3D cad for piping and systems recommendation

[edssupp]

Hi everyone, as the title says, I am looking for a 3D cad to help visualise designs in piping systems and cut down errors.

As a short background, I work in a small company which occasionally designs industrial gas pipings for pneumatic systems, gas delivery systems (to a lab, workshop, etc), and basically assemblies of gas systems. As we only do small scale projects so far, I have only ever used 2D cad, and have absolutely 0 experience with 3D cad (aside from sketchup, but it's more of a sketching and layout tool anyway).

I've done some googling, and I'm impressed with Solidworks' demo for oil and gas LINK. However, SWX is expensive, and being in a developing country doesn't help much with my budget. I'm also looking at AVICAD with the Mech-Q plugin, but I haven't been able to find any reviews or anything.

So does anyone have any experience with the AVICAD? I'm looking for more info before I sink my time to learning it. Or do you guys have other recommendations for it?

 

[Danger]

I don't know about the others. I bought TurboCad because it costs about $35. Apparently it will do just about anything that any other program will, but I'm having a hell of a time learning the 3D aspects of it. That's because of my own limitations, though, not those of the software.

 

[edssupp]

Thanks for the reply. How did you get Turbocad for $35? The cheapest option they have right now is the 2D only, and it's at $150?

 

[Danger]

I might be confused about the price. It originally got my attention because it was $35, but that might have been the 2D version. The 3D might have been $65; I can't really remember. Anyhow, it was on eBay from a certified vendor. (ie: it's under warrantee and I get free tech support.)

 

[alphy]

Hello,

I would recommend exploring other options before investing in a costly software like Solidworks. There are several 3D CAD programs available that are specifically designed for piping and system design. Some popular options include AutoCAD Plant 3D, Bentley AutoPIPE, and Intergraph CADWorx. These programs offer specialized tools and features for creating detailed and accurate designs for piping systems.

In addition, I would suggest reaching out to other professionals in your industry and asking for their recommendations or experiences with different 3D CAD programs. This can give you a better understanding of which software may be the best fit for your specific needs and budget.

It is also important to consider the learning curve and training resources available for each program. As a small company, it may be beneficial to choose a software that is more user-friendly and has readily available tutorials and support.

In terms of AVICAD, I cannot provide a personal recommendation as I have not used it myself. However, I would suggest researching online for reviews and reaching out to the company for a demo or trial version to test it out before committing to it.

Overall, my recommendation would be to carefully evaluate your options and consider your specific needs and budget before investing in a 3D CAD program for piping and system design. Best of luck in your search.