[moyesboy]

Alibre xpress has changed slightly since the pre 100,000 post 100,000 thing.
I think now if you download the software and run it you have one feature set and assembly total different parts limit.
Then if you register the software you get a bigger number of assembly parts, and you also get some other features, perhaps 3D sketch, shell, import export like the first 100,000 I'm not sure.

Xpress will open big assemblies, created in the full version, as read only - so it is the ultimate viewer with the ability to edit individual parts from the big assembly. you can send youre stuff to anyone in the world and they can look at your design in 3D on free downloaded software.

The next version of Alibre is due out in the next month or two and there will be more features and the difference between xpress and the full version will change no doubt.

However, if you are balking at the price of the full version (US$995 for Alibre std) because you need more assembly parts, bear in mind that they will sell you added features bit by bit so you can get the part limit lifted without paying the full wack. Consider that before you go to some 2.5D non parametric system!

By the way you can draw 2D in the drawing workspace and export that as DXF to get your quick toolpaths, or you can model it in 3D and export dxf from the 2D views of it.
If you did it in 2D you can still use the geometry to extrude into 3D later if you need to.

[tjones]

I used Xpress with the export to do solids for Bobcad CAD/CAM software. Worked great. I now use the full version and even happier. Looking forward to getting sheetmetal this year if I'm allowed.

Alibre Xpress is the best value with added export module I have seen. The Free Xpress and $99 for the import/export makes a great translation program if nothing else. We were looking into buying just a file translator and it would have cost us almost $1000 for the features Xpress +$99 gave us and Xpress could create the solids as well.

I can not find a better value IMHO.

Alibre also has great deal every few months that are well worth the cost. Xpress will give 5 assembly parts and some of the advanced solids and 3D feature are an extra cost. Most addons to express are $199. These addons give advanced features like the full version but allows you to buy only what you need when you need it.

[cbass]

Moyesboy,

I just wanted to say hi and welcome aboard. I'm Olrac over on the prodesktop.net site (small net, huh?), though I haven't posted there in a while...

For those of you who don't know him, Moysboy is like the Ger21 of cnc but for pro/desktop... always willing to help and a wealth of information!

I hope I didn't embarrass you

Carlo

[tjones]

Here are the normal version options for Xpress verses full and pro.

It shows the modules available for xpress.

https://www.alibre.com/products/features.asp

[moyesboy]

It is a bit embarrasing to admit that I am still working pretty much every day with proDesktop!

For large flying toys see the boys at moyes www.moyes.com.au
small flying toys www.x400tuning.com

[ger21]

Anybody know anything about Alibre home and hobby? Thery're offerring it via email for $495. Is it the full Alibre Design for non commercial use?

[tjones]

Anybody know anything about Alibre home and hobby? Thery're offerring it via email for $495. Is it the full Alibre Design for non commercial use?

It is the full version with the added Photrender. I have not read any restriction on use so we will have to hear from anyone who calls Alibre.

[ger21]

It is the full version with the added Photrender. I have not read any restriction on use so we will have to hear from anyone who calls Alibre.

It's half the price of the full version, according to my email.

[moyesboy]

I don't think it has any restrictions on commercial use. I don't think any alibre versions have!

[tjones]

It's half the price of the full version, according to my email.

It's a sale! When it goes back to normal price it is $95 more than the normal version.

[ger21]

They are both on sale. According to the email I got, Home and Hobby is $995, Full Design is $1595. Both are $500 off right now, so it's half the price right now.

[moyesboy]

The commercial versions of alibre are currently as follows:

Alibre std has 3D parts, assemblies, associative drawings and associative BOM.

Alibre "Home and hobby" has photoreal capability on top of that and is a new package.

Alibre professional has sheet metal, algor design check FEA, photoreal, and the repository file management and I think a std parts library of some sort.

There's another one after that which has photorender industrial pack, kinetic analysis and some sort of CNC programs but before considering that you should look into exactly what those licenses are because they don't necessarily renew with the alibre renewal.

Alibre are quite flexible in packing a package up to suit your individual requirements.
The software on your PC is a complete version and the various bits are turned on and off via a internet activation with a key at their end.

If you travel you can load the software up on several PCs in different places and via internet it will know its your account and let you work with your license. you can pay extra and actually store your design data at alibre in a remote repository (the data travels gradually as required). also you can collaborate on line and work on the same part with someone else passing an editors batton back and forth.
That bit of it is quite unique.