The CAD Rating Guide: A Tool for the Evaluation of Computer-Aided Design Systems, Including FEM, GIS and Animation Systems: A COMPREVE Comparison of over 120 CAD Systems Book

What is it? A reference work for CAD systems and for the comparison of CAD systems, "The CAD Rating Guide" is unique in several ways. First, it is not a book of comparative or numerical ratings, it is a tool for you to use as a basis for forming your own evaluations. It looks at CAD systems as complex, multi-faceted creatures, each composed of the product, what it does, who else uses it, the company that makes it and their policies and stability, who the product is targeted at, and so on. The book is focused on the ways in which the CAD systems are structured. It provides insight as to the bottom-line impact of each element of the analysis and, it provides a common ground for the evaluation of a rapidly changing technology and marketplace in order to enable the comparison and discussion of systems. Intended as a tool for use when evaluating different CAD systems, the purpose of The CAD Rating Guide is to navigate the reader past the maze of statistics, benchmarks, buzzwords, and canned demonstrations to get to the heart of the matter - What difference does it make if I decide to use system A rather than system B and will it make sense if I am already using system C? Since it is the normal mode to upgrade within existing systems rather than to constantly change CAD systems, it doesn't make sense to base critical long-term decisions on factors in which the relative stature of competing systems changes so frequently. Rather, it is imperative to base those decisions on the aspects of those systems which can only change slowly over time, and to consider the impact of those fundamental, structural factors on your business. The concepts necessary to answer this question are presented in the first part of the book, the remainder of the book consists of product data and user responses, comparison tables, and categorical listings. The CAD Rating Guide contains 650 pages of background information, vendor and product data, and user comments on 120+ programs for mechanical design and drafting, mapping, three-dimensional modeling, structural analysis, NC tooling, and animation. Includes comments from individual users of the CAD systems and statements from the CAD vendors. More than 680 words in an illustrated glossary. 144 pages of tables, plus 33 pages of categorical listings. Extensive 2,900+ entry index. Includes 3-1/2" DOS diskette with the Microsoft Excel 97 files used to create the chapters in the tables section. What areas does it cover? All traditional Mechanical and AEC CAD areas plus any and all other applications, with the specific inclusion of GIS (Geographic Information Systems), FEM (Finite Element Modeling), and Animation systems where those systems can generate their own models. Systems designed solely for the purposes of printed circuit board and integrated circuit electrical design are not included. Who is it for? Potential readers include those looking for their first CAD System, existing users of CAD systems preparing to switch systems, and the vast majority of current CAD users who work with, or are planning to work with, multiple systems.