Users who use both SW and Wildfire

First off, my intent here is to gather opinions of past SW to Wildfire
converts. I'm not saying one software is better than the other. I'd just
like to hear comments on peoples experiences.

I've been a SolidWorks user for about 6 years and REALLY know the software
well. I have an opportunity to work for a company that is using Pro-E
Wildfire. I'm really interested in the job but one of the things holding me
back is not knowing Wildfire. I have a demo of Wildfire 2 and have been
going through tutorials for about a week. I have to say that compared to SW
Wildfire just seems so non user friendly. I thought this was just a factor
of being new to the software but the more I use it the more I find it's not
a comfortable interface (for me anyway). I hate to say I wouldn't take the
position based on my demo experience with Wildfire but I'm also don't want
to go to work everyday with a love-hate relationship with the software
(which is what I'm developing, more hate than love) So I would like to hear
comments from others who have made the switch. How long did it take to get
comfortable with the software? Are you sorry you made the switch? Are you
glad you made the switch? Anything you can tell me about your experience
would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.


I have posted this on the Pro-E board. Anyone here using both that would
like to throw in their thoughts?

 

I haven't used Wildfire yet, but we've been growing more and more
disenchanted with SW due to problems developing organic shapes, so I may be
trying it out in the near future. It would be really helpful for us if you
could post a summary here of the responses you get from the Pro-E board. Do
you have any comments on how surfacing, trimming, knitting, lofting,
sweeping, filleting, shelling, thickening compare between SW and WF?

Jerry Steiger
Tripod Data Systems
"take the garbage out, dear"

 

I think that the problem here is a little miss leading, of course
solid works is more userfriendly because there is simple less there to
use. what i mean is solid works is not nearly as powerfull a tool as
ProE, Personally I learny how to use ProE 2001, and solidworks when I
was in college, I became a excellent solid worker, now here at my job
I am using ProE and the things it is capable of far over pass
solidworks. If i was you I would love to learn a new more advanced
software package and take the job
PS when you want to do something i proE don;t think about how easy it
was to do in solid works do it in proE, once you do that awhile then
you will be doin things in proE that solid works simply can't (cough
cough variable sweeps, advanced rounds, cough cough

 

I think that the problem here is a little miss leading, of course
solid works is more userfriendly because there is simple less there to
use. what i mean is solid works is not nearly as powerfull a tool as
ProE, Personally I learny how to use ProE 2001, and solidworks when I
was in college, I became a excellent solid worker, now here at my job
I am using ProE and the things it is capable of far over pass
solidworks. If i was you I would love to learn a new more advanced
software package and take the job
PS when you want to do something i proE don;t think about how easy it
was to do in solid works do it in proE, once you do that awhile then
you will be doin things in proE that solid works simply can't (cough
cough variable sweeps, advanced rounds, cough cough

 

I think that the problem here is a little miss leading, of course
solid works is more userfriendly because there is simple less there to
use. what i mean is solid works is not nearly as powerfull a tool as
ProE, Personally I learny how to use ProE 2001, and solidworks when I
was in college, I became a excellent solid worker, now here at my job
I am using ProE and the things it is capable of far over pass
solidworks. If i was you I would love to learn a new more advanced
software package and take the job
PS when you want to do something i proE don;t think about how easy it
was to do in solid works do it in proE, once you do that awhile then
you will be doin things in proE that solid works simply can't (cough
cough variable sweeps, advanced rounds, cough cough

 

I can say that Pro/E is more powerful, but to say that it's harder to use
because it has more power, is ridiculous. We have a 40/50 split (Pro/E to
SolidWorks) here. About 10% is on other platforms. Certainly Pro/E will
perform better on larger assemblies, but getting from point A to point B is
far more effort. Unigraphics NX is - easily - as powerful as Pro/E, but is
many times easier to use.

One thing to understand about Pro/E users, they will often brag about how
great the program is. Unfortunately, few have ever spent much time in any
other environment. Have you ever noticed how many people tell you how great
they were at using a program in college, who have nothing to compare
themselves with.

We are moving to Wildfire as our standard system soon. Love it or hate it,
it's still good to know as many platforms as possible. Especially if
training is provided by the employer. You will be more versatile and more
valuable while becoming less expendable.

Todd

 

Snip

Todd,

As I recall, you're located in the Portland area. Is that right? Would you
be willing to spend some time talking with us about your experiences with
NX, Pro/E and SW? We are looking to see if we should switch from SW due to
problems with the transition from pretty ID surfaces to real plastic parts.

Jerry Steiger
Tripod Data Systems
"take the garbage out, dear"

 

Rob,

Take the job just to get your experience in Pro-E. Over time you will
learn to like Pro-E as they continue to try and make their software to
look and use like SolidWorks. The plain fact that you would be able
to put both SolidWorks and Pro-E experience on your resume has to be
invaluable. I know I would like to be able to have that on my resume.

Ken

 

Rob,
I studied ID in college. Majored in furniture design, but did
everthing from trans to exhibit. The amount of programs that I have
under my belt hurt me jus to think about it. It the lon grun it really
does come down to how well you know the software in parallel to how
you think. I think that is something that is overlooked alot. (or
maybe not mentioned so much) When you pick up any tool, there are
times when it just "fits" in your hand. Think about back in the hay
days when tooth brushes were all flat square and dull. Now you get all
those free flowing, color driven (too many to choose from) handles. (I
personally could do with out all the color, but the handle still feels
al WHOLE lot better)

Point being that in this day in age, CAD packages are becoming like
religions to some. I think we all would like to have one package that
can "do it all" at a very inexpensive price. Factor time to learn,
money for software/hardware, and compatiblity (which is a bigger issue
that some take into account) and you have got quite the headache.

I am not trying to push you one way or the other. What you will find
about some early users of SW, when it comes to "swoopy" shapes is that
most feel like it can't be done in SW... when in all actuality it
really can. I have not tried the new version of Wildfire, but from
what I have seen demoed so far seems like it does have alot under the
hood.

Ifyou are going direct comparison though, you have to take into
account the price point that each cost. The core cost for each
program, and that once you want to get he same level of functionality
in Wildfire and you do in SW it cost2 to 3 times as much. Once again,
not a bad thing, just an information thing.

OK enough rambling. I could add more, but then ppl would flame me for
the extra long crispy post.

 

P.S.

Alias Studio tools and Rhino are still defacto ID tools IMO.