O/T--which is better for freeform surfacing

[cadman268]

I am deciding whether to go with Unigraphics or Ideas for my surface modeller.

I do mostly automotive, metal stampings and plastic injection parts.

Designing Dies and Molds.

 

Anyone have any insight in to which is better for what I have described??

 

TIA

 

Cadman

[cadcam]

Sense they are both under the same kernel, there are allot of simulators in the software’s.

 

Both of the software’s will work for what you stated is as development software Ideas has what you need.

 

You can not go wrong with either.

 

JM2C

[cadman268]

Thanks for the reply Cadcam, I am leaning towards Ideas!!

The first part I have in mind for this is a new invention that someone wants me to start from scratch, fairly complex surfaces, need to design the concept, present it, change it, then design the mold and produce the part.

I have been using Pro e up to date and tried to put something together with pro-e(with the advanced surface module) and it wasn't friendly enough to let me do what I wanted.

I trained on UG back at V10, thats why I was wondering how the 2 compared, I know EDS owns both now.

Thanks again

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Note that the IDEAS will be going away. It is slated to be integrated into UG's stuff from what I've heard on the street.

 

One can't fail to mention Alias when speaking of Surface Modelers. CHeck that out as well.

 

JM2C

[Davez]

We have Ideas here, but they are going away for sure, I think they said it will take a year or so, but Ideas will be gone. It would seem to be a waste of training to learn Ideas when It will be replaced by UG. Just my .002

[Greg Williams]

Hi,

 

Why bother with Ideas when it has already started it,s intergration with UG, My 5 cents worth says just go straight to UG.

[gstephens]

I would say it depends how "freeform" you need it. Alias seems to be the choice for "really crazy, high level, insane amount of control points," surfacing. Just be aware of that if you're going to be cutting them with Mastercam. UG will get you better models to cut, but I don't think it's as "free" as Alias.

 

JM$.02

[cadman268]

Well, because a lot of the design will be used to create the mold after, the better one would be one with a lot of core and cavity features as well. Also another important factor for me would be the ability to flatten a complex surface model to get an accurate blank size for die work. As for the surfacing, I need to be able to design shapes like car quarter panels and hoods and free form shapes like that, nothing like human faces or things of that nature.

I will definately be using mastercam to do the cnc machining.

Thanks for your input so far, I think I will leave Ideas behind and seriously look at UG.

Will have a look at Alias as well.

 

[ 11-07-2002, 08:33 PM: Message edited by: cadman268 ]

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

When you said Molding, that pretty much seals it. UG is probably your best bet. They have an add-on called Mold Wizard that has a number of mold creation features that speed up the Mold Design Process.

 

HTH