Two of the best computer-aided design software in engineering and manufacturing are Catia vs SolidWorks. They have been around for a long period of time now, and they each have different tools and features that can help you work on your projects.
In today’s video, we will take a closer look at the features and points of power and weaknesses of both software, which will be helpful for you to choose the right one for you in your next projects.
CATIA
CATIA is a computer-aided design and manufacturing software developed by Dassault Systems. It is the result of decades of computer-aided design and development in creating complex shapes. It allows direct construction of three-dimensional objects, viewing and manipulating them. CATIA right now is huge in the market as one of the world’s leading solutions for product design and development. It is being used by leading organizations, businesses, and companies in multiple industries.
Some of the industries using CATIA include Packaged Goods, Mechanical Engineering, Sheet metal Design Engineering, Fastener Design Engineering, and Equipment Design Engineering to name a few.
SolidWorks
Solidworks is also a computer design software that enables you to create and edit simple and complicated 3D models for engineering and manufacturing, and it also works as a virtual prototyping software that allows you to create and change according to your needs rather than having to make one in real life. SolidWorks has the ability to execute the most commonly needed tasks of design and engineering because it allows you to build 3D parts from a series of simple 2D sketches and using parametric features and tools that can aid you throughout the whole process. You can put parts together and create assemblies. Also, you can create 2D drawings from 3D parts and assemblies.
CATIA Vs SolidWorks, When?
We should probably say CATIA and SolidWorks, not Catia VS SolidWorks because both software are developed by Dassault Systems, which means that they are not necessarily made to compete with each other. They are simply aimed at different segments and different users in various industries.
Now we will compare their functionalities:
Catia vs SolidWorks in Action
CATIA is aimed at the high-end CAD market, where the designer is not just making a part of a car, but also the car itself, and even the factory where you build the car as well!
SolidWorks on the other hand is a mid-level CAD package that controlled the market over other software because of its shallow learning curve. It is also cheaper than the other ones with the ability to perform at the same level, which means that part-time developers of small and medium-sized companies that are not specialized and involved in big and specific industries such as aviation or automotive will probably find it to be a good choice.
Modeling:
CATIA, for instance, is very well known for its surface modeling as it helps the user to control complex surfaces easily, especially in professional versions, because a lot of the tools are not available in the student version. A good portion of the aerospace and automotive companies in the world rely on it to build their prototypes and for manufacturing.
SolidWorks, on the other hand, probably has the most user-friendly graphical user interface with a lot of parametric modeling tools that can be very effective in designing simple and complex industrial parts for small and medium scale companies and individuals as well.
Assembly and Animation
So many designers find that SolidWorks is good when designing assemblies, and creating animations of those assemblies, in addition to doing simulations. But It is important to understand the basic mechanisms and features of the software because it will speed up the process.
When SolidWorks is ideal for small and medium scale assemblies and analysis, but sometimes used in large scale projects, CATIA is for massive and large scale assemblies, it has different types of workbenches that can be used for almost any imaginable type of design and analysis. Along with its complementary software like DELMIA which tackles the management and manufacturing aspect, and SIMULIA can be used for in-depth analysis. This is how CATIA can comprise an entire Product Life-cycle Management ecosystem and can be easily controlled.
The User Interface
Solidworks has a user-friendly and intuitive CAD interface, which makes the design process simple for almost anyone with the will of learning its concepts and tools.
CATIA has a good user interface, with easy to access tools and features. that allows you to experiment with different possibilities when it comes to modeling, animation, customization, and graphics, it is simple to command and control, and has a lot of modules.
The Learning Curve
There are some functionality differences between CATIA and Solidworks that you should know about, such as Surface Modeling, and the ease of use with which you can create complex structures and assemblies because overall Solidworks can be considered easier. Animation, rendering engines are quite different, as well as structural analysis. You will find different Libraries offered with each software, also the workflow management and automation.
For a beginner in Computer-Aided Design, however, both software should offer about the same functionality, with some differences in the learning curve. It is when you become a professional in your field using this CAD software that you start getting into more complex or specialized Computer Design work, where you will notice the real differences between both software.
Prices and License
SolidWorks is one of the most popular computer-aided design software. And the reason behind its popularity is the low cost of its license since most of the other software such as CATIA is very expensive. And this is one of the points that one focuses on when choosing between them of course, it is depending on one’s interests and capabilities.
https://www.solidworks.com/how-to-buy
Prices differ depending on the license purchased because each one has its own functionalities. The student license of both in CATIA and SolidWorks has the least of tools and functionalities possible and is the cheapest one and it can occasionally be free, but most of SolidWorks’ licenses are cheaper than CATIA’s.
https://www.3ds.com/products-services/catia/products/v5/portfolio/
Based on the license, the software has in-built CAD options for printed circuit board, electronic and electrical design, which makes it easy for large teams of designers to make their ideas come to life in all fields that are needed to create a complete product.
Final Thoughts
You can actually choose between Catia vs SolidWorks depending on points we talked about because each one of them has its own tools and features that can be suitable for some people but not for others.
When getting into the world of design and engineering you will need at least to know about the fundamentals of using this kind of software, so it is better to know now what exactly your aim and needs are which will make the choice easier.
