Solidworks vs Rhino

[sdantonio]

I just got word that my company will let me take a course (which often comes with an inexpensive crippled software package).

I own Rhino3D v3.0 and am also looking into solidworks. Gerry recomended Rhino, which I am very happy with sofar. But if solidworks would be an upgrade for my application then it is worth investigating.

My application:

Mainly I am a violin maker. I am looking to model and cut tops and backs on my CNC router. Think of the violin top and back like an eliptical bowl with an odd shaped edge (for the moment I'll just refer to it as an elipse). The modeling process I have used with Rhino is to

(1) trace the outline of the instrument (y=major axis, x=minor axis of the ellipse).

(2) create a spline curve along the major axis of the ellipse with the ends of the spline anchored to the ellipse and the center at a perscribed height above the ellipse (z=axis).

(3) crosswise curves and filled in by a script that calculates takes a point along the major axis and calculates (a) the width at that point (semi-latus rectum), (b) the height of the spline arch along the major axis at the same point (z=direction) then (c) creates the crosswise arch using the equation for a curtate cycloid curve.

The curve is then extruded to a 4mm thick concentric shell and both the outside and inside curves are carved. Then the hard part begins (voicing it by hand to make it sound like a good violin.

Given this application, is there any great advantage to spending the money (my companies, not mine) to migrate to solidworks.

[sdantonio]

These two additional pictures may help illustrate the process

[sdantonio]

These two additional pictures may help illustrate the process (forgot to hit the upload button)

[lakeside]

solidworks is a great software but expensive I'm problem going to get shell for this next idea but Bobcad version 19 will do this for you and can work with rhino it about $500 now that version 21 came out but if your company would pay for solidworks let them and learn all you can on there dime you could find others in your field that use solidworks but there cam is no better than rhino or bobcad and cost an arm and a lrg

[sdantonio]

Thanks Mike,

Are their any third party cams that will work with solidworks. I know for Rhino there is RhinoCAM at about $2K (last time I looked) and MadCAM and about 1/4 the price.

Steven

[Ed_R]

Steve, I've been playing with Rhino and MadCam lately and it's doign exactly what I want it to, which is almost the same thing you're doign with teh violins, only I'm only doing one side of a plank. I'd look into Rhino with MadCam plugin, it's all in the same interface.

[lakeside]

any thrid party cam will work with solid works when you save your file in solidworks you need to save either a dxf or iges not a .stlprnt(bobcad 21 opens this)

[turmite]

Hi Steven,

I only wish I had the chance to go take Rhino training and someone else pay for it. To add to what Ed has said, I too have been using Rhino and Madcam and am real pleased with the results. I have spoken with the author of Madcam, Joakim, on two different occasions, and I cannot express enough the support he offers for Madcam. In those conversations he also told me some things that are planned for Madcam. I won't go into those as I think that would be his place. If you are using Rhino now, the Madcam plugin will be very easy for you to learn.

Now for personal opinion: I have seen models from users of Solidworks and they are very impressive, but for organic modeling, which I think would include your violins, I would have to think that Rhino is better suited.

Now guys remember this is just my opinion so be gentle.

Mike

[ger21]

As Mike says, for your application, I'd go Rhino. Keep in mind that I've never used Solidworks though. But I've also never seen a guitar or violin modeled in Solidworks either.

[lakeside]

software can be a very funny thing we all have or own likes and dislike the biggest thing about software is get what you need not what the saleman says use demos from as many vendor as possible I went with bobcad becase it cost me $600 to start with version 19 bobcad has a very good drawing package and the cam side is as good as any I used in the past also rember to hold out for the best price there is a large mark-up on any software so a little crying can save a lot Bobcad started out with me at $1500 and got $600 in the end

[ger21]

Here was the question:

Originally Posted by sdantonio Given this application, is there any great advantage to spending the money (my companies, not mine) to migrate to solidworks.

And your answer is BobCAD???

[lakeside]

Originally Posted by sdantonio Given this application, is there any great advantage to spending the money (my companies, not mine) to migrate to solidworks.

and the answer is let them buy the solidworks as long as rhino will run an .iges file and if not let them buy another cam that will work as long as they know it up front because it your neck in the end not ours