Calculus Question: Solidworks vs. Autocad
Synapse
Autocad, irrespective of 2D or 3D, is that:
Solidworks performs calculations and generates features based on Parametric
equations
Autocad performs performs calculations and generates features based on
Polar equations
Which is why coordinates of Origins aren't as important in SWX as ACAD. Am
I correct in my assumptions?
Peter
M.B.Stephens
Don Jackson
modeling. Both softwares can use either Polar or Cartesian (X/Y)
coordinate systems.
Don Jackson
Synapse
A parametric equation has a variable (t) that can define any number of
equations, x=f(t), y=g(t), z=h(t), etc.
My question is if
Solidworks calculates based on Polar equations of the form (r,theta) for
(x,y), for a polar coordinate system, with r=parameter (ie, radius=5), and
theta= pi revolutions (ie, 2pi= circle)
Autocad calculates based on Rectangular equations of the form x=f(t),
y=g(t), z=h(t), with center (h,k), r^2= (x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2
Just a question.
Synapse wrote in message ...
Jim Patrick
>Can someone confirm for me if the main difference between Solidworks and
>Autocad, irrespective of 2D or 3D, is that: ................<snipped>
The MAIN difference between the two is that one is a modeler with draft
output and the other is a drafter with some modeling capabilities.
Solidworks primarily makes clay-like or 3D object representations of solid
material whose shapes are controlled or driven by dimensions or
user-defined equations. One secondary feature of Solidworks is the ability
to print paper drawings of the object(s) in a drafted manner.
Autocad primarily makes printed paper output, and uses (fill in the blank,
but 90% is lines) whatever objects necessary to achieve this.; including
the use of the objects to define or "drive" the apparent dimensions. One
minor feature of Autocad is ability to create simple models.
Solidworks is a modeler, and Autocad is a drafter.
It has nothing to do with underlying math, what language the programs were
written in, or anything else.
Jim Patrick
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Synapse
missing the point of the question, perhaps the question needs to go out to
those of you that code cad programs.
I think that anyone can figure out the simplistic explanation put forth,
everyone knows the difference between Acad and SWX, I'm asking about the
programming behind it, and the algorithm that drives it.
Why you ask? So that if I ever come across something that I would like to
model based on mathematical equations I would know better how to approach
it. Its called Engineering and designing, as opposed to hacking and
changing things as I go along, its how people like Boeng build planes that
fly the first time out, without adding critical parts as they "figure" them
out along the way.
>The MAIN difference between the two is that one is a modeler with draft
>output and the other is a drafter with some modeling capabilities.
Thanks for the insight I never knew that, so let me get this straight, if I
hit extrude, for a 2d profile I get a solid, right?
>Solidworks primarily makes clay-like or 3D object representations of solid
>material
If this analogy let's you sleep comfortably at night so be it.
No need to belittle with 2d vs 3d that's easy enough, its self-explanatory,
I use the program, I know what a dimension is, but do you know how that
dimension calculates your other parameters? That's what I'm getting at.
>Solidworks is a modeler, and Autocad is a drafter.
>It has nothing to do with underlying math, what language the programs were
>written in, or anything else.
I myself like to "learn" how things work, but according to your logic, it's
a tool, use it and shut up, sorry I'll pass, I like to make my own decisions
not just eat what I'm fed. You'll never discover anything if you enjoy
having your blinders on like a horse with a carriage. I'm not a draw only
and detail, follow instructions guy.
Sorry for flaming and being a cynic, but hell, I just don't buy the "take it
in the ass" approach.
So for those of you who took Calculus at one time and do some coding, some
insight, thanks.
Charles Bliss
thought process is mostly 2D". He uses SolidWorks (and others) for modeling and
2D Autocad for "designing".
As to programming AutoCAD, you can program it in both cartesian and polar
systems and you can have the calculations work to the base (world) coordinate
system, the display coordinate system, the entity coordinate system or relative
to points in space. It work pretty well as a geometric calculator if you know
how to program it.
As an example, we have one engineer who use SW for all his modeling but will
revert to AutoCAD to map magnetic fields. I don't think you map magnetic fields
in a solid modeler but stranger things have happened.
Risto.Apajalahti
2D Autocad - it just confuses you - if you want to swich to
3D designs.
Cheers
Risto
"Synapse" <syn...@ixpres.com> wrote in message
news:s64v71...@corp.supernews.com...
> Can someone confirm for me if the main difference between Solidworks and
> Autocad, irrespective of 2D or 3D, is that:
>
JM Brun
equations used in the model are all very simple trigonometric ones. No
dimension is driven by another, unless you specify and write such an
equation.
You should get a demo, or put your hands on SW, for example, to understand
that your question does not make sense to SW users.
Hope it helps
Brun JM
Synapse
looking to switch," but I use SWX myself and was just trying to define for
me some of the parameters that SWX works within to try to better understand
it. Trust me I know how to use SWX.
JM Brun wrote in message <83v78o$pff$1...@front7.grolier.fr>...
>The word "parametric" in this case has nothing to do with mathematics. The
>equations used in the model are all very simple trigonometric ones
Understood thanks
Synapse
Charles Bliss wrote in message <3863239A...@cbliss.com>...
Synapse
Jim Patrick
>I myself like to "learn" how things work, but according to your logic, it's
>a tool, use it and shut up, sorry I'll pass, I like to make my own decisions
My attitude is to answer questions as they are stated. You asked a
question and were (politely) answered by a number of people who ALL had the
same information.
>..........You'll never discover anything if you enjoy
>having your blinders on like a horse with a carriage. I'm not a draw only
>and detail, follow instructions guy.
So your attitude is bad. But the MAIN difference between the Solidworks
and Autocad is that one's a modeler and one's a drafter.
>Sorry for flaming and being a cynic, but hell, I just don't buy the "take it
>in the ass" approach.
You don't like factual answers (there's several, all saying the same). The
MAIN difference between the Solidworks and Autocad is that one's a modeler
and one's a drafter. That's a fact; stick it where you want.
Synapse's question was: "Can someone confirm for me if the main difference
between Solidworks and Autocad, ......
The ANSWER is no. You are wrong. That is not the main difference.
If you want different answers, ask different questions.
You must be the last synapse left, and frazzled too.
kellne...@my-deja.com
parametric or functional. You won't understand this discussion without
looking at <http://www.engtran.com/Parametrics.zip>.
SolidWorks supports only Cartesian coordinate systems. There is the
global cartesian coordinate system and there are sketch cartesian
coordiate systems. You can also create additional coordinate systems
independent of the global system. These are also cartesian. In
Solidworks you cannot directly dimension a point based on polar
coordinates (see sheets Quadratic and Spiral). There is a workaround
which requires construction geometry which is illustrated on sheet
Spiral.
SolidWorks is not truly parametric. It is dimension driven. This is a
distinction between Pro/E and SolidWorks. In Pro/E there is a time
variable available that can range from 0 to 1. This time variable can be
used to drive any number of equations and create any number of curves.
But in SolidWorks to create a parametric curve one must create a table
of values based on the parameter and use this to drive spline points to
approximate the curve desired (see sheet Parametric). This table can be
arrived at using Excel or the API and in this way tied to other
dimensions. So I conclude that SolidWorks is not truly parametric
because it does not support the use of an independent variable that is
not another dimension value. SolidWorks is merely functional.
I would sorely like to see the addition of polar dimensioning and the
ability to generate a true parametric curve without having to depend on
a spline approximation. But I also realize that SolidWorks typically
does not release functionality without making it understandable to the
average user. And this stuff is probably way beyond the average user.
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Sam Kessler
something like Foley's
Computer Graphic Principles and Practices. Regrettably, it was only after years
working with CAD till I did.
Synapse wrote:
> Can someone confirm for me if the main difference between Solidworks and
> Autocad, irrespective of 2D or 3D, is that:
>
> Solidworks performs calculations and generates features based on Parametric
> equations
> Autocad performs performs calculations and generates features based on
> Polar equations
>
> Which is why coordinates of Origins aren't as important in SWX as ACAD. Am
> I correct in my assumptions?
>
> Peter
--
Sam Kessler sa...@enteract.com
Mechanical Application Consulting http://www.enteract.com/~samk
Phone (773)262-1375 FAX (773)337-6272