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IndustryArena Forum > CAD Software > Uncategorised CAD Discussion > Is Alibre the next best thing to Solidworks?
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    344

    Is Alibre the next best thing to Solidworks?

    I am looking for a 3D CAD program that will also do assemblies like solidworks. Is this the next best thing to Solidworks? I just dabble and cannot justify the cost of Solidworks or really anything much more than the cost of Alibre, but I like Solidworks a lot (trained in it at my last job).

    I will download the demo when I get a chance, but I never have enough free time to get much use out a demo before it expires.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    869
    You won't go wrong with Alibre. It's great software that functions awesome. I use it's assembly features all the time.

    Wade

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    3154
    lol
    Poor choice of words Jev.
    IMO "next best thing" Would be Inventor, Pro E, Solid Edge.
    Best budget software in lieu of.... absolutely
    www.integratedmechanical.ca

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    10

    I Like Alibre

    I have had Alibre for two years and I think it is great. There is very little advantage to solidworks for the small user.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    80

    Alibre is a Good Choice

    Alibre is a very good choice for value CAD with an excellent set of features and a user interface similar enough to other higher end packages that a transition to those in the future if needed would be very easy. I have been using Alibre since 2009 and have yet to find a reason to spend more money on anything else. I have use Pro-E and Solidworks in the past. I like Solidworks, I don't really like Pro-E at all. Neither is worth the extra money in my opintion when you can get Alibre for a fraction of the cost.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    16
    As a former AutoCAD and Pro/E user here's my $0.02: After taking a new job I needed a parametric CAD package to fill the need for mechanical design development; after looking at all of the offerings on the market, I found the best solution for the money was Alibre Design; that was back in 2007. I've used it ever since with great pleasure.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    115
    Just don't go looking for Alibre anymore. It's gone as of this morning!


    It's now called Geomagic design (sigh.. Stupid name IMHO...)

    From an email I got this morning;


    We are excited to announce the release of the 2013 version of Alibre Design with many new tools and hundreds of enhancements. But in addition to the exciting new features now available in what is the best version ever of our software, we have one major change that you will notice – what you knew as Alibre Design is now Geomagic® Design.

    Our products will now be called:

    Geomagic Design Personal
    Geomagic Design Professional
    Geomagic Design Expert
    This new name represents a new chapter for Alibre – one that brings together the resources of the entire 3D Systems software organization to provide you with awesome software and support. More information on the transition to 3D Systems Geomagic can be found at www.alibre.com.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    869
    I have to say I agree. VERY stupid name.

    Alibre sounds as neat as Solidworks, or Inventor. Geomagic? Sounds like a game for a 2-4 year old.

    I like the software, but the name REALLY needs work.

    Wade

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    525
    I purchased the Pro version of 2012 last month.

    Great software but that name is just horrid!
    Kelly
    www.finescale360.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    115
    If you just bought it last month then I assume you're eligible for the upgrade as well (I was with the personal edition anyhow).

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    16
    My favorite reaction to the name on the Alibre forum was that "...[GeoMagic] sounds more like it belongs to a cartoon about a rainbow-spewing unicorn saving the environment..."
    Thank you GaretDH!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    266
    The name change to Geomagic is all the more stupid as you still go to the Alibre website to buy it. :bs:




    Martin.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    344
    I ended up buying Geomagic Design Expert (Alibre). After much research, it was the best choice for the money. So far I like it.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    344
    Quote Originally Posted by adz View Post
    Alibre is now owned by GEOMAGIC. Its Okay as there is an API. I have tried to interface with the API (.NET) without success but thankfully found WizoScript which has more features anyway - presently the chap isn't charging.

    You can buy a version of it as Cubify for $200.
    Alibre was bought by 3D Systems some time ago. If you want much capability it is more like a couple thousand dollars. I have been using it for awhile and I would say it is good. Not much effort to transition from Solid Works. Very similar.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    2143

    Re: Is Alibre the next best thing to Solidworks?

    Well you guys are replying to a 2-year old thread, but if you want SolidWorks on a budget, get in on the Onshape Beta. It is being developed by some of the original team that made SolidWorks, and it is free now in Beta. https://www.onshape.com/
    CAD, CAM, Scanning, Modelling, Machining and more. http://www.mcpii.com/3dservices.html

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    413

    Re: Is Alibre the next best thing to Solidworks?

    OnShapes web page title is the "Future of CAD"......

    As an individual who works on a lot of proprietary, company owned, often protected design, how in the world can one assure any PRIVACY with a web, browser or Cloud based Anything ? If that really is the future for CAD, it's a problem.

    That is not to say that any "programmer" can't install devious code into a traditional CAD program, but at least you can use software to monitor and control any software that shouldn't be "talking out". Web based programs do nothing BUT "talk out" or communicate with a zillion other servers all the time. No way to control that easily.

    Perhaps OnShape is wonderful for Joe Blow Hobbyist, but not for any serious corporate CAD work...... unless you intend to freely share.

    A similar technique is showing up for machine control, using browsers to send your code to machines. When plain text files can be grabbed instantly and without anyone's knowledge into a national database, how can that be secure for any real operation ?
    Chris L

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    2143

    Re: Is Alibre the next best thing to Solidworks?

    Better get used to it. Ever heard of Cloud Computing? Ever planning to use any Adobe products starting last year or newer? Ever planning to use Windows 10 or higher? Ever planning to use MS Office after 2-3 years from now? If yes to any of those, you will be on the cloud "sharing" your data. Obviously security needs to be taken in to consideration (and has been), but it IS the way of the (now and) future, like it or not.

    Here's a timely article from the author of G-Wizard on the topic, as well. 14 Cloud Software Myths Debunked for Manufacturing Software - CNCCookbook CNCCookbook
    CAD, CAM, Scanning, Modelling, Machining and more. http://www.mcpii.com/3dservices.html

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    4548

    Re: Is Alibre the next best thing to Solidworks?

    Hey Chris,
    Yeah, those are "HTTPS" connections, which are a secure "tunnel" just between you and the server... There is no proprietary/security "Not Professional" issue there..... Worldwide Banking is done there......

    If the concern is the security of your data on the server, it will be far more secure on the servers setup to do it than leaving the security to all the Toms, Dicks and Harry's that have notoriously in the past been responsible for their own computers..... Pretty sure their Security IT team will be "better than yours"..........

    The only thing that concerns me is the lack of an "offline client", which a lot of the Cloud systems supply. I don't want to be locked out of my work if I have no internet (There are multiple scenarios where this is the case).....

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    1795

    Re: Is Alibre the next best thing to Solidworks?

    from adobe illustrator to a machining ceter i think theres avery long way..
    mightbe programs can be distributed, but there are too many customer who dont want internet connection with their vmc.. or lathe..

    so what is th enext? someone unlike your machine from facebook, and it stops to working :-)

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Is Alibre the next best thing to Solidworks?

    but there are too many customer who dont want internet connection with their vmc.. or lathe..
    It doesn't matter what you want when it's the only thing available. All the major players will be cloud based in ~5 years or so.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

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