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Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 2/27/2013 6:32 PM   
N1EDM



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Status: online 		Hi everyone,

I've been using SolidWorks 2007 for a while now. But we've recently upgraded to WIN7 and SW2007 doesn't want to work all that well on it. Yes, I can get it to function, but it frequently locks up.

Is there a cheap SOlidWorks clone out there? I don't need all the add-ons that SW07 had, just basic 3D design software.

I already have Draftsight (AutoCAD replacement) but that's for my 2D work and archives. I'm trying to find something with a similar command structure to SW so that I can get up and running faster.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Bob


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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 2/27/2013 7:11 PM   
Laird SS


 

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Status: offline 		You might try Sketchup from Google. I don't know if it's a clone or not, but it does 3D modeling. Maybe it would be worthwhile to have a machine with the same OS that you were using with SW. Could you rig up a dual boot system?

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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 2/27/2013 8:26 PM   
Hemikiller


 

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32 or 64 bit programs need to be installed differently. I'm running an old 32 bit CAD program - CADKey 99 on my Win7 64bit machine without issues. You do need to install it in the specific 32 bit directory - C:\Program files (x86). 

You also might want to check the Solidworks forums on eng-tips.com or 3dcadforums.com for installation help. To access the actual SW forums, you'll need to register with your SW license. 






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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 2/27/2013 8:38 PM   
N1EDM



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Status: online 		Hello Laird,

I tried SketchUp but that wasn't giving me what I was looking for. It seemed more appropriate for architectural drawing anyway. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Hemi, thanks for that thought. I'll have a look. I've already got experience for two CAD programs floating around in my pointy head (i.e., AutoCAD/Draftsight and SolidWorks) which is why I was looking for something that had a command structure similar to SolidWorks, i.e., so that I didn't have to learn a new package. AutoCAD and DraftSight were very similar so I was able to get over that hurdle easily.

I should also mention that whatever 3D program that I use, it should be able to import my SLDPRT and SLDASM drawings, as well.

Thanks again for the tip... I will look into CadKey. Any other suggestions? Anyone???

Bob


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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 2/27/2013 9:11 PM   
ppljr



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Status: offline 		Try Alibre design. They have a Personal Edition that won't break the bank.

http://www.alibre.com/products/hobby/

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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 2/28/2013 1:29 AM   
N1EDM



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Status: online 		Thanks. I'll give that a look....

Bob


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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 2/28/2013 3:29 AM   
CubCrafter


 

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Status: offline 		Don't give up on SketchUp.

A fully capable program.

I am an architect and use it for my architectural practice every day
and I also use it for aircraft designs that I kit.

The Eindecker EIII is at 1/3 scale and the Nieuport 11 is at half scale.

Larry

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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 2/28/2013 2:02 PM   
N1EDM



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Status: online 		Hi Cubcrafter,

I'd like to see how you did that. I checked out Alibre and it is very capable but it won't interface with SolidWorks drawings unless I upgrade to Pro or Expert which costs $4-figures.

How well does SketchUp interface with SolidWorks formats, or does it??

Thanks,

Bob


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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 2/28/2013 2:32 PM   
CubCrafter


 

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Status: offline 		Bob,

I have never really used Solidworks due to its expense.

I came across this plugin for SolidWoks that exports to a SketchUp file.

http://www.sycode.com/products/skp_export_sw/index.htm

You could try the 7 day license and see how it works.

Larry

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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 2/28/2013 2:34 PM   
CubCrafter


 

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Status: offline 		Bob,

Also what file types can you export to with your version of SolidWorks?

Larry

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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/4/2013 1:12 PM   
Hemikiller


 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: N1EDM

Hemi, thanks for that thought. I'll have a look. I've already got experience for two CAD programs floating around in my pointy head (i.e., AutoCAD/Draftsight and SolidWorks) which is why I was looking for something that had a command structure similar to SolidWorks, i.e., so that I didn't have to learn a new package. AutoCAD and DraftSight were very similar so I was able to get over that hurdle easily.

I should also mention that whatever 3D program that I use, it should be able to import my SLDPRT and SLDASM drawings, as well.

Thanks again for the tip... I will look into CadKey. Any other suggestions? Anyone???

Bob


Bob,

Don't bother with CADKey, it's an old 2D program that we used for many years before switching to Solidworks. I only used it as a reference that you can make a 32bit software run reliably on Windows 7. 

Definitely keep at it with SW, there are people using older version on 7, you just might need a specific way of runnning it. Might have to reinstall the the X86 directory, or run as admin, etc. 

In the end, if you can't get it to work on 7, it would probably be easier and more cost effective to run a dual-boot system, or pick up another XP PC just for SW, than to buy another software package and re-learn. 



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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/5/2013 1:30 AM   
Prboz


 

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Status: offline 		Hi there,

Have you had a look at a program called Virtual Box.

It will give you the ability to run a vertual machine on your pc. (Any other OS in it own envirnoment)

You will then be able to run Software you want under XP.

https://www.virtualbox.org/

Regards

Prboz

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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/5/2013 2:35 AM   
N1EDM



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Status: online 		Hi Larry, I tried that conversion program but my SW is version 2007. That program only converts versions 2008 and up. I'll see if there is a work-around somehow tomorrow. I need to be able to convert my old SolidWorks 2007 programs - I have a lot of work tied up in those files..

The SW was installed in the (x86) directory anyway, but while it works, it still creates havoc. Commands sometimes won't work unless I close the program and re-open, or in some drastic cases, reboot. So, you can see my delima. I've tried running it in the virtual XP mode but that doesn't seem to help...

Prbox, I presume that was what virtualbox is supposed to do. I'm fiddling around with SketchUp but again there is the problem with file transfer - What SW exports and what SketchUp imports don't seem to match...

I'm up for any more good ideas or advice. Thanks for hanging in there with me guys,

Bob


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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/5/2013 8:16 AM   
warbirdcolors



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Status: offline 		I use CADKEY 19, and it is NOT just a 2D program, it is totally a 3D CAD system. I recently upgraded to Win7 and it works just fine. I did however, have to install it twice...Once in the native Win7 environment and also in the Virtual XP machine available under Win7. I only had to do the XP thing because my plotter is OLD (HP DesignJet 600), and there are no drivers available for Win7. Both environments work GREAT.


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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/5/2013 12:54 PM   
N1EDM



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Status: online 		Hello Warbird,

Were you coming from a SolidWorks environment? My reason for asking is to find out whether you were able to import sldprt sldasm and slddrw formats.

I see that there is a new version called KeyCreator listed. I can't find CK19 except on those free download sites... I'll have to find out what the price is.

Thanks,

Bob


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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/6/2013 1:14 AM   
N1EDM



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Status: online 		I just got a call from the KeyCreator rep... He says that he can set me up with KeyCreator (the follow-on to CadKey) for $2000 less than I could get the same thing for in Solidworks...

Geesh!!

Bob


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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/6/2013 10:38 AM   
cuwaert


 

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Status: offline 		2 years ago I decided to leave autocad for reasons of not being able to make complex 3d bodies with it (katana t30). I tried some free cad applications with no result.
Somebody gave me Solidworks2010 and I tought myself using it. Few months ago it began to show some flaws in some functions (all software degrades after some time) so I looked for a crack version of SW2012, found one
and installed it. After a few months it stopped starting up. It remains busy after loading the drawing board window. I cannot reinstall the one or the other after doing the usual tricks. (restoring windows xp? manually removing
all kinds of stuff left over by SW uninstall, shutting down virus scanner and much more).
Again went to free cad programs but they all seem to hide very well the things I need so bad(splines,guide driven lofting, sketching on predefined planes to mention some) so it seem they are just too weak for modelling curvy model airplanes.
I installed DraftSight from SW (it's for free).It's autocad-like but with no lofting, well it's better than nothing.
I think if someone could make a 3d program that is worth the name for a few hundred they would sell quite some licenses.
I can't afort to spend thousands of dollars on a decent 3d program with a lot of stuff I don't need . So I hope something will come up in the near future.

Other thing, I don't understand how the sketch-up specialist here manages to form the wing rib curves because I cannot find any tool to do it.


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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/6/2013 10:09 PM   
N1EDM



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Status: online 		Hi Cuwaert,

I also use DraftSight. It's almost a direct clone of AutoCAD, so I fell into that easily for my 2D work.

I haven't been able to do anything with any free 3D CAD packages. If I could get over that issue with converting SW 2007 files to SketchUp I might have a chance with that. SO far, the closest is that KeyCreator software for $3500... too rich for my blood

Larry, Did you draw those wing sections in SketchUp or were they imported from some other software package? I'd like to find out more about that.

Thanks,

Bob


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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/7/2013 2:37 AM   
CubCrafter


 

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Status: offline 		Bob,

Everything for the Eindecker has been drawn in SketchUp. I do use the pro version for my architecture practice but I could do the same thing with the free version.
There are a great number of plugins that allow you to draw nearly anything with SketchUp and most are free.

I also belong to the SketchUcation forum and you could learn how to use SketchUp from reading this forum alone but there are video tutorials covering just about everything available.

I use plugins for splines, lofting and I export faces of the parts to Corel for cutting on my laser. The laser uses Corel as it's print driver.

I am sure that there is some format that your files could be saved in that SketchUp could import with a plugin.

Here are some other sample SketchUp projects.
The Nieuport 11 is at half scale and the Ryan STA is at 40%. The Ryan is from factory drawings.

Larry

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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/7/2013 3:39 AM   
ppljr



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Status: offline 		For 3d design I would recommend Rhino 3d. Latest version lets you import your Solidworks files without any plugins. Get the free trial and then if you like it you can try and get the educational version for considerably less than the retail.

http://www.rhino3d.com/

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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/8/2013 1:53 AM   
N1EDM



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Status: online 		Larry and ppljr,

You both have good ideas, I'll investigate them. Larry, I found some of the tutorials on the SketchUp website and am going through them. I was curious how you got that lofting on the wing?

I am not sure if I could legally qualify for the student version... and I don't know if that $195 price tag has a time limit on it. Do you know???

Bob


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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/8/2013 2:37 AM   
CubCrafter


 

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Status: offline 		Bob,

Go to the SketchUcation forum and under the resources tab click on plugins.
Scroll down to Fredo6 and click on the Bezier Spline plugin.

This will take you to thread about this and tell you everything you need to know about it.

This is the greatest collection of plugins for SketchUp.

This is what I used to trace the outline of this hand drawn rib drawing.

Larry

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RE: Cheap SolidWorks Clone software? - 3/8/2013 4:24 PM   
N1EDM



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Status: online 		Perfect, Larry. That's what I was looking for.

Thanks a lot!!

Now if I can only get the SolidWorks to SketchUp conversion to work.....

But you got me started, at least. I really appreciate it.

Bob


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