| Alibre Design [message #13840] Sun, 20 June 2010 22:55 UTC |
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Hey everyone,
I was thinking of purchasing a CAD package and I came across Alibre Design. It is a Parametric, Mechanical Engineering Design package that seems very power and acts much like that of SolidWorks. (What I typically use)
Now, the reason I am switching is due to cost. I would like to own a fully legal, commercial license of a software so that I can do more consulting. Is there a better package out there than Alibre? Do you use Alibre and think the price was worth it? (its only $99, $599, $1200 for the 3 different levels) I was planning on starting with the Personal version ($99) and later upgrading to the Expert Version if i liked it enough ($1200)
https://www.alibre.com/
[Updated on: Sun, 20 June 2010 22:55 UTC]
Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam
Check out http://JakeDrews.Com and http://WondrousWidgets.Com for more designs by Jake!
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| Re: Alibre Design [message #13867 is a reply to message #13840 ] Mon, 21 June 2010 16:20 UTC |
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I use Alibre Design. I think this software is great. To be honest, I think functions are lacking in some areas compared to the other much more expensive parametric 3D CAD softwares (SolidWorks/SolidEdge/Inventor). However, most of these shortcomings have workarounds. I think the best advice is to download a trial version and try the software with a "real" project ...
I guess you won't find any parametric 3D software for less than the price of AD. In the "non-parametric but affordable and user friendly 3D CAD" family, there is also ViaCAD (www.punchcad.com)
[Updated on: Mon, 21 June 2010 16:22 UTC]
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| Re: Alibre Design [message #13870 is a reply to message #13840 ] Mon, 21 June 2010 16:48 UTC |
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Ill check out VIA Cad too. I remember trying a demo of it for the mac...
Have you tried TurboCAD? It seems to support quite a few more file types.
And yes, I am trying it with a real project next. I have a client with a project and I am going to attempt it on Alibre.
Thanks for the reply!
Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam
Check out http://JakeDrews.Com and http://WondrousWidgets.Com for more designs by Jake!
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| Re: Alibre Design [message #13901 is a reply to message #13840 ] Tue, 22 June 2010 11:46 UTC |
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I use it and love it, wish I waited for V12 (using V11.2)...want to write text 
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| Re: Alibre Design [message #13911 is a reply to message #13870 ] Tue, 22 June 2010 18:11 UTC |
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About one or two years ago, I bought an old version of TurboCAD pro V12. I tried to draw in 3D with this software but it seems much more difficult to use than Alibre (TurboCAD has got more functionalities in some areas). Too bad, because there are good deals on eBay for NIB older versions of TC...
[Updated on: Tue, 22 June 2010 18:13 UTC]
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| Re: Alibre Design [message #14010 is a reply to message #13840 ] Sun, 27 June 2010 01:01 UTC |
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Looks like im getting Alibre Pro. The offered me a deal I couldnt refuse...
Hate those things...
Thanks for the replies!
Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam
Check out http://JakeDrews.Com and http://WondrousWidgets.Com for more designs by Jake!
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| Re: Alibre Design [message #14038 is a reply to message #14010 ] Mon, 28 June 2010 08:58 UTC |
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What is the deal? Dare I ask?
They got rid of the $99 sale I think...or is it still on?
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| Re: Alibre Design [message #14155 is a reply to message #13840 ] Thu, 01 July 2010 04:07 UTC |
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for the Pro version (Normally $600) it was discounted to $449, plus $199 for maintenance. I got the Maintenance package because they are coming out with V13 (or 2011, they are not sure what to call it yet) in September. So...I figured..why not?
PLUS, I got a 6 month payment plan - No Interest.
They still sell the $99 version, but it doesnt import/export anything hardly.
Quick question, when I export STL files, they look pretty...sketchy to say the least. Rough, Bumpy, uneven etc. Some areas are smooth, some are not. (I viewed this in MeshLab, in some areas you can see it on the shapeways viewer too)
Is there a setting somewhere that determines mesh quality? Or is this just purely cosmetic...and not physical model effecting?
Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam
Check out http://JakeDrews.Com and http://WondrousWidgets.Com for more designs by Jake!
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| Re: Alibre Design [message #14156 is a reply to message #14155 ] Thu, 01 July 2010 06:04 UTC |
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You can choose the STL export settings by clicking on tools > Design Options>Filetype dropdown list > STL
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| Re: Alibre Design [message #14239 is a reply to message #13840 ] Fri, 02 July 2010 00:22 UTC |
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Thanks, that helped a lot.
I have a lot to learn with this new software...its so radically different from what I am used to.
Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam
Check out http://JakeDrews.Com and http://WondrousWidgets.Com for more designs by Jake!
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| Re: Alibre Design [message #14293 is a reply to message #13840 ] Fri, 02 July 2010 20:23 UTC |
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sweet!
I want to get some stuff Ponokoed some day soon. not sure what though...
So I poked around your site as well, and went ahead and added it to my links page on my site Http://jakedrews.com
Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam
Check out http://JakeDrews.Com and http://WondrousWidgets.Com for more designs by Jake!
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