Hi All,

I have experience with Poser, Maya, Photoshop, Final Cut Studio, and many others, I'm a very fast learner, but am stuck trying to decide what combination of software will be most appropriate for my next several projects, I would love to hear advice any of you may have.

I would like to design 3D-models of objects that I want CNC'd.  From the research I've done, I'll need to learn SolidWorks for that.  Looking at the bigger picture, I also want to design much larger 3D structures (i.e. homes, buildings and boats).  I'm not sure SolidWorks is really appropriate for that sort of thing, so I'm thinking ACAD, but from the research I've done on ACAD, I'm not overly excited about it.  It would also be nice to run simulations with my objects, having to do with gravity, buoyancy, the more simulation functionality the better.  And finally, I want the ability to render great quality scenes of these objects (maybe I can import my creations with Maya to render?)

So my goal is to find the most appropriate combination of software for my needs.  Obviously I'd love it if just one application encompassed the entire gamut of what I've outlined, but I think that's an unrealistic expectation and I haven't heard of any such software.  Also, I use a Mac (a very capable Mac Pro 8-core) and would LOVE to use Mac native software, but I do run Fusion and am fine with running XP if I have to, I understand that I probably will.   If SolidWorks, Maya, and ACAD really is the best combination, then so be it, but I thought I'd post to see if anyone thinks there may be a better solution for me.

Thanks,
  -Adam

 Actually, I think I may have answered my own question, SolidWorks is capable of much more than I thought, looks like it would be an all encompassing solution for me.  I'd still love to hear any thoughts or advice though!  Thanks,
  -Adam

I could not find a price on their website. Do you know how much it is?
Have you looked at Rhino?

 I couldn't find a price either - I guess I'll have to request a quote... I'm not thrilled about a salesperson having my number, but I gotta do what I gotta do I guess.

I haven't researched Rhino too much, I suppose I should.  My Uncle uses it, he's a jeweler (had a hand in making the 2004 superbowl trophy actually!).  I got the impression it was mainly for really small stuff, but it's certainly worth a look, thanks for the idea.

I suspect I'd need the SolidWorks Premium with the addon's which allow me to use a CNC router.... Naturally, that stuff I want usually does end up being the most expensive!  :-p

   -Adam

I get very annoyed by companies that don't know what their stuff costs. Please post back when you get a price.

 Haha, me too!!  I'll certainly do that.  My guess is that they decide what they're gonna charge based on how much money the think you've got.  Why else would they hide the price like that?  Jerks.  Anyway, I'll certainly post what I learn in here.  :)

I don't care how cool it is, if it costs a half a million dollars, I don't need to talk to someone about it.
Fwiw, I have no idea what kind of relationship you have with your uncle, but if
my nieces and nephews decided to enter 3d and chose something other than Maya, they would be cutting themselves off from a very valuable resource, not because I would not be willing to help with 3ds, xsi or whatever, but because I only know maya - he may even have access to software, people and jobs.

"*I haven't researched Rhino too much, I suppose I should.  My Uncle uses it, he's a jeweler (had a hand in making the 2004 superbowl trophy actually!).  I got the impression it was mainly for really small stuff, but it's certainly worth a look, thanks for the idea."

*That made me chuckle a bit because a local luxury yacht building company uses Rhino to design their hulls.

For CAD/CAM type stuff, Rhino seems to be the main one I've seen around these parts. It appears to do most of the NURBS and draftsman/engie things, short of getting really spendy with Autocad or Solidworks. Visit the forum/gallery and invetigate what people are doing. There's a lot of neat cars/airplanes/etc. to be seen.

If it was just general poly-pushing, I would have said Wings because it's free, has little overhead, and you can quickly learn how Catmull-Clark subdiv works (which is what every polygon app uses to some degree.) A lot of poly programs also export to file formats like .stl, which is useful for rapid-prototyping. Still the problem that arises is to what degree you can get any precision may vary. I suppose that's why the NURBS route is preferred for this type of application. (But if you're just doing figurines or something of that sort with no real mechanical fits, then you could probably get by with .stl exported from a poly-based application.)

Also since you're already on Maya, I'm surprised you haven't checked out some of the CAD related plugins and things like T-Splines. Seems like those options may be easier than learning a whole new software. (But then again, ask around about costs and workflow considerations.)

do a search for solidedge and nx too.

Attached Link: http://www.rhino3d.com/sales.htm

I've been looking at ViaCAD Pro 6 which has NURBS G1/G2 surface matching (it's around $200).  Just waiting to hear back from the forum mod so I can view their WIPs and finished models that visitors upload there at www.punchcad.com.

How about TurboCad? It's always on sale for $50.00 bucks or less...Granted it maybe 2 or 3 versions below what is the current release....

TurboCAD Pro creates nice STL models that will import into Carrara Pro or Amapi Pro as NURBS objects.  But it lags behind in 3DS, DXF, DWG, OBJ exporting.  Too many versions for it to keep updated with.