[FRC BLOG] 2015 CAD Software Tools

[Joe G.]

2015 CAD Software Tools

Blog Date:
Tuesday, November 4, 2014 - 13:22

Today’s guest blog post comes from the Kit of Parts Team:

Some pieces of the Kit of Parts are kept under lock-and-key until Kickoff (that’s why we call it the Kickoff Kit). FIRST Choice opens on November 25.

But it doesn’t make sense to hold off on all software tools until Kickoff. In fact, it’d be better if you could get them downloaded now so you can start learning them and make sure you’re ready to go at Kickoff!

We are excited to announce that the following Suppliers have donated software tools to each team as part of the 2015 Virtual Kit: PTC, Autodesk, SolidWorks, Altium, GrabCAD, GitHub, and Tableau. Details on how to get started with each of these tools is available at the Kit of Parts website.

To be clear, this is not a release of the robot programming environments. The FRC specific 2015 updates for those will be made available with the rest of the Kickoff Kit.

Thanks to all of our Suppliers for helping make this year’s Kit of Parts bigger and better than ever.

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-2015-CAD-Software-Tools

Extremely excited to see GrabCAD on board. If you haven't already I would definitely check it out, GrabCAD Workbench is a fantastic piece of software for CAD file management. Serves a similar function to Git, but targeted specifically at CAD, not tied to any one format, and adds a host of really nifty web integration and collaboration tools.

[Madison]

The Solidworks document doesn't contain a link to the application we've used in the past. I'm presuming that the process for requesting licenses hasn't changed, but omitting that link is, perhaps, a curious oversight.

[cadandcookies]

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-2015-CAD-Software-Tools

Extremely excited to see GrabCAD on board. If you haven't already I would definitely check it out, GrabCAD Workbench is a fantastic piece of software for CAD file management. Serves a similar function to Git, but targeted specifically at CAD, not tied to any one format, and adds a host of really nifty web integration and collaboration tools.

I'm really excited about GrabCAD being on board as well-- I haven't had a chance to use Workbench myself, but everything I've seen of it looks much more intuitive that alternative (especially coming from PTC Windchill, which, though I love it dearly, is much better suited for industry than team use).

[Tungrus]

The Solidworks document doesn't contain a link to the application we've used in the past. I'm presuming that the process for requesting licenses hasn't changed, but omitting that link is, perhaps, a curious oversight.

Yes, SolidWorks is available for FRC teams, as usual. Visit their website or link:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=91132550276

[cad321]

Extremely excited to see GrabCAD on board. If you haven't already I would definitely check it out, GrabCAD Workbench is a fantastic piece of software for CAD file management. Serves a similar function to Git, but targeted specifically at CAD, not tied to any one format, and adds a host of really nifty web integration and collaboration tools.

I too am quite glad to see them on board. One really cool thing is that with the use of their app, I can view my cad models on my phone and tablet now.

[Knufire]

The Solidworks document doesn't contain a link to the application we've used in the past. I'm presuming that the process for requesting licenses hasn't changed, but omitting that link is, perhaps, a curious oversight.

5188 has already received Solidworks licenses for the upcoming season through the typical link.

[safiq10]

I've started to play around with workbench and I do have to say I am quite liking it! Very intuatitve and now we can keep everything in one place.

[ehochstein]

Applied for GrabCAD licenses today! Haven't received any key codes yet but I am excited!

I'm really excited about GrabCAD being on board as well-- I haven't had a chance to use Workbench myself, but everything I've seen of it looks much more intuitive that alternative (especially coming from PTC Windchill, which, though I love it dearly, is much better suited for industry than team use).

GrabCAD has so many uses for so many different projects...

[AllenGregoryIV]

We have been looking at setting up PDM for a little while, but now with the GrabCAD sponsorship we will be trying out workbench. Very excited to see them added to the list of sponsors.

Thank you to all the sponsors that provide software packages to students and teams, it's a huge help.

[Mk.32]

Just got our grab cad licenses, should be fun getting it setup and tested with the team.

[mplanchard]

Go to www.solidworks.com/first. Click apply for team sponsorship.

Also download 2014 model files to practice.

[Zealii]

I have never used grabcad workbench before and had a question. Does workbench work with Autodesk Inventor? On the website it only mentions solidworks.

[Joe G.]

I have never used grabcad workbench before and had a question. Does workbench work with Autodesk Inventor? On the website it only mentions solidworks.

Inventor up through 2014 is supported.

[JoshPFalk]

I have never used grabcad workbench before and had a question. Does workbench work with Autodesk Inventor? On the website it only mentions solidworks.

Yes, 2590 used GrabCAD Workbench with Inventor throughout the 2014 season.

[peronis]

sent an email to sales@grabcad.com over a week ago and no response about getting the licenses. Anyone else run into this problem?

[highlander]

Nope. Sent them an email, took a couple days to reply. Great product, working really well for the team. Far superior to any other pdm solution we worked with.