Best CAD program that leverages the web?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I'd like to start learning a 3D CAD program that:

1. already has a huge online library of standard parts

2. has a cloud-based viewing and sharing platform where the community can share their designs

3. has the ability to generate a Bill of Materials and can calculate the total cost in parts of an assembly

I haven't really delved deeply in Sketchup but it seems like it has #1 and #2 pretty well figured out. What about #3?

I've got a little bit of experience with Solidworks. I know that SW has #3, but what about #1 and #2?

Moved from OT.
admin allisolm

 

[RGUN]

In reference to point 1, solid works has a built in standard library reference through 3D content central, you should have access to this from within solid works.

Regarding sharing, can you elaborate on your intentions? Are you hoping to share with outside users? Solid works has viewers available to allow people without solid works to view documents. You can also export as 3D PDF.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

In reference to point 1, solid works has a built in standard library reference through 3D content central, you should have access to this from within solid works.

Regarding sharing, can you elaborate on your intentions? Are you hoping to share with outside users? Solid works has viewers available to allow people without solid works to view documents. You can also export as 3D PDF.

For example, Sketchup has 3D Warehouse:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=en

It has hundreds of models that other people have chosen to share. In fact, I can download their models and use them for my own purposes. I can also share my models. A built-in browser-based viewer is also included for those without Sketchup. Does Solidworks have something like this for sharing with outside users and using their models as well?

3D Warehouse however doesn't seem to have a library of standard parts. You can definitely find models of standard parts, but they appear to be uploaded by random people so I'm not sure how accurate they are.

 

[RGUN]

For example, Sketchup has 3D Warehouse:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=en

It has hundreds of models that other people have chosen to share. In fact, I can download their models and use them for my own purposes. I can also share my models. A built-in browser-based viewer is also included for those without Sketchup. Does Solidworks have something like this for sharing with outside users and using their models as well?

3D Warehouse however doesn't seem to have a library of standard parts. You can definitely find models of standard parts, but they appear to be uploaded by random people so I'm not sure how accurate they are.

I think the built in 3D content central in solid works is exactly what you want. You can download standard parts, manufacturer parts, assemblies, and if you turn on user submitted, you can also share your content and view others content.

 

[RLGL]

3D Warehouse however doesn't seem to have a library of standard parts

Try the SU plug in from the Engineering Toolbox: http://sketchup.engineeringtoolbox.com/