CAD: Direct (Explicit) or Parametric?

[McAndy]

Evening. I've recently had a demonstration of a direct modelling CAD software, SpaceClaim, and I was very impressed by its speed and ease of use. It seemed like a mature product with toolbox libraries, a close working relationship with a workflow and PDM management system and GrabCAD integration if workflow isn't required.

I have been user of SolidWorks, Inventor and most recently Creo for a good few years now and I am wondering what parametric brings to the table that modern direct modelling cannot do?

I have read reports regarding it not being good for doing many configurations of one part: is this still true? A few places seem to combine both practices, direct for concept modelling and Parametric for Production, but I haven't been able to see why? I am in a medium size assembly business that subcontracts sub-component manufacturing.

Any recent (last 2 years) experiences would be gratefully received! I like to scenario test as much as possible before committing to a trial period. (I know that the trial software is free, but the IT and personnel time isn't.)

Let the debate begin!

[Insanity Magnet]

McAndy said:

Evening. I've recently had a demonstration of a direct modelling CAD software, SpaceClaim, and I was very impressed by its speed and ease of use. It seemed like a mature product with toolbox libraries, a close working relationship with a workflow and PDM management system and GrabCAD integration if workflow isn't required.

I have been user of SolidWorks, Inventor and most recently Creo for a good few years now and I am wondering what parametric brings to the table that modern direct modelling cannot do?

I have read reports regarding it not being good for doing many configurations of one part: is this still true? A few places seem to combine both practices, direct for concept modelling and Parametric for Production, but I haven't been able to see why? I am in a medium size assembly business that subcontracts sub-component manufacturing.

Any recent (last 2 years) experiences would be gratefully received! I like to scenario test as much as possible before committing to a trial period. (I know that the trial software is free, but the IT and personnel time isn't.)

Let the debate begin!

Since this is still a bit quiet... I am a long-time user of SolidWorks (98+ onwards) that was getting a tad narked with the lack of product improvement and consistent quality. I ran a trial of Solid Edge last year to see if it could deal with the wide range of crud I deal with. This includes complex surfacing of consumer products, machine design, furniture and arty stuff. It took a little while to get my head around the basics of the synchronous modelling approach but started to make some headway with it (I had some time free so tried to recreate various past projects, or at least the challenging bits). I generally couldn't see many major issues with it, other than trouble adjusting models with complex filleting and some problems with how it dealt with extending and offsetting irregular surfaces (SolidWorks will fudge stuff in a manner that may or may not be acceptable). Didn't like the interface much, either (I know, I know SE is more "grown up").

The big(gest) problem I have with SolidWorks, and where I can see direct modelling being a god-send, is dealing with other people's models. The number of modellers that are incapable of creating a robust, easily understood and easy to debug model is quite worrying and damned irritating. "Too busy" is the excuse I frequently hear...

[McAndy]

Insanity Magnet said:

Since this is still a bit quiet... I am a long-time user of SolidWorks (98+ onwards) that was getting a tad narked with the lack of product improvement and consistent quality. I ran a trial of Solid Edge last year to see if it could deal with the wide range of crud I deal with. This includes complex surfacing of consumer products, machine design, furniture and arty stuff. It took a little while to get my head around the basics of the synchronous modelling approach but started to make some headway with it (I had some time free so tried to recreate various past projects, or at least the challenging bits). I generally couldn't see many major issues with it, other than trouble adjusting models with complex filleting and some problems with how it dealt with extending and offsetting irregular surfaces (SolidWorks will fudge stuff in a manner that may or may not be acceptable). Didn't like the interface much, either (I know, I know SE is more "grown up").

The big(gest) problem I have with SolidWorks, and where I can see direct modelling being a god-send, is dealing with other people's models. The number of modellers that are incapable of creating a robust, easily understood and easy to debug model is quite worrying and damned irritating. "Too busy" is the excuse I frequently hear...

Indeed. We are also considering SW to replace Creo but the compatibility (or lack of) is a major issue. A direct modeler would remove any legacy issue there, as long as drawings can be handled, too.

[Insanity Magnet]

McAndy said:

Indeed. We are also considering SW to replace Creo but the compatibility (or lack of) is a major issue. A direct modeler would remove any legacy issue there, as long as drawings can be handled, too.

I haven't used Creo, did use Wildfire on and off for a few years. I shudder to think how some of my acquaintances would manage although I gather it is slightly more accommodating of dodgy modelling practices nowadays.

Drawing wise, most CAD packages seem to be fairly competent for drawing creation. Obviously, SolidWorks isn't AutoCAD / uStation in terms of flexibility and I have always found creating drawings for architectural installations a complete PITA. My approach was going to be that I kept legacy CAD as legacy and then move to SE for new projects. Do you know if any of the major packages manage native handling of other drawing formats?

The other advantage with direct modelling, of course, is not getting into the software version gotcha. I have successfully annoyed a fellow designer recently by moving his work onto SW2015 after he had promised to upgrade, and then omitted to inform me that he had changed his mind until a month down the line (he has a shiny new workstation with 2015 on it gathering dust, but can't be bothered to move his email over so therefore has to stay on the old version...). He's four years behind the curve at the moment even though up to date on subs.