Mechanical Engineering Software

The new GeoHECRAS has a few bugs here and there. However, when I spoke to technical support they were able to solve the issue and release an update for the software the very next week. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Time spent on a project. GeoHECRAS has helped me cut down the time I would spend on a project. GeoHECRAS automates most of the inputs HEC-RAS usually makes me input manually Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

However, NX CAD has its drawbacks - the program is not quite friendly for new employees, which means that the process of their training may take a lot of time. This can further drop the potential for coming up with strategies for improvisation that help the team to speed up on projects. Additionally, the resource requirement stands high and when used in a system, conflicts with available hardware and therefore there are cases of hanging a bit often. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Due to its features, NX CAD allows addressing the task of effective cooperation within large design processes, enabling accurate modeling and making adjustments in processes and patterns. This has to the benefit of our work by expanding our capacity to execute bigger projects and to guarantee that our designs are realizable as well as precise. It also reduce mistakes during the designing phase, thus eliminating the possible wastage of a lot of time and resources. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

While SketchUp excels in many areas, there are a few drawbacks, especially when it comes to 3D printing. The software isn’t specifically designed for creating models intended for 3D printing, which can lead to issues like non-manifold geometry, overlapping faces, or gaps in the model. These issues often require additional time for troubleshooting and fixing before a model is ready for printing.

Additionally, the precision tools in SketchUp, while sufficient for many design tasks, can sometimes feel limiting when exact measurements and tolerances are critical for 3D printing. This can result in models that don’t print as intended without further refinement in more specialized 3D printing software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

SketchUp solves several key problems in the design process, particularly in visualization and communication. One of the biggest challenges in architecture and design is translating complex ideas into clear, visual representations that clients and collaborators can easily understand. SketchUp’s intuitive interface and powerful modeling tools allow me to quickly create detailed 3D models, making it easier to convey design concepts and explore different options in real time. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Only a "cosmetic" dislike, icons not just as crisp as they could be. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The main reason for moving to ZWCAD was on cost, but have to say I wish we had found this earlier. So number 1 is that there has been a big cost saving with no detriment to functionality.

We are very profficient in CAD so the switch to ZWCAD was not for a specific feature but have found that ZWCAD is very stable and (fingers crossed) have not a single crash since using ZW. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

There are a few small bugs with the software that are not deal-breakers (I still really like the software and will continue to use it), but the issue is that if someone who doens't know hydroogy well is using the program, they may think the model is running fine when in reality it isn't. For example, I have noticed with Curve Numbers that the program defualts to 25% impervious area. If you have already accounted for IA in your CN you need to make this 0%. Then when you export to HEC-HMS the 25% is back in the model again. If you aren't aware of this or aren't paying close attention, this would be easy to overlook. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Watershed delineation and assigning hydrologic parameters for different flow events. PMP/PMF analysis. I can get models up and running in record time with the awesome built in functions that GeoHMS provides. It's a very functional and powerful software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Still no possibility to place small labels, logos or simple textures on partial surfaces within an assembly (such as stickers in Solidworks). If you want to see something like this, you either have to use the Render Studio or imprint the labeling correctly into the geometry... Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Prompt development of prototypes

Safe handling of subsequent modifications and versions

Creating info drawings for our webshop customers Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

AutoCAD's files structure doesnt feature categorizing a design file into parts, componets and bodies, its sees all as one, making it less suitable for 3D designs practices

AutoCAD design is mostly manipulated geometrically instead of parametrically, certain operations and task would be difficult and time consuming to carry out manually and repetitively. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

In the latest years, AutoCAD incoperated advance levels of automation,file manipulation and data management,this has made the use of the software for managing large projects and performing repetitive task more easy. I can easily add fresh/waste water supply layouts to building plans, without fear of inconsitency ,missing refrences, file acess & control etc. With AutoCAD 3D (solid,surface and mesh), i can easily generate freehand 3D concepts which i would develop later on a sister software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I really miss the old designs.

Siemens has chosen to make it more similiar to NX anad other siemens products.

Some user interfaces are now are harder to use then before, I guess it will need to get use to.

Other then that need to get it running more fast on large assemblies. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

We are acheiving faster market times.

We have greatly reduced times for going into manufacturing, faster design itterations and increased overall productivity.

Total of 4 workstations we have in our factory and we can streamline design reviews and communicate better.

Very strong sheetmetal tools help us desgin customized solutions for our customers. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Nothing springs to mind as I write this review and in my world if something isn't right or likable then ask questions and usually there will be a work around so something which may seem to be a negative should really be treated as a learning experience and look for ways through the issue. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

CMS Intellicad is giving me a platform on which to create 3d models and 2D working drawings for my designs of large scale model railway stock. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Autosave option is not working properly and most of projects lost. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

A vast community and extensive resources, including tutorials and forums, are available for users to learn and troubleshoot issues. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

There is a problem with the Trim command. You can't trtim doing crossings, only by individually clicking the line to be trimmed.Irritating, but not a deal killer. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

As a sole proprietor primarily using SketchUp to create 3D models, I use DraftSight to convert CAD files received from clients to a format compatible with the version of SketchUp I'm running (Version 7 from 2007--the last free version to import AutoCAD and DXF files). As chief cook and bottle washer, I also do regular CAD drafting with DraftSight. It keeps me compatible with the modern bloatware versions of AutoCAD while remaining relatively fast-loading, accurate, and easy to use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Require some more import funcionality then it will be more useful to us Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

We have a large team over here and with ARES we have good collaborative features like Commenting on the drawing, picture note and Version history. Which really helped us to cut down our overall project completion time.

With ARES we have productivity tools like smart dimension, powertrim etc. also which we are getting benefits in our projects. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It is possible that it lacks some basic tools, such as the option to create cones, which is essential for designing models that will be molded later. In the field of textures, I would like to see everything in a more realistic image, although it already looks spectacular right now. Exporting the V's for use in other rendering software is somewhat complicated. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

We are creating plastic housings for electronic components and we need to make many iterations. For us, it's very important that designing is easy since we spend many hours on it. The interaction with the iPad is very important as it is our essential work tool. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It's parametric block design compared to AutoCAD's dynamic blocks. I HATE how the visibility states can be outside of the block so that when you explode a block that has visibilities will then be put into the dwg outside of the block. This causes crazy lag if you need to explode multiple blocks. This requires you to use the DEPARAMETRIZE command before you explode, but this also removes the imported fields inside the blocks. Not ideal. I also do not like how when you copy and paste an entity inside of a block that is tied to a visibility, it copies and pastes that visibility again. (Because you can have more than one visibility inside of a block... cool idea, but now I see why AutoCAD doesn't allow it) Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The price of AutoCAD is crazy high, so we went to BricsCAD which as a daily user (excluding parametric block creation), is the same. So, it saves us buckets of cash year after year. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

• The software has a long startup time that did not seem to depend on system capabilities, as it was long on my home PC and laptop.

• Sometimes it was easy to get lost in the tools as a beginner. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Altium enabled me to design a PCB for driving a microprocessor, sensors, and motors on a high-powered rocket as a reseach project for my university rocket team. This enabled the team to collaborate collectively on a complex electronics system, which ended up working as intended on the first try thanks to the altium software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

You need to master how planes work, if you intend to asemble your parts and components easily, simulating real world relationship between the parts via the asssembly enviroment.

You need to fully understand assembly modeling especially if you are working on a large project with over a thousand part. etc

You need to understand the file structuring and basic file handling within inventor, else you would run into constant erros trying to reuse or locate design files. Sometimes the errors can cost you the clients trust if not managed properly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The ilogic feature in inventor basically hands me the power to automate my design, create variations and initaite design configurationns in a controlled manner. This leads to my ability to meet clients need in the shortest possible time.

Adopting Inventor for my product design workflow makes the entire experince smooth. I am giving the ability to implement and insert fastners, mechanical weldments, belt and chain drives, mechanical frames an others, through calculated, and analysis-based processes,thus making informed design decisions.

Basically, an ADMS console is required to set up a server, then an Autodesk vault client is set up for authoring of design data into the sever, via dedicated file structures. All i did was to link Inventor to my Autodesk vault, then all my designs from inventor was easily checked in and out of the vault, ensuring proper design documentation , control, and secuirty, to mention a few. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I find that some key features are locked behind the paid plan, and the rendering speed could be faster Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Efficient Visualization: Coohom helps quickly turn design concepts into realistic 3D visuals, making it easier to communicate ideas to clients or colleagues.

Time-Saving Design Tools: By offering templates, an extensive library, and drag-and-drop tools, Coohom streamlines the design process, saving you time on manual tasks.

Accessible Design for Non-Experts: Coohom’s intuitive interface makes it easy for beginners or non-designers to create professional designs.

Cost Reduction in Prototyping: The realistic visualizations reduce the need for physical prototypes, which can lower costs in the design stage.

Enhanced Client Satisfaction: Clear visual representations of designs can increase client confidence and satisfaction, improving overall project success. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

None that i can recall. Easy training and interface is very friendly with different responsive features allowing easy navigation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Professional roads and drainage drawing and design creation and to analys stormwater and easy management of multiple projects document is perfect. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One thing I would say that can be improved is adding more components to the "Manufacturer Part Search." Another thing, which may be a little niche for my scenario, is making the software somewhat easier to navigate without a mouse. I work a lot from my laptop and do not always have a mouse with me. Right clicking and dragging on a mouse pad is incredibly obnoxious (mostly the laptop designers fault not altium). My only other suggestion comes when defining board size. Recently I needed a board that was exactly 50mm x 50mm. It can be really hard to draw lines that are exactly a certain size. My solution was to set the grid size to 1mm and just figure it out. It could be cool to have a display of how long your line drawings are or the dimensions of the figure you have drawn. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It is helping use solve being able to design and manufacture PCB's quicker. It has many features and rules to use that help us make PCB's exactly what we want. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Two aspects of Autodesk Fusion 360 that I find less favorable are its dependency on an internet connection and its CAD file compatibility. While being a cloud-based software generally offers significant advantages, features like real-time collaboration and automatic saving can be challenging in areas with limited connectivity. Additionally, despite supporting many file formats, the conversion of files during export is often limited, resulting in the loss of details or geometries when importing to other softwares. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The design workflow for preparing objects for 3D printing in Fusion 360 offers numerous benefits. The ability to directly export models to 3D printing software like Ultimaker Cura or Formlabs reduces the need for multiple tools, creating a seamless workflow. The mesh editing and repair tools for STL and OBJ files are especially useful when working with scanned objects or imported medical image files, as they help identify and fix common issues like holes, non-manifold edges, and intersecting faces.

As a cloud-based software, Fusion 360 allows me to access CAD files from anywhere and on any device, improving collaboration with clients and stakeholders who might not have the software installed on their devices.

The cloud-based computation for simulation tools, such as finite element analysis and static or thermal stress tests, frees up my local computing resources. As an individual designer, it gives me access to advanced analyses that would otherwise require significant computational power.

Finally, in Mechanical Computer-Aided Design, the ability to use both parametric and direct modeling is a great feature. It allows me to easily make changes and adapt designs before fully constraining a mechanical model. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.