Last Name, First Name

ME 165 Spring 2013

Assignment No. 1
Problem: Compare two Computer Aided Design software
Due Date: February 4, 2013


















Run a comparison between two different commercial software packages.
The two software packages chosen were SolidWorks and Parametric Technology Corporation
(PTC) Creo 2.0. They are both history based design software. The order in which parts and
features are created play an effect on the outcome of the design. However, Creo 2.0 has an
application that uses direct design, where the designer can edit and change the geometry of
features and parts without it affect the other geometries. There are quite a few other Computer
Aided Design software (CAD), such as Alibre Design made by Alibre or IRONCAD made by
IronCAD Inc. The criteria used to compare the software were the cost, the ability to analyze
designs, how easy the software is to use, and the ability to share designs. Other criteria were if all
the functions of the software came in one pack or if they were extra, how the software was used
in industries, and who used the software.
How widely is each package used in industry? SolidWorks is used by 1,959,300 users with
169,200 organizations worldwide. The markets that use SolidWorks are industrial, medical,
scientific, consumer, educational, technology, and transportation (Company Info SolidWorks,
2013). Creo is used by 27,000 businesses worldwide. The markets that use Creo Parametric are
industrial equipment, automotive, high tech and electronics, aerospace and defense, retail,
consumer, and medical devices (Company, 2013).
Who are the primary users of the software? The primary users of Solidworks are design
engineers and other technology professionals. The primary users of Creo are design engineers,
industrial designers, analysts, design reviewers, management, and other technology professionals
(How to Buy, 2013).

How much does it cost for a typical single user? The SolidWorks Standard Single User
License costs about $3,995 while the SolidWorks Profession Single User costs about $5,490.
The cost depends on which package the user wants. The SolidWorks Subscription Service for 1
year costs about $1,295 which includes any new releases and downloads ("Solidworks 3D
CAD," 2013). The Creo Parametric is about $4,995 (Kurland, 2011).
How is the company doing in terms of market share and revenues? The revenue for
SolidWorks is $1,783,000 for 2012 ("SolidWorks Fact Sheet," 2012). The revenue for PTC Creo
was $1,258,000,000 ("PTC Announces Solid," 2012).
How easy or user-friendly it is? Consumers on forums explained that SolidWorks is easy to
use and it is more user friendly than Creo. However, Creo was faster and more powerful
(McMechan, 2007).
What kind of computer hardware is required? SolidWorks requires a computer that has at
least 2GB of RAM, Disk Space of at least 5GB, a Processor of Intel or AMD and a 64-bit
operating system is recommended (System Requirements, 2013). Creo requires at least 3 GB
of RAM but recommends at least 4GB with a 64-bit operating system ("Creo 2.0 Minimum,"
2013).
What kind of evolution or revision the software has gone through? SolidWorks has
undergone 21 versions of the software starting in 1995. Each year the software is improved to
make it faster, more user friendly, and add more functions and capabilities. (SolidWorks,
2013) Creo has had two versions of the software, the first of which was released in 2011 and the
second in 2012. However, there are nine applications of Creo, such as Creo Parametric, Creo
Simulate, and Creo Direct (Creo-Design Software, 2013).
Does it integrate well with modeling analysis tools? What kind? SolidWorks integrates well
with modeling analysis tools. Solidworks comes with analysis tools within the software. The
software includes basic structural analysis, basic motion, assembly motion, basic flow analysis,
and basic environmental impact analysis ("Design Analysis," 2013). Creo can also do structural
analysis, basic motion, assembly motion, and flow analysis depending on which applications
were purchased ("Creo Elements," 2013)
State what two packages you have selected to compare, what metrics you choose to
compare, and your reason for choosing them. Present your objective findings, perhaps in a
table or chart form.
SolidWorks and PTC Creo 2.0 were compared because they are the most widely known and used
3D Computer Aided Design software. Both software can create, analyze, modify, and optimize
designs. They both use history based designs, however, Creo 2.0 has the option of purchasing the
Creo Direct which allows the user to edit geometries without it affecting other geometries. The
metrics that are compared are: cost, if the software is user friendly, if the software can handle
analysis as well as design, and if a design can be easily shared with someone else (see Table 1).
Designers need a software that is affordable, easy to use, can perform analyses, and can be
shared easily since most products are designed in teams. These metrics were chosen to be
compared because they are some of the most important to know when purchasing and using a 3D
CAD software.




Table 1. Comparison of SolidWorks and Creo 2.0
SolidWorks Creo
Cost Cheaper, $3,995 for the
SolidWorks Standard package
More expensive, $4,995 for
Creo Parametric package
User Friendly Noted to be more user friendly Noted to be more powerful
and faster
Analysis Modeling Can analyze structures,
stresses, thermal, motion, and
flow. Included in package
Can analyze structures,
stresses, thermal, motion, and
flow. Has to be purchased
extra from standard package.
Sharing Can be shared and published Can be shared and published.
However, with Creo Direct,
other designers can change the
design no matter who created
it

Overall, both SolidWorks and PTC Creo have good characteristics. The better of the two
softwares depends on the application. Creo 2.0, with its many application options, may suit a
company better than SolidWorks because of its speed to compute and its ability to handle larger
assemblies. SolidWorks may be better for another company because it is less expensive and
does not require as much hardware specifications. SolidWorks requires a computer with 2GB of
RAM while Creo recommends 4GB. Each software has its merits and each software is worth
knowing how to use for industry. Both software are used frequently in industry.


REFERENCES
Company info solidworks. (2013). Retrieved on February 3, 2013. Retrieved from
http://www.solidworks.com/sw/183_ENU_ HTML.htm
Company. (2013). Retrieved on February 3, 2013. Retrieved from http://www.ptc.com/company/
How to Buy. (2013). Retrieved on February 3, 2013. Retrieved from http://www.ptc.com/
products/creo/howtobuy.htm
Solidworks 3d cad design software . (2013). Retrieved from
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.635262/sc.2/category.2079/.f
Kurland, R. (2011, J une 17). Planetptc 2011: Its all about creo and mks. Retrieved from
http://raykurland.com/2011/06/17/planetptc-2011-its-all-about-creo-and-mks/
Solidworks fact sheet. (2012, J uly 30). Retrieved from
https://www.solidworks.com/sw/docs/Corp_FactSheet_2012Q2.pdf
Ptc announces solid q4 eps results, initiates q1 and f'y13 targets. (2012, October 31). Retrieved
from http://investor.ptc.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=717668
McMechan, J . (2007, December 7). Difference between pro e and other cad software. Retrieved
from http://grabcad.com/questions/what-is-different-between-pro-e-vs-other-3d-cad-
softwares-like-solid-works-and-etc
System Requirements. (2013). Retrieved on February 3, 2013. Retrieved from
https://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/SystemRequirements.html
Creo 2.0 minimum hardware specifications. (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.ptc.com/appserver/wcms/standards/textoimgothumb.jsp?&im_dbkey=67025
&icg_dbkey=841
SolidWorks. (2013). Retrieved on February 3, 2013. Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidworks
Creo-design software. (2013). Retrieved on February 3, 2013. Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creo_(design_software)
Design analysis. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.solidworks.com/sw/products/3d-cad/design-
analysis.htm
Creo elements. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.ptc.com/product/creo-elements-direct/finite-
element-analysis