CATIA or SolidWorks – Which is the better option?
Whether you work in manufacturing or product designing, you may have come to know that it is ideal to work with a professional engineering service provider. Ensuring that the design firm you choose, uses the right set of modeling tools for the design process. However, sometimes it is difficult to find a clear comparison between different 3D modeling software programs and what they have to offer. So, choosing between different available software can turn out to be a daunting task. There are plenty of options when it comes to CAD software. CATIA vs SolidWorks is the talk of the town at the moment. CATIA and SolidWorks come with t犀利士
heir unique set of features and functionality. But which one should you choose?
This post discusses everything you need to know about CATIA vs SolidWorks and how to make the right decision.
What are SolidWorks and CATIA?
Owned by Dassault Systems, SolidWorks was launched in 1995. SolidWorks is a parametric 3D modeling software . That is, if any changes are made to the dimensions, the 3D model will change its shape accordingly. It contains a host of powerful tools, such as the ability to draw using assemblies or parts, simulation tools, and more. SolidWorks is extensively used by professionals and engineers and is often taught at engineering colleges. The tool has an user-friendly interface and comes with plenty of features and functionalities. The most common industries that use SolidWorks include medical, education, machinery, product design, and industrial.
CATIA is also owned by Dassault Systems and was first released in 1977. Most of you don’t know, but it is a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software. It is used by product managers and engineers to manage primarily CAD data during the development of the product. This data helps in improving the workflow and productivity of the team involved with product development. CATIA lets you track all the changes and modifications done to the product during the development stage. Ever since its launch, CATIA is dominating the aeronautics, aerospace, and automotive industries. This powerful 3D modeling software is used by engineers to design cars, aircraft, and other complex products. CATIA is aimed at engineers and professionals belonging to large enterprises. This software boasts a great set of tools that can be used for engineering designs based on your company’s preferences. Boeing is one such company that uses CATIA for manufacturing aircraft-related products and parts.
SolidWorks and CATIA are two full-fledged software solutions that cater to your 3D design needs, irrespective of the industry. Both the tools have their own set of pros and cons. They not only include tools for 3D CAD modeling, drawing, and sketching, but also boast numerous types of algorithms and an extensive set of computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools to perform real-world simulations and testing.
Why Does It Matter?
As an engineer or a designer, you might wonder why it matters which tool you go with, as long as it gets the job done. Well, it does make a difference. There are a number of reasons why choosing a software recommended by your 3D modeling service provider. The following are some of the most important aspects to take into account:
- File type compatibility and export/import functionalities
- Collaborative and business features
- Functionalities of the program and the included design features
- The specific industry the software was originally designed for
How Do They Compare?
CATIA SolidWorks are versatile software toolkits that are useful in an array of industries.
CATIA is a suite of different tools and programs for many different CAD applications. However, when you get a CATIA license, you cannot choose from the predefined options. You will require calling the CATIA sales representative and tell him/her exactly what you need to program for. Only after that, you will be presented with a quote for the suite package that may include all the modules you wanted. The suite may include tool sets that are highly industry-specific.
If you look at SolidWorks, you first need to determine what industries do SolidWorks users work in. SolidWorks users are essentially industrial or mechanical engineers and designers boasting different levels of specialization. SolidWorks tools are designed to cater to the needs of small-to-medium-sized industries and companies.
Overall, when deciding between SolidWorks and CATIA, please consider factors like cost. CATIA is far more expensive, but it cannot just do everything you want. There are a lot of limitations to the tool. SolidWorks, on the other hand, has far better features and functionalities but cannot handle bulk work.
Visit Pentadesk to learn more about the right CAD design software one must use.
