It was not long ago that Solid Edge was the best MCAD system you never heard of. With the release of Synchronous Technology, the Solid Edge name has been more common in the mainstream and I think it's time for them to relinquish that title to another great-but-lesser-known MCAD solution provider, IronCAD.
Having played around with IronCAD, I can attest that it is indeed a powerful design tool. I think the interface is cumbersome and because of that the software is difficult to use. A high level of proficiency is required to adequately utilize IronCAD to its greatest potential. Watching the expert users, though, and I have witnessed amazing techniques not available in other MCAD tools.
In November, IronCAD released version 2014 of its Design Collaboration Suite (DCS). The new release focuses on filling in gaps by integrating with common third party providers. (Nice to see that those providers see the potential in IronCAD, too.) It also sports a series of productivity enhancements:
- Intelligent Editing of Multiple Part Features.
- Simple Replication of Parts/Assemblies.
- Behavior Driven Activation of Features.
- Automatic Constraint Connections on Drop.
- Intelligent Sizing Handles.
- Re-engineer with Ease from Existing Geometry Data Including Point Cloud Data.
I would like to see a refreshed user interface so these productivity enhancements are closer to the surface, but I guess I'll have to wait for another release. None the less, IronCAD is still worth a trial if you are in the market for an MCAD solution. Personally, I see IronCAD filling the role as one of the best design tools for the semi-custom automated machine industry. When you look at all the applications within the Design Suite: Compose, Inovate, Draft, and the modeling strategy of IronCAD itself, I think you will come to the same conclusion. Maybe one day the translators will be included and not an extra cost. Who still charges extra for translators?