Comparative Study of Different CAD Software

Written by: Suvo • Edited by: Lamar Stonecypher
Updated Sep 15, 2010

Design processes have become much faster after arrival of CAD software and as the design time has reduced, the new product introduction (NPI) time has also reduced drastically. This article will discuss about different features of AutoCAD, Pro-Engineer, Solid Edge, Catia and Microstation

2D CAD software

These types of softwares have been first developed in way back 1970’s. Major automobile and aerospace organizations used to develop their own internal design software. These softwares are mainly developed for the repetitive drafting problems.

Some most popular 2D cad softwares of recent times are:

1. Autocad: AutoDesk is developed this software. This is one of the first CAD software which popularize the use of CAD softwares because it does not require strong graphic configurations. In the initial versions it was totally command based but at the later versions it has developed as one of the most user friendly 2D software. Autocad can be customized using Auto lisp, Visual lisp, VB,.Net and C++. It supports .DWG and .DXF file formats. 3D modeling is also possible using AutoCAD but not so popular.

2. Microstation: Bentley systems developed this software. This software is famous for use in civil, architectural and plant layout related drawings, though it is having strong rendering features. The later versions are capable of 3D modeling as well. It can be customized using microstation development language (MDL), VBA, C and C++. It supports .DGN as well as .DWG and .DXF file formats.

3D CAD software

In 1980’s these types of softwares first developed by IBM-Dessults partnership. The developments of 3D softwares have helped product design real fast and thus give birth of product lifecycle management (PLM) and product data management (PDM).

Other than 3D visualization these 3D CAD softwares are having lots of advanced features. Some of those are: parent child relation ship, Parametric, Top down modeling approach and geometry can directly be exported to FEA softwares.

Some popular 3D cad softwares are:

1. Catia (Computer Aided Three Dimensional Interactive Application): This is icon based high end cad software, developed and marketed by desault-IBM. Though it is having all the modules like part, assembly, surface etc. but it is known for its very advanced surface modeling capabilities. Cost wise it is higher then pro/e, solid edge etc.Apart from CAD it is having modules in CAM (computer aided manufacturing) and CAE (computer aided engineering).The latest version of it can be customized using VB, C++ and CAA.

2. Pro-Engineer (pro/e): It is developed by PTC. This is menu based software. It is having many modules which include solid modeling, surface Modeling, sheet metal, Pro mechanica (FEA), machining, cabling etc. Pro/e is known for its strong parametric and logical relations. Pro/e is good in sheet metal also. It is mainly used by medium scale industries.

3. Solid Edge: It is developed by UGS. This is also icon based software.

Though it is very user friendly, it is having some drawbacks like: user cannot see how the edit will interact with its subsequent features, since while editing it roll backs .Solid edge can be customized using VB.

Related Readings

AutoCAD Customization using Autolisp:In order to avoid making similar drawings and in order increase the quality and productivity of drawings, customization of AutoCAD is very important. Autocad supports several tools for customization and in this topic i will discuss the basics of autolisp programming.

nick Aug 17, 2011 11:18 PM

RE: Comparative Study of Different CAD Software

Fredrik is right.
actually, CATIA and NX is the biggest players in CAD. It's actually not just CAD, it's called PLM, Pro-e is trying to catch up with these two from what I hear.
PLM is a whole different game in terms of CAD, it's not just modelling, it's more like managing different assets of the whole product like manufacturability, FEA testing, mechatronics, on and on and on..
In the mid range is Solidworks, Inventor, Solid Edge. Solidworks is the best overall in mid range because it has the best in surfacing. Inventor is really nice, it has a lot of automated macros but it falls short in surfacing, and Solid Edge is breaking apart from Inventor and SW because of its innovative synchronous technology, which is already incorporated into NX and is slowly gaining respect from every other CAD vendor as the future of CAD. And I think other lower-end CAD is everything you can really name after.
I've tried all of them and I can honestly say that NX is better than CATIA in user-friendly, it's also just as in-depth as CATIA, in fact most GM use NX. But they're very similar to each other. but these PLM software is really hard to get trained on every module because there is so much stuff going on unlike Solidworks which is mostly solid/surface modeler with some basic support from other addons.
The fastest to use is Solid Edge because it was very well-focused on giving only the tools you need to create Solid with some support in surfacing and the coolest one to use is Inventor because they have a lot of automated stuff and nice graphics.
But the big international mechanical/structural company I happen to work for is still working in 2D!!! So don't get all jumpy about 3d, 2d is still in the game and it will be long before DWGs and DGN's will be replaced by these big players. Though they have the capability, it's still far cheaper to use 2Ds to create drawings... So here is my 2 cents on this

bhaskar Apr 15, 2011 12:42 AM

Req. difference beetween 3d pro-e & 2d autacad software

Shrikant Mahitkar Jan 18, 2011 2:02 AM

about software

hii,The data given is very good,but as far as mechanical engineer is concern which (catia or pro-e )software good for future scope in automobile industry pls reply.

Sudarshan Chetty ZA Oct 1, 2010 5:01 AM

The Comparison

By far, I think Inventor is the most reliable and most affordable of the packages. The customer base is huge and the package comes standard with AutoCAD Mechanical. That in itself is excellent for small to medium enterprises. Pro/E is great visually and has the best simulation package money can buy but falls flat on its face when it comes to decent 2D drafting. Solid Edge is a very powerful and intuitive program and is excellent for Pipe-Routing.

Patrick Sep 7, 2010 8:40 AM

Pro-e...

In fact there are 3 high programs. It's quite easy to distinquish, because they are all native unix programs :
Catia (Dassault), Unigraphics AND Pro-e.

It's just later on, that NT based versions of these programs were delivered (and prices lowered considerably).
Price for Pro-e 18 (on NT 4.0, 10 years ago) was 25.000 €, now you get a much better program for +/- 6000€...

Solid Works, Solid Edge or inventor play in a much "lower" range, but also small businesses buy the high end programs because the prices for the standard versions have become affordable.

Fredrik Aug 23, 2010 11:41 AM

Not the same programs

I think the article is good but the programs is not aimed for the same type of companies. Today there is 3 different markets: High end, mid range and small business. CATIA is typical high end aimed for automative industries and like. Pro/E is in upper mid range and Solid edge is for small business or lower mid range.

Other programs to compare with is NX by Siemens (UGS) which is also high end. Solid works by Dassault and Inventor from Autodesk. These are mid range to small business software.

SURESH UPPARA Jan 12, 2010 1:14 AM

Catia

Hi,
can i get more details abt CATIA and companies list tht prefer CATIA

kundapura santosh Oct 30, 2009 5:02 AM

regarding autocad

Hi the information given is fantastic. But i wanted to know about the packages being offerred by autocad. Please reply.

Comparative Study of Different CAD Software

2D CAD software

3D CAD software

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