Solid edge.

[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

Just to make folks aware that Siemens Solid edge 3d Mcad software is now available for personal use. [ so no need to fib about being a Student ] It is the full blown Commercial version [ only parts / assemblies created in the Personal version cant be opened in the commercial version] Awesome software for hose in need of a full blown Pro programme. Details available on the Solid edge website. Just a heads up .

[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember32069]

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[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

Let me know how you get on. [ Incidentally the licence will never run out ]

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Do you have a direct link? All I see is a 30-day "free trial" and a page with the regular student signup

Edited By Bandersnatch on 30/04/2020 18:31:51

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

only parts / assemblies created in the Personal version cant be opened in the commercial version]

Can it work OK in the opposite direction?🙂

[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

Not sure how to insert a link but just Google Solid Edge community edition.

not done it yet, try it and you will find out.

[Enough!Participant @enough]

OK, Raymond, thanks – found it.

For anyone else, the link is:

**LINK**

Edited By Bandersnatch on 30/04/2020 19:38:21

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

Thanks for the heads up on this one.

Jim

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Not really any export options though – just .dwg by the looks of it.

Martin.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Martin

Lack of export options is probably the easiest way of limiting that version of the program to individual users doing personal projects. If you are the only person using it you won't care about proper export. Presumably .dwg is good enough to show folk what you have done.

For hobby folk export to an inexpensive CAM program or to the 3D printer equivalent would seem more desirable than export to another CAD program.

Clive

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

It was enough to put me off downloading, Clive.

I've got access to five CAM apps and a few CAD apps (which includes Fusion 360) and none of them will import a .drg file, so it would prove to be an object lesson in frustration for me to use it and then be unable to send my creations to my CNC mill or lathe.

Martin.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Martin

You are hardly their target market methinks.

I'm trying to plot an escape from Vectorworks Mac. The mechanical side hasn't been updated in ages but they still want to charge me full price upgrades when the current version goes out of date after a couple or three years due to OS upgrades. Not happening now I'm retired! Fusion and I just don't get on, quite aprt from misgivings over the internet linking needed.

If I can just download Solid Edge once to keep forever, whether on a virtual machine or a dedicated Windows box t may be worth the effort for the limited amount of drawing I now do. Seem to be some reasoanble tutorial books around for download too.

Clive

[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

Clive, There is the Official Solid edge forum, , and plenty of user forums. most / all of which count Solid edge Pro's on the member list. so… the best of help is always at hand. Really.. anyone wanting to move to a full blown Mcad programme should test it out. It's a world removed from the hobby type programmes.

Regards.

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

I've had a play with it this morning. I have been able to import every file type I have and been able to save as any file type.

Jim

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember32069]

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[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Can someone confirm which file types this version can export, please?

Martin.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember32069]

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[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

That looks promising, Barrie. Thanks for the pictures.

My original post is based on this quote from the official website.

"Free 2D drafting puts your thoughts on the page

From designing floor plans to sketching ideas for the shop floor, Solid Edge 2D Drafting offers simple drawing layout, diagramming, annotation, and dimensioning. When you’re finished, you can save your file as either a Solid Edge or .DWG format, allowing you the flexibility to collaborate with customers, peers, and partners."

Just seems odd not to mention all the other options.

Martin.

[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

Barrie, You may already know this .. IGES is an archaic file format. I think the last time the standard was updated was around about 1997 or so.! also.. IGES files tend to be Surface models not Solids. and can often have faces that cannot be stitched together [ repaired ] So the upshot is.. if saving in a non native format STP is the preferred option. It is still a "live " format and the last major update was about 3 years ago. I think the current for engineeringl models is 242. I use the commercial version of Solid edge and have done since 2008 or so. I I'm sure you will enjoy using the Community version. It will certainly handle all you can throw at it. [ and more ]

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember32069]

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[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

Barrie, I would think [ but could be wrong ] that the CAM module will be disabled permanently in the Community edition. I will find out and post on here. All the other modules [ FEA, Advanced rendering, Motion ] will remain free.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember32069]

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[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

Barrie, I have just contacted Siemens PLM regarding your query on the CAM module. I await their reply. [ although I don't think it will be the one you want to hear ]… hope i'm wrong though.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Raymond

As I understand it the SolidEdge CAM module is actually Siemens NX so unlocking is exceedingly unlikely.

NX probably redefines the concept of "unsuitable for the home user" as its awesomely powerful, incredibly complex with (allegedly) a learning curve that makes vertical look like a gentle slope. Virtuosos can make it fly, hypersonic. Ordinary folk crash and burn before they get to the end of the runway.

So is there anything else we can, affordably, use to get SolidEdge designs onto home shop level CNC eg Mach, Linux et al. I don't mind paying for a CAM solution as that counts as part of the machine. Its the endless software upgrades, seat licence et al for pro (ish) CAD that get me.

Clive

PS Space made over the weekend to get VirtualBox on the Mac ready for a Windows installation and some trial flights with SolidEdge during the next week or so.

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