Solid Modeling Software

Updated 6th March 08 because the price of CADMAI has increased for the new version 3.

FEMdesigner works best via it's import iges command. The other model creation methods are a little out of date by now, though perhaps still ok for teaching purposes. So the next question you may ask is which solid modeler should I use? My own criterion is basically "power without the price" (as the old Atari slogan went). And the one I've been using for day to day work on prototypes is CADMAI which costs a very reasonable 499 euros which (so far) includes all upgrades and email user support. It is a very easy program to use. In fact I don't think I've needed to read the manual yet. My one regret is that the iges models produced from it don't seem to be very compatible with FEMdesigner. However very soon we will have fully integrated FEMdesigner with CADMAI so there will be no need for switching programs, the total package price will be around the same because CADMAI already has a FEM mesher. However I've discovered a better alternative called "Moment of Inspiration" or MOI for short, which has the most fantastic user interface and is even easier to use. Better still, the iges models import perfectly. Even better still it is only 138 euros which is well within anyones budget. Lastly there is the free solid modeler called Alibre Xpress, which I haven't used myself yet but one of my users reports that it's iges output works well with FEMdesigner. Of course if you have the thinkdesign software already then the Stressout plugin is clearly the way to go, since it is fully integrated into your thinkdesign environment.

Once you have your solid model tool you really won't want to do FE modeling any other way. Now assume you have tested your part in FEMdesigner and you want to alter a fillet or change a dimension then you just make the changes and re-import the model. If the changes haven't been too drastic then your old loads and restraints will still be valid for the new shape.

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