Free 30 Day Trial of Pro-E

PTC is finally taking a major cue from Rhino3d by now letting users download a free version for 30 days. This will let designers and engineers find out for themselves that Wildfire 3.0 is an incredible tool. It has always frustrated me to see industrial designers download Rhino and then years later they are huge Rhino fans, when they could have learned a program that is easier to take to production.

As a high end 3D user myself, it is clear to me that a 3D modeler can easily compete with a design engineer who uses only 2 dimensions. It is not so clear to the uninformed 2D user that one can model faster in 3D and the 2D drawings are practically a free result of the 3D model. Only after the design firm makes the conversion is this obvious. In this document I try to make three points for going to 3D modeling. 1. It is faster to model and create a drawing using Pro/E than a 2d package 2. A three dimensional deliverable is more accurate 3. There is less interpretation by the tooling vendor or prototyper.

It is faster to model and create a drawing using Pro/E than a 2D package. While 2D cad designer spends their time placing lines on a page the 3D designer is thinking in all 3 dimensions. Extruding forms instead of drawing lines captures form much faster. To boot the 2D drawing often still required for documentation and quotation takes only minutes because the model is already complete.

A 3D deliverable is more accurate and often has no mistakes compared to the 2D model or detail drawing. This is because a designer can cut cross sections through the parts and instantly see the interferences or clearances. Once I see the problem I simply modify one part or another and the assembly that is referenced in the drawing simply updates so I can see the new clearance or interference. Often times your instructed to create a .015 inch clearance between all parts. Now, with 3D I have a process and only a few steps before I nail the tolerances I am looking for.

http://www.ptc.com/offers/tryout.htm