Who Put the “Dumb” in “Dumb Geometry?” (video)

I’ll tell you who put the “dumb” in “dumb geometry”: It was someone who only used history-based CAD, that’s who. It must be frustrating to lose ALL of your power to edit parts when you exchange CAD files with someone who uses a different CAD system, isn’t it? Even if another user of your software saves out in a neutral format, and you read it in, you’ve got nothing. No features. No dimensions. No intelligence. No ability to make changes. You can’t even delete individual features. And that is a painful place to be. How many lost nights and weekends, how much money has your company literally flushed because you had to recreate data transferred data, or use “hack and whack” editing to cut away and rebuild areas of parts instead of just editing them?

And the worst part is when you get files from someone who does use the same software, they just have version W, and you have version S. Ooooh, that one burns more than the rest. You can’t even share files with someone who has the same software. All they have to do is make a change and save, and instantly that data has lost all value to someone with an older version of the software.

Let me tell you a little secret. It’s not the geometry that’s dumb. And I know what you’re thinking, it’s not the user. It’s the software.

What if I told you there is a CAD package that can read translated files, and change sizes, move faces with fillets, edit fillets, move holes, delete features, change patterns and other stuff, just as if it were a native file? Its true. It’s not your geometry that’s dumb, my friend. It’s your software.

Here’s a 6 minute video that will show you how CAD software should deal with imported geometry:

6 Replies to “Who Put the “Dumb” in “Dumb Geometry?” (video)”

  1. So older versions of Solid Edge can open files made from newer versions without any export/import?

  2. great stuff.
    now what will happen to those files from SW and INVENTOR? After modifying them in the context of our assembly? Can then be saved in their native format and send back to their maker?
    Autodesk come up with new technology called AnyCAD. That do so.

    1. Ammar,

      While technically one could “roundtrip” to the donor system, this is not reality. In general roundtripping is a bad idea, no matter what system you use. If you do roundtrip, there will be no history-tree anymore — just a b-rep model. This is not solved at all by “AnyCAD” or anyone else. Keep the data flowing one way if you want to be happy. 🙂

  3. Like you say “I want as much flexibility in regards to multi-format file manipulation as possible”, this really points to using Solid Edge’s Synchronous Technology. Give it a shot, as Dan said. Come back here with more questions.

  4. @Blake Carrington –> Yes. Two tips:

    1. Try it. http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/plmapp/se/en_US/online/Shop#ACTION=trial
    If you find SolidWorks easy to learn it is because it has a very verbose lefthand pane. Solid Edge can be configured to run this way also (to accommodate those moving from Solidworks to Solid Edge). When Solid Edge starts up, choose the persona that corresponds to “New to Solid Edge” and you should get this UI.

    2. Try it some more. After your trial, just get a subscription license (at the end of your trial you will be prompted for this) – which is like $300/month and use it for a few months. This is the best way to dip your toe without diving in. Then, you can continue on subscription or go buy a perpetual license.

  5. This is incredible. I have been learning Solidworks for the past year or so and using it to draw/manipulate parts for CAM integration. This video makes me want to learn Solid Edge now. The only problem I would have is it’s ease of use to beginners. I’ve been using CAM systems for 20 years and I’ve learned how to use their horrible built in “CAD” systems. I’m dealing with more complex parts now so a stand alone CAD was essential. I picked SW because it seemed the easiest to learn without compromising features. After seeing this and reading your article about why you switched camps, I’m now considering if I should do the same. I want as much flexibility in regards to multi-format file manipulation as possible. Any advice, tips? TIA

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