To try out IronCAD 2014 practically, I went ahead and opened a large automotive component (see figure 4). (IronCAD calls this ‘kernel collaboration,’ yet it is something users never even know is occurring because IronCAD quietly generates the results they expect.) Working with IronCAD The folks at IronCAD tell me that both kernels work together to complete modeling operations that have failed in one kernel working alone. I set mine for Parasolid, because I have found that get the best success with data exchange by using Parasolid’s.
It seems to me that this would put them in a higher price bracket (due to the added licensing cost), but the opposite is true as IronCAD is priced lower than most other mid-range MCAD packages.Ī default kernel is chosen during install, but it can be changed for new parts. IronCAD is the only company to offer this. Both Siemens PLM’s Parasolid and Dassault Systemes’ ACIS are built in. IronCAD can more easily handle many different file types because it is a dual kernel CAD program. I’ve alerted IronCAD that users need this format – with no increase in price, of course! It is commonly used for visualization 3D models in viewers, but can contain solid model information. One format that I noticed missing is JT, an interchange format championed by Siemens PLM. The difference between the two is that File | Open handles native and 2D formats, while File | Import works with non-native 3D formats.įigure 3: 3D file types that can be opened in IronCAD This is augmented by the selections available in the import dialog box (see figure 3). Figure 2 lists the supported file types when opening a new document.įigure 2: Native and 2D file types that can be opened in IronCAD This is done through a very reasonably-priced add-on called IronCAD-Trans that offers read and write capability for CATIA files, as well as reading files from NX (nee Unigraphics), SolidWorks, Pro/E, Inventor, and others. IronCAD is robust when it comes to supporting non-native file types. Even better, IronCAD’s Smart Assembly capabilities lets me place objects with intelligent behavior, such as automatic positioning and orientation I could see this making it quick and easy to build configurable products. Even sheet metal features exist there in the catalog. We designers drag and drop these features and parts into the scene, and then quickly resize or position them with handles and the Tri-Ball. It makes conceptual and production modeling a snap – literally. While other vendors have tried to copy this tool, the original Tri-Ball takes the cake.īefore moving on, I should also mention the Catalog Browser. It can even copy and pattern (array) parts and assemblies – very powerful. It is first of all a positioning tool, but it also pushes, pulls, and stretches faces, parts, and assemblies. Having all of the parts in one file has its advantages I can save out any specific part/assembly as desired.Īnother unique element is the Tri-Ball. At any time, I can group parts into assemblies and even disassemble at will to alter the structure to my particular needs. It lets me make part after part quickly, without having to decide on a CAD file name or its location. I like that, especially for making conceptual models. A scene is not a part or assembly it’s both. While some of these UI elements are common among mid-range CAD programs, a few are unique. This is a how IronCAD 2014 looks right out of the box, with exception of the menu bar I turned on. In figure 1 I identify a few key interface elements, such as the Tri-ball, the Catalog Browser and Scene Browser.
Ironcad 2016 price software#
I’ll start in this software review with the user interface, supported file types, and large model handling, and then I will highlight functions new to IronCAD 2014, including TraceParts, KeyShot, GrabCAD, and point clouds. But for now, I’ll touch on some of the new and core features that are generating attention.
Ironcad 2016 price series#
I could write an entire series of articles to cover the features of IronCAD properly. So, here we are today with IronCAD version 2014 and a host of new features. Before then, it was known as Trispectives with its Tri-Ball user interface, which is still present today. More accurately, IronCAD did both history and direct modeling back then, as it always was a hybrid molder. Back with IronCAD version 1 in the 90s I witnessed it doing direct modeling (history-free), long before most CAD users knew they needed it. To see what all the fuss was about, I figured I’d open up the software and take a look inside. IronCAD is getting a lot of attention these days, adding TraceParts, integrating GrabCAD, and more recently, adding KeyShot.
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