Big step for me coming over from VectorWorks to Solidworks. Having said that, let me state the following after 3 weeks of using this program.
Things I love about SW
- The way holes are treated like objects and just not mere solid subtractions.
- The whole part-assy-drawing work flow.
- Parametric parts libraries.
- OpenGl real-time rendering.
- Working with models from an isometric or non standard plane approach.
- Piping Add-on
- Defining parts with dimensions.
- Design tables
- Feature Manager
- Overall feel of the program
- Photoworks
- VRML and the integrated HTML publisher.
Things I hate about SW
- No automatic view label with the view scale, not the sheet scale only.
- Lack of simple drafting symbols like graphic scales, different view and section callouts etc.
- No simple align tool/function in part, assy and drawing modes.
- Documentation, or lack thereof.
- Flaky performance.
- Flakier stability.
- Even flakier save to pdf.
- Ctrl-C, Ctrl-P ability to copy and paste parts, assy's, sketches, components etc.
- Small selection of importable file formats.
- Cosmos can only test parts, not assemblies.
- Inability to detach the feature manager and locate on another monitor.
- Detached tool menus will not stay in place on dual monitor setup.
- No snap for detached tool menus.
- Inability to use multiple XL tables throughout a drawing.
- High price
Overall I just love the program and look forward to committing myself to it. I guess I just expected this program to be a little more polished like Adobe or Macromedia software.
Kerry Donnelly Radiowave Industries, Inc.