"Limitations" of SolidWorks Student Edition 2006-2007???

I'm interested in evaluating SolidWorks as a faculty member. On the SW
site it says: "Although functionally identical to the SolidWorks
software used by professionals in the workplace, the student edition
contains features that make it unsuitable for commercial use."

Can anyone describe what these "features" are? I've read about the
watermark, but is there anything else? Will it be able to open files
created with other versions of SW, or vice versa? If I decide to
upgrade at some point to a "full" version, will all of my files still
have the watermark?

Thanks.

 

Any of those files created in the student version WILL NOT be able to be
opened in the commercial version and I don't believe you will be able to
open commercial version files in the student version. Functionallity
wise they would both be the same

 

The student version is usually one release behind, possibly a half year
behind.

 

So if I have a colleague who has basic parts and assembly files made in
an earlier version of 2005, I may not be able to open them in the
Student Edition? What about when the student edition "expires" after
two years? Are all of the files going to be useless?

I can see why they do it. SW expects you'd come to the student edition
with no expertise and by the end of 2 years be ready to make the jump
to a professional version. Good for a "typical" commercial scenario, I
suppose, but kind of sucks for the casual user.

-Dave

 

As far as I know, the student software expires after 2 years but the
files are still readable. Current version should be based on 2006, so
2005 files should be ok.

There is watermarking all over the files so using them for production a
bit iffy...

I agree, a bit of a pain for the casual user. I now use this
professionally as a freelancer and shelling out £lots for a full,legal
license is a bit eye-watering (however as I started out with 98+ in a
previous life, this wasn't a leap of faith)

I think SW should do something similar to PTC's Pro/E for Personal use.
Costs a bit but not too much for the hobbyist.

 

Limitations" of SolidWorks Student Edition 2006-2007
That is actually release 2006 of SolidWorks - not 2007.

Students can download current release software from this site for free.
http://engineersrule.org

;~)