Launching my professional activity in February, I will have to invest in a 3D design software. I specify that I studied on Solidworks, and am used to "tinkering" on Solidworks. I was planning to work with Solidworks, but when I learned about the prices, for the use I will have of it I wonder if it is really worth it. (I don't use the 3D simulation interface, production line management... etc)
So I'm coming to you to find out which software to get, because I know that there are cheaper ones.
Here is my use:
- 3D Design/Modeling
- Drawing
I would also need the equivalent of a task scheduler, or order management of several files, in relation to this software. This is also mandatory because I will have several thousand JPEG images to produce in relation to my different designs.
I don't do aeronitics, robotics or anything else, I'm a stonemason, and use this 3D software to design my parts, generate images to provide them to customers, and print my scale 1 jigs.
Do you have an idea of the software that could suit me? Knowing that I still want it to be professional, and easy to use.
What do you think of "Top Solid" and "SolidEdge"? They cost an average of €1500 per year.
Inventor according to some acquaintances told me that it looked like Solidworks and was much cheaper than Solidworks.
Yes I am entitled to some small help, I agree on the principle, but in the other direction, paying for a software to use only 1/4 of these functions... I don't think it's great either.
So if there is ever a similar software, and cheaper, I'm a taker, and I'd prefer to put this 6000 euros for something else ^^.
After that, if I don't find anything better, I won't have much of a choice, I'll stay at Solidworks^^
Be careful with the autodesk suite, they go on rental so almost 3000 € per year without owning the software (premium pack with autocad inventor rendering etc )
SW in your case, the base rate is indeed around 6k€ (minus the discount Clementine is talking about, around 1k€ according to another discussion on this forum).
Since it's not to communicate with your customers, you can possibly skip the 1500€ annual maintenance, which allows, among other things, to benefit from the new versions.
The Autodesk rental solution can be interesting by allowing you to benefit from a normal price for your basic solution and by renting the rendering modules just when you need them. It also avoids having to take out a large amount of money all at once. But, indeed, when you stop paying you no longer have any tools. This is to be taken into consideration, possibly by generating a stp/iges model of each part to possibly be able to change software.
I work for the company ZWFRANCE and we sell the ZW3D software, which is a software quite comparable to Solidworks (many of our customers worked on Solidworks and really appreciate our software because it is similar and much cheaper: 1250€ HT for the first price, and it is a perpetual license... no rental ;) ) You can call us on 02 40 09 50 00 if you have any questions (we do free demos), and you can also test the software for free for 30 days: https://www.zwfrance.fr/zw3d/ => click on "download"
Given your experience with SolidWorks and you know it's a good fit, the easiest way would be to go with it. After all, it's true that for a craftsman it's not cheap even with the discount possible via the "Jeune pousse" program offered by Clémentine.
You say that you are a sculptor (so very special and artistic shapes) then I tell you that all the Solidworks, inventor, PTC and other software are not very suitable.
Unless you're a super ace of the surface (just thinking about it I have hair growing in the cranial cavity)
Chose a software like Zbrush which was not very expensive or Blender which was free or Rhino 3D.
Obviously this requires a certain investment in training but you will brilliantly save your time in the realization of your models.
I use MODO 901 which does great things but requires quite heavy training. I use it for sculptures and ceramic vases and rigging from solidworks models.