3D Modeling

[Essex502]

where are you at and what do you need.
got it all here, including the 3axis cnc mill,
p.s. don't listen to those PRO-E numbsculls, it's WORTHLESS!!!!!!!!
got Cadkey and Mastercam thats all I need to make anything you can dream of.
CADKEY? My GAWD.....that's an antique!

[Essex502]

Only hackers use anything other than Proe or SDRC.
I have made a good living fixing the mistakes made by peolpe trying to be cheep the first time by using one of the lower end CAD packages to do products. You get what you pay for!!! The reason ProE is difficult to use is because of is accuracy. It will not allow you to make the hacker mistakes you can get away with in the cheap, easy to learn, programs. They allow mistakes in the data that will come back to haunt you when you start cutting production tooling form it.
"Do it right the 1st time" is my advice to anyone trying to develope a new product. Or you will end up paying for it twice.
Actually having sold, supported and implemented (Level II CEP) Pro/ENGINEER for the past 16 years - back to Rev 4 - I can say honestly that there are some packages that are approaching the performance of Pro/E in basic modelling. These are the ones I listed above. For general purpose prismatic parts they work pretty well at a significant savings in learning curve and cost. When expanding from prismatic topology into lofted surfaces or using higher end functionality such as cable routing, harness layout sheetmetal, integrated 5 or 6 axis mfg., mold design, etc., etc... the Pro/ENGINEER package offers a wider integration. Only CATIA can compete across the board with Pro/E's total functionality. However, only a very few shops need that breadth of functionality. The midrange packages such as Solidworks and Inventor do a fine job in meeting the needs of these users.
Evaluate, evaluate, evaluate.

[the_gray_goose]

A buddy of mine works in the automotive design industry and has some renderings drawn up that he wants to take to the next level. He is now looking to model the designs into some sort of 3d modeling so he can get a 360 degree view as well as have the ability to accurately input proportions. He needs to be able to look at it in proportion to see if the design will look correct as well as be functional. He also need the ability to pull dimensions off of the program to give to the guys who are going to clay model the vehicle. I know that there are a bunch of different programs available out there, but I don't have a clue when it comes to this stuff. He just asked me if I knew anyone and I told him I could check around and see what I can do.
Danny
I have also been using Proe since 1989. and if you read the reason he wants to moldel this from above "He also need the ability to pull dimensions off of the program to give to the guys who are going to clay model the vehicle"
It sounds to me like we are not talking about moldeling boxes here. sound more like complex surfacing.
Essex502 are you a Scicon boy???????

[Essex502]

I have also been using Proe since 1989. and if you read the reason he wants to moldel this from above "He also need the ability to pull dimensions off of the program to give to the guys who are going to clay model the vehicle"
It sounds to me like we are not talking about moldeling boxes here. sound more like complex surfacing.
Essex502 are you a Scicon boy???????
Fock no....I help get the Scicon guys started. Scott Turner and I worked at 3D System prior to my leaving to get into selling/implementing Pro/E at a reseller in 1989. Scicon came into being in 1990 I think and we helped get them started by taking them along on our customer calls to help them sell the RP business. It completed our pitch...art to part!

[SummitKarl]

Fock no....I help get the Scicon guys started. Scott Turner and I worked at 3D System prior to my leaving to get into selling/implementing Pro/E at a reseller in 1989. Scicon came into being in 1990 I think and we helped get them started by taking them along on our customer calls to help them sell the RP business. It completed our pitch...art to part!
ok lets put this in perspective, MIKE!!!
I will even go lower on the poll = Autocad in Havasu vs. Pro-E in So.Cal or Nv.
Pro-E in So cal or NV.
1) you wake up about 5am?
2) fight with traffic for at least 1hr or 2
3) sit in cubical all day
4) put up with 15 other CAD guys all tring to get it done "THEIR WAY"
5) fight with traffic for another couple of hours
6) arrive home at about 6-7pm
7) on the avg. a Pro-e-guy can make about $100 per hour.
Autocad in Havasu
1) I wake up when I am good and ready about 8am
2) NO TRAFFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3) sit and draw 1 set of house plans, while looking at the Lake all day
4) no other CAD guys whineing
5) NO TRAFFIC!!!!!!!!!!
6) go on lake about 5pm
7) I am WELL PAST!!!!!!! $100 per hour this year
so which one is better?
a fool and his money are soon parted = purchasing PRO-E
oh by the way did mention how SMOOOOOOTH the lake was this evening!!!
<BIG HAPPY GRIN>

[shueman]

ok lets put this in perspective, MIKE!!!
I will even go lower on the poll = Autocad in Havasu vs. Pro-E in So.Cal or Nv.
Pro-E in So cal or NV.
1) you wake up about 5am?
2) fight with traffic for at least 1hr or 2
3) sit in cubical all day
4) put up with 15 other CAD guys all tring to get it done "THEIR WAY"
5) fight with traffic for another couple of hours
6) arrive home at about 6-7pm
7) on the avg. a Pro-e-guy can make about $100 per hour.
Autocad in Havasu
1) I wake up when I am good and ready about 8am
2) NO TRAFFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3) sit and draw 1 set of house plans, while looking at the Lake all day
4) no other CAD guys whineing
5) NO TRAFFIC!!!!!!!!!!
6) go on lake about 5pm
7) I am WELL PAST!!!!!!! $100 per hour this year
so which one is better?
a fool and his money are soon parted = purchasing PRO-E
oh by the way did mention how SMOOOOOOTH the lake was this evening!!!
<BIG HAPPY GRIN>
There ya go....!!! NICE setup... :wink:

[Raisin Wake]

Try Anim8or (http://www.anim8or.com/) .... It's free and works really well. It can export to other modeling programs as well. I used this program and it's pretty easy to learn... Good luck!!!!!