide which modeller with parametric/history freeform capabilities is most suitable for me (I'm designing jewellery and fine art projects).

thanks, Gil Alsberg

Have you tried VX to see if you like it ?

VX has a demo that you can download along with numerous .pdf files for learning the product.

jon

Hi Gil, I'm an automotive designer, so probably don't have the same requirements from my tools as you do. Just because it wasn't much use to me doesn't mean it's no use to you. What I didn't like is the interface, as I had a lot of trouble actually orienting and manipulating surfaces with it. A cheap product I have seen used to surprisingly good effects is Nendo, I don't know if you've seen it?

John.

thanks Jeff, I'll look at those links you sent. when I say freeform capabilities I mean like Rhino modelling capabilities with the addition of parametric/history capability.

cheers, Gil Alsberg

Not yet, Jon, one day I'll hope to try it.

thanks for your reply, Gil Alsberg

"jon banquer" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@individual.net...

Hi John, yes automotive style shapes will be good. I haven't tried Nendo but it seems like a subdivision modeller, where I was looking for a NURBS freeform modeller like Rhino with the combination addition of history manager and parametric sketching and featuring like Pro/E or Solidworks.

Thanks, Gil Alsberg

Well, that might be the way to go, but Pro/e doesn't go that way. Pro/e goes the way of "parametric/history capability" with some Rhino-type NURBS capabilites. But history/parent-child/dependency/associativity comes first in Pro/e. It's Engineering software, it goes by the numbers (which are so important in engineering/manufacturing), but it allows much flexibility within this solid foundation.

David Janes