Rhino 3.0 vs AutoCAD

[JRoque]

Hello,

I'm about to purchase RhinoCAM which is Rhino v3.0 and VisualMill 5.0 in one. But, have the option of just buying VM and not Rhino. I am mostly interested in mechanical CAD and not so much in modeling, etc.

How does Rhino compare to AutoCAD? Is it worth the extra $300 to get? Any limitations in Rhino as a CAD package for 2D and 3D mechanical parts?

Thanks,
JR

[ger21]

AutoCAD is around $3500, or are you talking about LT?

[JRoque]

Hey Ger, I already own AutoCAD so I'm looking for suggestions on whether Rhino is worth the reduced price. I've heard good things about Rhino but wonder if it'll make it any easier to draft 2D and 3D parts to be cut with VisualMill.

Thanks,
JR

[buscht]

JR, Since you already have AutoCAD, stick with it for 2D work. Although Rhino does a reasonable job. It's real strength is 3D work and its far better than AutoCAD. I use AutoCAD everyday at work.
The nice thing about Rhino is that you can use your AutoCAD knowledge to help learn Rhino faster.
You can download a free, fully functional demo to help you make your decision.
T

[ger21]

Like Trent says, Use AutoCAD for 2D stuff. I've exported some 2D rhino stuff as .dxf , and imo ACAD's .dxfs are more predictable and cleaner.
Rhino's strengths are it's NURBS surfaces.

And I think RhinoCAM is VisualMillBasic, Not the full V5?

[JRoque]

Thanks for the comments. I did download the Rhino demo but saw a bunch of new menus, etc and chickened out. Since I have just until Monday to make this decision, I'd figure I ask the experts here.

The offer is for Rhino v3.0 full edition and VisualMill Basic v5.0 in a Rhino plug-in form for $999. Not a bad deal. If I don't want Rhino, then it's $699 for VM. And here's another good thing the sales folks at MecSoft tell me: I can use VM Basic standalone with the same license as the RhinoCAM so I don't *have* to buy Rhino. Cool eh?

I'm wondering if I can extrude, fillet, chamfer, etc like I can in ACAD... fear of the unknown. Well, I have a weekend to find out so better get busy.

Thanks for all your help. Any more tips/hints are welcome.

JR

[Dan B]

I'm wondering if I can extrude, fillet, chamfer, etc like I can in ACAD

Rhino will do all the 2D construction that Autocad can do, but Autocad excels at dimensioning and producing a professional drawing. You can dimension in Rhino, but it is limited. For example, Rhino does not have different linetypes and lineweights (it is planned for version 4). As far as 3D work goes, Rhino is worth every penny, especially if you are getting it for $300. If you don't plan on 3D work, stick with ACAD, as the others have already said.

As far as all the icons, don't let that scare you. You can make Rhino look however you want, even a gradient background! The nice thing about it is that you can set up the aliases to match your ACAD, so the transition between the two is painless.

For what it's worth, we use Mechanical Desktop (Autocad on parametric steroids) and Rhino every day. It is a great combo.

Dan

[JRoque]

Guys, thanks much for your feedback. I just received the Rhino + VisualMill Basic package and you were right: Rhino beats AutoCAD hands down in the 3D category. I've been running the tutorial and movies and can't believe the stuff you can do in Rhino and how easy it is.

Regards,
JR

[Dan B]

Hi JR,

Don't forget to join us on the Rhino NG. Any questions you have will be answered within minutes by a global community which is online 24/7. You can find it here:

http://www.rhino3d.com/support.htm

or if you prefer to use a newsreader:

news.rhino3d.com

Hope to see you there.

Dan