Re: [DFTF] The Question of CAD
 

If you use proE at work, I'm sure you can get past the learning curve with them.

Once students get immersed in the program their using, the location of tools, etc... really becomes a minor issue.

It's not like you're teaching them a CAD program that they must commit to for their entire lives.

Without the monetary incentive, I'd go SW (it's free, and just as easy to get as inventor); but money talks, and I'd go ProE if they sponsor.

Re: [DFTF] The Question of CAD
 

Joe, the PTC money can come by using other software, as well. Windchill and MathCAD both count. We used MathCAD for some autonomous development last year and received the PTC grant.

Re: [DFTF] The Question of CAD
 

Applying now, that's a great deal!

Re: [DFTF] The Question of CAD
 

Not really much of an "opinion" to state here, but here is Team 610's current software line-up with respect to our complete workflow (not just CAD):

- Google Apps for:

- Gmail: student, teacher + mentor e-mail addresses
- Calendar: shared calendar with meetings, supervision schedule, events
- Zoho Project: project management, task lists, wiki
- Groups: e-mail lists for entire team, mentors, student executive
- Docs: Team lists, project notes, budgets, inventories, "to-buy" lists
- Code: Code version control w/ SVN and integrate NetBeans client

- SolidWorks for CAD
- VisualMill Plug-in for Solidworks (to drive our CNC Router)
- Windows-based file shares for document storage on school intranet

- Remote access to shares using HTTP Commander

I've had a chance to try Inventor, PTC WildFire + WindChill, and various other software combinations over the past few years. This is the best I've managed to come up with so far, and so far I've been very happy with it.

Re: [DFTF] The Question of CAD
 

Hi Joe

Thank you for being a FIRST mentor. For SolidWorks sponsorship go to www.solidworks.com/SponsoredDesignContest

Also, you are a great SolidWorks customer and since we just moved our corporate headquarters to Waltham, if you want a crash rush - up to speed course, I am willing to come visit you. Just send me a private message to arrange a time. Also, iRobot helped me out when I was teaching design camp at Umass Lowell. Your engineers were very inspiring to my young students. Marie

Re: [DFTF] The Question of CAD
 

It is blocked at our school. We were told to try to use Live Mesh to fit our needs. It kind of worked but didn't give the same seamless operation as does Dropbox. We tried Live Mesh for a while but after concluding that it was more of a hindrance than a help we convinced the IT department to allow us access to an unrestricted internet drop so we can use Dropbox. However, we now have to employ our own safeguard routines (AVG, account access, etc) to prevent unauthorized/inappropriate usage.