Best CAD software for mechanical engineers

Finding CAD software that really fits your needs is sure to save you lots of frustration down the road. It’s tempting to simply go for the best you can afford, but apart from the cost of the product itself, there is the time investment that will be wasted if you choose the wrong software. This might be software that, for example, doesn’t have the right functional capabilities, doesn’t seamlessly slot into your workflow, or even worse, disrupts it.

Also, whatever your level of expertise, there’s a bit of a learning curve for each major platform. So here are some considerations to make and save yourself a few gray hairs as you go about finding the right CAD software for you.

Does it really do the job?

First, ensure that the software features the capabilities that your workflow demands. Whether you are in design, manufacturing, or any range of application scenarios, there will be certain functionalities that you’ll know are crucial for you. For instance, if you have a multi-faceted team, does the software offer options for collaboration? Can you integrate different design aspects, for example electrical and mechanical, in one project and with options for managing different versions? Does the software offer templates and automation to help you speed up your workflow and also standardize your designs?

There are also considerations to be made for how well that your software supports your manufacturing processes. Is there support for the design, printing, and validation of 3D models if you use additive manufacturing, for example? Or features for machining, mold manufacturing, and milling if you are working with Computer Aided Manufacturing?

These are all important questions and considerations you need to work through as you make your choices.

Integration with other software

Even if you settle on a feature-rich application, a significant part of the work mechanical engineers do takes place outside CAD modeling software. So it is important that there is easy integration, or at least an acceptable level of compatibility, with other platforms in your workflow.

Cross-compatibility will also help you better coordinate with others outside your team who may be using different systems for, for example, quality control, or reverse engineering. If native integration is not possible, at least ensure there is common compatibility with the file types you typically work with.

Customer support and user community

Another thing to bear in mind is how easy it is to get help should you encounter a problem. It’ll make life much easier later on if there is plenty of support and information to help you with any challenges you encounter as you get to grips with the new software.

One good way to start is to find out if the product has an active community where resources are shared. Having a wealth of support resources, including comprehensive product manuals, how-to videos, and forums where you can ask questions can make a telling contribution to how much you are able to get out of your new software, and how far the resources already available will take you.

3D scanning brings unique benefits, and adds efficiency, versatility, and quality to a variety of workflows. Rapid data capture speeds, convenience in hazardous and hard-to-reach areas, contactless data capture, high level of detail and lack of human error and omissions in measurement, and the cost and time savings that this efficiency brings.

Although professional 3D scanners can produce high-resolution 3D models with astounding accuracy, this scan data is not always immediately usable for engineers. The next step is to be able to take the models apart, analyze them, and modify them. The issue with the point clouds or mesh data that 3D scanners output is that the models are monolithic blocks – like statues or sculptures, whereas engineers need parametric models – models defined by mathematical formulae and parameters. This is where scan-to-CAD software comes in.

Scan-to-CAD software takes 3D scan data and uses it as a reference to create a CAD model that can then be easily modified. This is much more efficient, and more accurate, than starting CAD design from scratch. Highly accurate 3D scan meshes provide geometric information like dimensions and cross sections. Using 3D scan data as a reference for CAD modeling thus brings a higher level of effectiveness and accuracy to the process.

There are several scan-to-CAD solutions on the market. Here are a few of the top options:

Artec Studio

A 3D scanning and 3D data processing platform updated with improvements, new features, and new technology every year, Artec Studio simplifies and enhances your engineering processes. The software provides powerful scan-to-mesh workflow automation, an AI neural engine for enhancing data capture for even higher quality meshes, and it has the ability to handle extremely large datasets – up to 500 million polygons. Additionally, Artec Studio offers powerful photogrammetry features. You can import images and use them to generate point clouds for use in measurement-related applications, or as reference data for 3D scanning large objects and scenes.

Most notably for mechanical engineers, Artec Studio is designed to make the scan-to-CAD process as seamless as possible. You can easily convert scan data into CAD models for reverse engineering or inspection, or for use in animation and CGI. Fitting CAD primitives to 3D models and precisely positioning them is painless. The software slots seamlessly into most workflows. You can export STEP files directly to SOLIDWORKS, or complex meshes to Geomagic Design X or Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS, bringing even more flexibility and versatility into your application scenario.

Geomagic Design X

Geomagic Design X enables you to create 3D models from 3D scans. This greatly simplifies the process of reverse engineering by making it easy to create editable digital copies of real-world objects. Design X can quickly process large data sets and produce 3D models in different formats – solid, surface, and mesh. The models created in Geomagic Design X can be exported, with their full design history, to other CAD software for more complex operations.

Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS

Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS is intended to slot directly into SOLIDWORKS and bring Geomagic capabilities directly available from SOLIDWORKS. Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS helps refine the scan-to-CAD workflow and, according to the product website, brings considerable efficiency benefits, including up to 50% faster total reverse engineering workflow compared to general CAD on organic parts.

And there you have it! Ultimately, the right software for you comes down to what you need it for, what features are essential to your workflow, and what you’re willing to invest. Try these options out – we hope you find what you’re looking for, and are off to greater solutions and success!