Is solidworks better than autocad

He also has a Bachelor of Architecture B. He has worked at the Corporate Green Landscape Management where his duties included landscape design, irrigation design, landscape installation, CAD drafting.

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Don't wait! Offer ends soon! Read this ultimate AutoCAD vs. SolidWorks comparison to get all the answers.

Table Of Contents. Comparison At a Glance In-Depth considerations 1. Deliverables 4. Price 5. Viewing Apps 6. Mobile Apps 7. Community 8. Training Final Thoughts In Summary. Visit Autodesk. Check Price. Was This Helpful? YES Chris Graham. Related Posts. Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Your email address will not be published. Can't find the product you're looking for?

View All Products ». Get it ». See Offer at Autodesk. No, thanks. Hurry up! The clock is ticking Compare Products ». Best Deal. View Plans ». Autodesk is running a special promotion.

The independent drafting community tends to like Solidworks. You can find a lot of independent social media content for training or cool ideas. Training programs are available in many formats, from direct training from the company to Lynda. Check here. Unigraphics NX. Drafting, or AutoCAD computer-aided design drafting, is a good career choice for anyone who is passionate about design and working with computers.

This is on par with national job growth in any career. The best way to start learning AutoCAD on your own is to find an online course or tutorials that best suit your learning preferences and needs.

Yes, there are many things to learn. But using AutoCAD is not difficult. You need to understand the concept of each step; then you will be an AutoCAD guru. This article is not a tutorial, but what do you need to achieve before you can master AutoCAD. The principle on which AutoCAD works is a dynamic engineering model.

Easier Data Transfer. Controllable in nature. Database for manufacturing. It features an impressive set of features that gives its user the ability to create any shape imaginable. It is known as being very easy to learn how to use, while having a simple interface which makes it an approachable 3D CAD program for users of all skill levels. Some of its many features include: simulation, motion, assembly, ScanTo3D, photo rendering among many others.

What is SolidWorks used for? There are also plenty of options for industries in which to use SolidWorks, with the software being used in but not limited to the automotive, electronics, medical, defense and transportation industries.

To make for a fair comparison, we are going to judge each program using four criteria:. SolidWorks, on the other hand, was originally conceived as a tool for 3D modelling and product or mechanical part design and simulation.

Only later did it branch out into the realm of architectural and other engineering elements. In other words, although both packages now offer similar services, their key strengths lie in the industries for which they were initially created. Also, the number of users in the respective industries influences how each company invests in development. One example of an industry where SolidWorks and AutoCAD are competing directly with each other is the electrical field.

SolidWorks Electrical vs AutoCAD Electrical are the respective programs in question, and the choice between them is a common one for an electrical engineer on the hunt for their new CAD tool. The programs themselves are very similar, with SolidWorks being the newer software. Solidworks is much easier to use as it is more streamlined as the latest AutoCAD Electrical updates have not mirrored the same advancements as its rival.

As with all software, user experience is everything and if a user has experience with a particular software, it is not worth their while to switch to another platform, especially in this case as there are not many significant differences between SolidWorks Electrical and AutoCAD Electrical. This is just one example of an instance where these companies go directly head-to-head in a certain category.

Each platform has multiple iterations in many industries and many of them compete within the professional market to become the most popular program in its field. Before we examine the main features of each program and compare them for functionality and relevance towards the users needs, please see below for a more comprehensive list of the available features on both AutoCAD and SolidWorks:.

AutoCAD scores better for 2D design in most areas, including ease-of-use, variety of tools, shape and text editing, and annotation.

AutoCAD utilizes 2D drafting, which is the creation, annotation and editing of technical drawings. It is used to design building permit drawings, floor plans, landscaping layouts and inspection plans.

As mentioned above, SolidWorks does have its own proprietary 2D drafting software, although it does not have the authority in the 2D drafting space that AutoCAD has.

It serves the same target audience, engineers, architects, CAD users in general along with educators and hobbyists. When it comes to 3D design work, SolidWorks wins hands down. If you need to visualize products quickly and effectively, SolidWorks does the job. AutoCAD is known for its 2D capability, but contrary to popular belief it is quite proficient in the 3D modeling area as well. The classic user interface is what is used to operate in 3D, but the sheer number of commands that are available in AutoCAD is what is so impressive.

These can be entered as keyboard shortcuts, allowing the cursor to remain in the intended position instead of moving around clicking toolbars. Any professional should be able to design anything they desire in AutoCAD 3D, which is a great testament to the software, but when it comes to specialized software that is made for machined parts and models, SolidWorks is in a league of its own.

Its robust performance, combined with its design capabilities and ease of use have elevated it to the cream of the crop. It deals with the standard functions like the creation of detailed assemblies, parts, and drawings manufacturing or otherwise seamlessly.

Not limited to the basic functionalities of general 3D CAD programs, SolidWorks gives the user access to tools needed to create sheet metal patterns, structural welded assemblies and complex surfaces.

This is probably due to the fact that SolidWorks is the CAD package of choice for product designers, and is, therefore, more likely to be used on a production line.

For instance, finite element analysis is missing from AutoCAD but is a vital tool for checking prototypes — hence its inclusion in SolidWorks. They both offer cloud collaboration environments that allow teams to work together closely on a project, sharing data and information even from different locations. In terms of inbound file-type compatibility, AutoCAD wins due to the fact that it can import more files from third-party apps than SolidWorks. For outbound file-type compatibility, however, SolidWorks is better, as it offers the option to export to a wider variety of file types.

Therefore, the file-compatibility decision comes down to whether you are more likely to import unusual types or export designs to other programs. When it comes to cross-platform compatibility, AutoCAD is the hands-down winner. It works well on PC, Mac, and some high-spec mobile devices. At the moment, SolidWorks only functions in a Windows-based environment, although they are moving towards a web-based application that should be able to function on Mac and mobile devices.

There are many different commands on AutoCAD, and to be proficient on the program you must know a lot of them. SolidWorks, is a little more complicated as you are incorporating one more axis into your design. But how hard is it to learn SolidWorks? There are also many functions in SolidWorks, but the 3D visual interface and being able to see your model in 3D make a lot of these easier to understand for novice users. Both of these programs are known for their ease of use, and it is something that both companies take pride in.