Comparison between Solidworks and Autodesk Mechanical Desktop

[kheri]

I am new to 3D cad and would like to know which of the two (Solidworks and Mechanical Desktop) is :
1. Easier to use
2. Has better Features
Thanks for any advice on this matter.

[Rekd]

Solidworks, IMNSHO, hands down. (Although I haven't used SW in several years, but I have used current MD, so my opinions are slightly skewed)

[RJSheets]

I wouldn't bother with MD, it is an obsolete piece of software. Autodesk is putting all of it's effort into Inventor (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet...112&id=4291253). Inventor is a solids package that has all but replaced MD in the autodesk line. I am a 5 year user of MD and I am starting to make the switch to Inventor. Although I hear a lot of good things about Solidworks, mainly "easy to learn". If I were new to 3D and want to learn on your own Solidworks would be my choice and don't bother with MD.

[kheri]

Thank you Rekd and RJSheets for your comments.

[scubanick]

i am a solidworks user
its a super nice software

[Kingz]

I have a long history of CAD Software. AutoSketch, AutoCAD8 to AutoCAD2002, Mechanical Desktop 2005, Inventor series 9-10, Solidworks 98 to Solidworks Betta 2006, Microstation 99 to 2002, off and on P-Engineering over the years, Gerber4, CadKey. ect.. and so many other I cant even begain to list, I have trained atleast 8ppl on Solidworks and about 15 on Autodesk programs, and use to be a Die hard Autodesk Person, upto about 3 years ago. Solidworks has changed the industry, they dont dictate how engineering should design but listen from the engineers have created a program that works and thinks like we do. Dont get me wrong inventer and mechanical desk top are key design programs and can do alot and some things Solidworks can not. But Solidworks have lot more to offer and ease of use and speed then they can.

I would go with Solidworks 2006, but buy the suscription service. you will have a lot lower lerning curve, you get more for the $$$$, you can send and recieve more files than I&MD (Inventer & Mechanical Desktop) with less conversion error, and dont forget whos big brother to SW (solidworks)..... Catia, thats mean they have more backing than anyone.


If you product have less than 2,500 part mechanical desktop (will be discontinue soon)
if you products have 400 part to 15,000 parts Solidworks
If you Products have 10,000 to 25,000 Pro-E
if your product have more than 20,000 or more Catia

if you are doing anything with Big planes, autos, or big boats, catia or pro-E

If you are buying a new computer I would sugest buying a Zeon EM64 chip set or a AMD 64 set, along with the new OS, XP 64 editon with atleast 2 to 3 gigs of rams if your assemblies will be between 250 to 1500 parts, from there add another 1 gig of ram for every 2,000 to 3,000 parts. Alos Dont skimp on Video card, need one with the cad sofware driver in it or you will run slow so mater what!!!

sry for the extra info. I hope this helps

[kheri]

Thank you scubanick and Kingz. Your comments will greatly help on my decision. Thanks to all you guys.