can spaceclaim from our case?

[Sagaris]

Good morning to all,
As I mentioned previously in a post of another forum section, in the company we are evaluating the purchase of a software cad, and among the options had come out spaceclaim of which we already have a contact with the dealer, although for now nothing has been decided. because in this forum you talk enough I wanted to ask for some information about it. we produce shower cabins, so the complexity of the components is not high, let's say that those with particular surfaces are the small plastic components, but on this I have seen several videos and it seems to me that spaceclaim has no difficulty in working on it. Among my questions there are the assemblies, of which I have not understood how the management in spaceclaim happens, as we have several components and should reorganize to ok the corporate library, I would like to take advantage of the change cad to do this too.
other need is to manage the instruction files, and since changes on the components often occur, it would be appropriate that the software used for this purpose maintain links with 3d files generated by spaceclaim, so that it should not be slammed like now in the steps between indesign/illustrator; you really miss too much time even for small things.. the retailer had mentioned to publisher 3d; Can anyone give me any opinion on this? or even advice on other applications that can generate pdf for assembly of products (possibly economical).
in general I opened this thread to evaluate if spaceclaim can do to our case as its price, which compared to other products is more accessible; I hope someone can help me, while I thank the users in advance and the forum where there are often useful information

 

[Andrea - Overcam]

spaceclaim, as mentioned several times and in my opinion, is suitable for different uses: rapid prototyping, simple projects, third-party accounts, import/export components, need a cad with limited budget. with this I do not want to say that sc does not give the possibility to design anything, but that, objectively, there are things that do better than others and things that do, even if there are more suitable software.

for the demands you made I would say that sc is not suitable, but adaptable. price and simplicity are definitely the most interesting aspects for you.

components: no problem on components, on the contrary, sc handles assemblies and individual parts in a mixed way, so it will be easier for you to adapt the components to the assembly during the design phase (1 point in favor of sc), as for the library you can split everything into folders and individual files, will create a preview icon (see the image of the piece in explores windows resources) and a 3primad preview (compatible with the windows). to insert a piece you will just drag it into sc (other point for sc). other software, however, make associations like hole-vite-bullone that would save you at least 10 seconds per minuteria (1 point in less per sc).

for the assembly instructions there are definitely software that make 3d videos (like what you indicated me)... but I don't think that's what you're looking for. On the contrary, the 2d instructions can also create them with sc, if you know what is a table setting you might want to create a series of pages with various details, symbols, detailed views, you can insert images inside, fields like page number, logos... I think you can adapt it and avoid catching the various 3d views to paste on indesign. this for the sole purpose of avoiding having to remake much of the work when changing a screw and its hole.. .
Other cads definitely have something specific to do assembly manuals, with sc you can do it by adapting the table setting (1 point less for sc).

spaceclaim offers a rendering software (basic version) of excellent level for free (keyshot). This is very important for you! (1 extra point for sc)

However, consider that normally all you need (e.g. integrated pdm, assembly instructions module, possible renderings of good level) can already be within more expensive software, or not (even in part) and therefore can make the price rise if they are optional. In short, you would need a budget of at least 10,000 euros according to me, but if you want to stay below less than half then sc is definitely a valid solution.

I hope I've been helpful.

 

[Sagaris]

Thank you so much for the exhausting answer! Among other things, I am pleased that you have responded; I have read several of your posts in the forum, and I find that "the setting" you have in responding is correct, in the sense that around there are people who, in order to make you "digest" your software only show positive sides, instead I noticed that in some threads you wrote that sc was not suitable for certain situations or in any case you have illustrated merits and faults of the case.
said this, for assembly instructions I could adopt your suggestion since sc accepts img, logos or other in drawing; Of course, with indesign currently go out belline things aesthetically, but then the print is in b/n and in a5 format therefore does not make sense, not to mention the time lost if the product is modified. .
As for rendering, the dealer had already mentioned keyshots, and you can do very nice things, even if being a 3ds user (not for this company) I think keyshot is more suitable for design for how it is structured, and in a certain way it can return to our industry, so well come sc/keyshot collaboration.
As for the distinct, spaceclaim manages them similarly to the other cad? consider that I have present the management in caia v5; Maybe if you have a video post the link ^^^
However, I believe that I will return the retailer next month (now we are taken with backward jobs) to give me a demo

 

[Andrea - Overcam]

Thank you sagaris,
my "setting" perhaps penalizes some sale, but in the long run rewards us with the trust of loyal buyers who maybe buy more than one software. On the other hand, when my role is as a buyer, I don't like sellers who offer you a profit by selling it to suit the off-road.

answering your question about the difference: I don't know how to handle catia, but I'll explain how it does and I'll also link you to a video where you see something.

sc allows to create an automatic table (different) of a model in 3 ways: only main parts (motor, frame, ...), subcomponents (pistons, valves, ...) or with return (motor-valves,pistons,... frame-...). It is not possible to achieve a separate base of 3 or more levels (but possibly a table of the subcomponent would be able to descend on an even lower level).
you can put a number of extra columns like weight or material (always connected with drawing in real time). the number of items is taken according to the number of copies, and the structure according to the subdivision in components and subcomponents.

did you have any particular need or curiosity about it?

here at the end of the film see something about explosive view and bom:https://youtu.be/ecm2vyshtxc

 

[Sagaris]

Good morning andrea,
it seems quite clear to me the management of the distinct given the simplicity of use (at least so it seems); just to understand the management in spaceclaim (maybe banal question), when in the tree I see a solid (what it displays in green) would be the consideration of the part in other cad? and the component would be the match? Maybe they have another sense, but it's to understand the management logic.
Instead, with regard to the columns of the distinct, I am well aware that with 4/5 columns should return everything that interests us, but in case you can customize with manual insertions? so much to know since we have not had this need so far.
once placed the archive cad probably file names will be those that are currently present in the management, can you give a description besides the file name when creating a component/part?
I'm taking advantage of you, because some things I might be able to understand them alone when I try the demo, but I thank you in advance for the availability

 

[The_Matrix]

the simplicity of what you do surely can address you on sc.
The only limit I see is that being a pure contextual, you cannot automate design in any way through parametric templates.
If however this is not for you a problem, go serene... is a great software, inexpensive, stable and simple to learn.

 

[Andrea - Overcam]

thanks to you for the interest of sagaris.
the management of the tree is particular in sc. resembles the disk structure, folder, subfolder, file. a file can be everything: part, assembly, hairstyle of scattered elements. there is no distinction between part modeling and assembly as in other cad.
a file can be composed of only one solid (as if it were a part), a set of solids, surfaces, curves, scatters or placed in folders and subfolders (assembly components). inside an assembly there can also be subcomponents linked (external files). In fact, an assembly could contain only links to the various files (assembly file + n external files), or be made up of only 1 file with all internal components (only larger file).

columns can also be added and hand-written, no problem.

inside the file you can fill out fields (description, author, customized) so please the file name constraint.
- - - updated - - - -

the simplicity of what you do surely can address you on sc.
The only limit I see is that being a pure contextual, you cannot automate design in any way through parametric templates.

What do you mean, matrix? Can you explain it better?

 

[The_Matrix]

thanks to you for the interest of sagaris.
the management of the tree is particular in sc. resembles the disk structure, folder, subfolder, file. a file can be everything: part, assembly, hairstyle of scattered elements. there is no distinction between part modeling and assembly as in other cad.a file can be composed of only one solid (as if it were a part), a set of solids, surfaces, curves, scatters or placed in folders and subfolders (assembly components). inside an assembly there can also be subcomponents linked (external files). In fact, an assembly could contain only links to the various files (assembly file + n external files), or be made up of only 1 file with all internal components (only larger file).

columns can also be added and hand-written, no problem.

inside the file you can fill out fields (description, author, customized) so please the file name constraint.
- - - updated - - - -What do you mean, matrix? Can you explain it better?

only for your information, even nx has no distinction between the parts files, assembly and 2d.

I meant that if you wanted to make a parametric template of its product with features related to each other, maybe connected to a sheet excel of requirements, etc... you can not do it because not having sc the features, lacks the technological base to have these links that, yes, are perhaps complex to manage, but they also give many advantages if you can use them.
is a trade-off between power and simplicity.

 

[Sagaris]

thank you so much for the_matrix; In fact the orientation on spaceclaim had been recommended precisely because we produce non-complex products, most components are simple extrusions of profiles and the most complex pieces (compared to the rest of our production) are the plastic ones. the fact that you can save a few thousand euros at the current state of the economy is good.. with this I do not want to say that it must always be done so, because by my nature usually oversize the things that I have to buy even if then I do not use them 100% of their possibilities. with this I just wanted to say that we must always evaluate the pros and cons of every purchase, and not always think about the savings.
our archive was created all through catia v5 because the owner of the licenses is an external person, but now we have to implement software within the company to better manage the thing.
we say that through catia you can create parameters such that we have proved useful, e.g. to create a 120cm cabin starting from that from 80 acting simply on some parameters, but they will no longer be necessary once set up the whole archive, so it is acceptable not to have this feature available anymore.
I have seen that regarding the import of other sc formats has no problems in general online, this is a useful feature because it often happens that from the outside we get other type files, very often dwg files.

for external links is a feature that I think is necessary. . Unfortunately, we often see that a profile is modified, and this involves updating different products in archives, drawings and more. for example a cabin mount is common to at least 10 or more other cabins. . As you confirm that there are no problems (in a video they uploaded it via drag and drop), I can go safe as regards this. the particular management of the tree I will have to verify it in person when I try the demo because so to the eye it is difficult to understand well.. more than anything like this impacts on the distinct; some evidence of person will clarify my ideas better

ps: in some videos I also saw on sc used the excel to change the component, but maybe it was an external plugin? However it is not a feature of our interest currently.

 

[Andrea - Overcam]

only for your information, even nx has no distinction between the parts files, assembly and 2d.
I meant that if you wanted to make a parametric template of its product with features related to each other, maybe connected to a sheet excel of requirements, etc... you can not do it because not having sc the features, lacks the technological base to have these links that, yes, are perhaps complex to manage, but they also give many advantages if you can use them.
is a trade-off between power and simplicity.

Well, I agree.

 

[Andrea - Overcam]

in some videos I also saw on sc used the excel to change the component, but maybe it was an external plugin? However it is not a feature of our interest currently.

I don't know if it's an external component, I have it, but I don't know if it's part of one of the additional packages I have. I should check.
cmq works with groups, in practice after creating a set or a particular you can create a set of parameters size (groups), editable even in excel (or with the group panel). It is useful if, once you create the model, it is another to choose the size and deliver it, you just have to link the excel file and the game is done.

 

[Sagaris]

it is not a problem since we have not used the excel to update the models; in caia I used the parameters inserted in the main product that vehiculated everything, but as mentioned, once arranged the whole archive we can do without it; However there is to say that they are comfortable in some situations.
I wanted to ask another question about the assembly instructions by turning the problem through drawing composed of several sheets; Does explosive views even partial or otherwise "manipulated" manually manage with efficiency in the drawing sheet? (I think he's named so in sc). Perhaps it is banal as a question, but at least I understand better the features and I will evaluate whether or not a software dedicated to this purpose is necessary.

ps: today I have retattato the dealer, so I assume that we will take the road to sc save unexpected.

 

[Andrea - Overcam]

I wanted to ask another question about the assembly instructions by turning the problem through drawing composed of several sheets; Does explosive views even partial or otherwise "manipulated" manually manage with efficiency in the drawing sheet? (I think he's named so in sc). Perhaps it is banal as a question, but at least I understand better the features and I will evaluate whether or not a software dedicated to this purpose is necessary.

you can insert in any sheet a model already open in spaceclaim. if you open the "car" file, and then open a "motor" component you can make the table of the car and then (in another sheet or in the same) enter the engine (as partial view) that you can easily explode. However in every view you can hide some components: make the table of the car and in a view hide the frame for example.

 

[Sagaris]

perfect, all very clear
I have resumed contacts with the dealer and today or tomorrow we will agree to the demo/purchase.
I'll let you know! Meanwhile I thank all the users who have intervened to help me.

 

[Expace Italia]

Good morning.
I write below with the intention of giving a purely technical help to his requests.

Axial management
spaceclaim works both with internal and external cups. in practice works with both referential files (like all classic 3d cads) and not. this possibility of mixing the two modes is extremely comfortable in the design phase new species when you are not studying the product.
the component library in any way can be built as with any other 3d cad and obviously the effectiveness of the library improves if managed with the pdm.
on the other hand, the instructions allow me to advise you to evaluate a vertical software of 3d illustrations that reads the maths cad and generates the images and maybe even the ikea style instructions.
the cad in general does not cover all the needs of this activity, then wanting it is true that you can adapt it to use, but not born to do that.

I hope I was useful.

Mar

 

[Sagaris]

Thank you so much for the info! However, I'm just in touch with you about the software, so we'd probably have a way to get to know each other since there was paschqua in the middle, we decided to talk about it immediately after, so just here in the company we can arrange we will contact you to discuss the thing.