LONG time IronCad user...
Hey guys, just wondering if anyone out there is using Ironcad, who was previously using solidworks. We're hiring a draftsman that has experience with pro-e and solid works, and want to select the right drafting program for our application. Right now all of our working prints are in 2d Autocad format. Looking for a couple things we want in our draft package. Right now our assemblies are pretty simple, and our goal is to have models available to oems through website. What I'm afraid of is double documentation and how avoid this. If we make a change to a model feature that has a similar feature across a group of parts, I want to make sure the changes are made globally in the working or dimensional drawings. Right now we don't have an issue as we only have one file... The working drawing. I've downloaded the ironcad trial, and really do like the speed of creating the model (I have zero experience with 3d modeling, I'm a sticks and circles Autocad guy). I just don't know if the slight learning curve for our draftsman to a new program is justified vs going with solidworks. Anyone here have experience with both, and can way the positives and negatives? I'd like an unbiased view, which I can't get from either of the salesmen
. Thanks!
There once was a rich investor (G Paul Allen, co-founder of MicroSoft) that wanted to bring "CAD to the masses", so he invested in a company that introduced TriSpectives Technical in 1995-6ish. 3D CAD that worked on windows 3.11/95!!! I purchased this in 1997 for $318USD and it was the 2.0 version, with mechanical parts library disc included! At the time I was 'competent' in Pro/E and had designed a few parts. But Trispectives had the TriBall and worked on a Packard Bell machine I had---not the Sun Sparc Station(?) that was available only at the local university. AMAZING bit of kit for the time! TriSpective allowed me to create my first few SLA 3D parts and design my first two parts that were later injection molded.
I don't remember the actual time, early oughts???, but IronCAD purchased TriSpective Technical---guess the Masses didn't give a sh!t about 3D CAD after all, did they G Paul? Anyway, my $300ish software program required a hefty many thousand dollar upgrade. Pissed off, for sure. But the limitations of TriSpectives was gone...how many parts, how big...it was a real CAD program! By that time I must have had 5-7 years design experience on the platform; so 'changing' wasn't something I wanted to do.
My previous business---I designed and manufactured cinema accessories--was totally powered by IronCAD and MastercamX5. They don't work together as well as Fusion360 does with CAD/CAM, but the work flow was not obstructed.
I would recommend IronCAD for it's 3D abilities. It has CAXA drafting---the Chinese bought them a few years back---but to be honest, I do everything in 3D modeling, then part blue print in their IronCAD Draft.
As for the glitch/bug issues, I had this on a project in 2015-6...but the file was of a machine that was 200' x 40' b 16' tall, with 9000+ moving parts. The tech support is great--Kevin was tops--and a product update solves all issues.
Price? I believe $3500 plus $1500 annual support.
I could not have designed the previous machine as quickly (4 months) as I did in another environment. Full disclosure, I have a connexion Space Pilot Pro, large trackball from Kensington, and customized my buttons and IronCAD GUI for fast workflow.