Hi all!
In a professional context, I am looking to be able to control a 3D assembly (a vehicle) modeled with Solidworks 2018 in order to fulfill certain constraints:
-possibility to change point of view (pre-established points of view would be perfect)
- hide certain components (transparent or almost) without selecting on the drawing itself (assembly tree or filter by name for example)
-above all, I need to be able to modify certain parameters (dimensions in particular, through the existence of certain parts or not). I also need the model to be updated quickly (equations configured on solidworks). Elements that may not appear are configured in the equations by 'dim*0' if they don't exist or 'dim*1' if they exist, changing all dimensions of the model accordingly. I need to configure all these parameters as simply as possible, so by a table if possible...
- finally, the model must not be able to be modified directly (deletion of part or change the dimensions by hand...). Indeed, the model will be handled by people who do not master 3d at all, the goal is just to show customers according to the selected options what their vehicle will look like.
So I am looking for a software that would allow me to meet all these constraints or a maximum of them, if possible free or almost free (a few dozen euros per month maximum). Of course, I am ready to give in on some points because it is impossible to find the perfect software, but I am looking for a compromise as close as possible.
For now, I've done a lot of research, here are my dead ends: (some software is far from my goal but I'm considering all the solutions...)
-edrawings 2019: I can't export the configurations
-Controlling eDrawings from a table (Excel, PowerPoint or Word), I can open an assembly but I haven't found a way to link the model to the table. However, I have added to my solidworks the cad tools, including the PilotAssembly which allows me to control my model from excel (exactly as I want it actually, but solidworks is paid and is above all 'too dangerous' to entrust to a novice who could make a wrong manipulation...). I haven't found how to keep this control over another software... :/
-Solidworks Composer Player 2019: after having problems exporting to .smg, I can now open without any problem, however I can't display the assembly tree, and in the preferences the tab in which 'tree' should be selected is not available... Maybe a version problem but I haven't found anything to unlock me.
-3d Builder: I don't see how to make it configurable...
-Unity / Visual Studio: I have a good foundation in Visual Studio but none in Unity (it's not a problem in itself), and I haven't been able to find out if this software can meet my constraints or almost (this configuration forces me to create the model on Unity, because Unity doesn't open any extension that can be exported from Solidworks it seems to me...
-Rhino 6/ Grasshopper: I have no knowledge of these 2 softwares, and as for Unity, I don't know if they can meet my objectives...
I was also recommended Visio from the Office license, if you can tell me if you think it can be suitable for my project (paid) and Winforms.
That's it, so I can't find any solution to my problem for the moment. I am really open to all solutions, opinions, advice, suggestions, compromises! Both on the software presented and on the other ... Anything to help me please :/
NB: I'm on Windows 10, I have an x64 processor, the Office 32-bit pack, I have on my computer Visual Studio 2017, Solidworks Student 2018, Solidworks Composer Player 2019, Unity, Visual Studio tools for Unity, Rhino 6 with Grasshopper extension, edrawings 64 (2012, 2018, 2019), 32bits edrawings (2014).
I can design the vehicle in other formats downloaded free trial versions for other visualization software, or any free software you suggest. I can send pictures of my problems if needed, but I couldn't send everything...
PS: I'm new to CAD.
Have a good day everyone:)