Which 3D Design Software should you use?

A common question for people starting with 3D design is which software they should use. Should one use Fusion 360, SOLIDWORKS, Autodesk Inventor, CATIA, Revit, or 3DS Max? In this video, Tayseer Almattar will try to help you answer this question.
If you are looking to learn SOLIDWORKS, check out our online school here: school.TforDesign.com/
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Content of the video:
- 0:00 What are we talking about - Parametric software
- 0:43 Popular parametric software
- 1:16 Fusion 360
- 2:04 SOLIDWORKS and Inventor
- 3:01 CATIA
- 3:41 Non-parametric software, e.g. Revit, 3DS MAX
- 4:29 Which software should you use?

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

At the end of the day, the best 3D design software is the one you can use! So roll up your sleeves and get in there!

[@robrift]

The only thing I would have to say is pick one that you like but learn them all because companies keep switching through so make yourself an asset

[@tamerewimer6483]

Thank you, looking forward to hear your opinion regarding steel structure detailing software.

[@blackbear92201]

Very helpful video. just the overview I was looking for. thanks for posting! :D

[@az33135]

Really thanks explaining this to me, i was studying and watching tuts, i just went to youtube and have this same question. Thanks! and Blessings

[@randatatang9222]

I'm a certified solidworks professional and I love the software because many companies use it for their solid modelling works and it's hard to not find work if that's the only software you know. They also have a wealth of online tutorials and one of the best structured certification exams.

[@6My6sT6]

In order to be a SW associate or a professional what mechanical engineering concepts and topics should you know? Is trigonometry, engg drawings/graphics and GDT more than enough?

[@seimela]

I love solidworks Electrical ❤

[@alexj8731]

Thanks for easy explanation!

[@MondoLeStraka]

Which software would be used for passenger airbag design? Say the gas will be in canisters. There are sensors to measure the height, weight, and position of the occupant. TIA.

[@robertkeville6230]

I’ve been using Ashlar Cobalt for years and love it. Unfortunately they haven’t migrated to 64 bit yet.

[@shivamdoshi9805]

Sir you taught me on Internshala. Thank you very much. Gratefull

[@cgomehgaming2587]

Same here

[@womacko]

Solid work! ;) Thanks for this overview!

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

You are very welcome! Let us know if there is anything else we can help explain :D

[@vource2670]

Inventor is better

[@changmaibrotherscreations4519]

You are my guide in solid works training in internshala..sir😊

[@kenconcepts]

I use solidworks for product design and learning Autodesk Alias + speedform for transportation design

[@jonathanshin7558]

Ive been doing the same and only recently started learning alias to better my surfacing and for transportation desing. I wanted to ask you or other people in the industry. Can you surface a product in alias and bring it into solidworks for internals? I havent explored going back and forth solidworks and alias

[@rayhanpermit]

I am using architectural 3d modelling and rendering with 3ds max over 10+yrs.Now I like to learn product modelling and visualization.Could you please help?

[@eliezerpaner6666]

thank you. But what is your opinion regarding Solidedge?

[@MT.2012]

Thank you for this great video. I would like to know which software you recommend for simulation of soft robotics (generally non-rigid parts). I tried SolidWorks, but it struggles and many times the simulation fails, even though I selected non-linear with the large displacement (strain) option box checked.

[@mokramboulghobra1223]

I would recommend Ansys

[@eee12dharrunsingh.m70]

about siemens solid edge, is it worthy to compare and use with respect to the software you have mentioned?

[@thiruwatson203]

Hi there, as a design professional I'll say solidedge got some potenstial itself. Unlike other 3D modeling softwares it as a specific interface called synchronus hich enables users to quickly enhance the models created. FYI im also using solidworks. Both are cool in their onway...

[@PM-dz9vr]

Hi, thank you for your explanation on these softwares. I am wondering what view do you hold on Ansys? since Ansys has more complex simulation tool package, more sophisticated, and of course more expensive. But how well does it really compete with 360 fusion and Dassualt? Thank you

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

When it comes to simulations, ANSYS has much more fame than the other software you mentioned. Some organizations would use Ansys for simulations in addition to others for 3D design software (if they can afford both). However, other software like from Dassault (e.g. Solidworks) had been growing their simulation capabilities for a while too, so they are catching up. Eventually, it ends up to the person/organization investigating the different tools and pick what's best. Does this help?

[@PM-dz9vr]

@@Tfordesign_innovate Thanks for the relpy. It helps.

[@nounonarabara5702]

a lot of thanks .... witch software should be used for an aluminum design (doors and windows with aluminum profile) ....Revit or 3ds max or fusion 360 or other ....thanks again

[@omegadeepblue1407]

Revit is for Architecture 3Ds Max is for 3D Animation Fusion 360 suits better for the thing you want, however there are more powerful softwares like SolidWorks.

[@te74bharshyeola80]

Which will the best solidworks or simens nx ?

[@Abduldoctor]

I use Ansys DesignModeler, it's pretty easy to do but hardware is always a headache... I am still trying SimScale (cloud based) as a solver, they have a CAD mode but I don't know how good it is.

[@mhmudashrf5946]

Seimens unigraphs NX in the same level of catia

[@dakshinaraj3826]

Im an Biomedical Engineering... Which is most useful for my field...?

[@himanshu9316]

Is solid works and simen nx good for Indian market? To have a wealthy job in engineering sector.

[@saimrehan2309]

Hello everyone, i need a a little guidance, i am a product designer and currently doing masters with the the project on human generated kinetic energy harvesting products. i need to find that which software can help me illustrate the impact of human energy harvesting. like how much energy could be generated by walking and running? Please if someone can guide me.

[@mironshohahtamov1760]

how much time does fusion 360 take for complete learn

[@midhuntm7403]

As a beginner to 3d modeling start learning with fusion 360 is a good option? Or any other software?

[@xfndzx1]

Yes, it is great for beginners

[@omegadeepblue1407]

Is the most used by beginners.

[@jaimeduncan6167]

This is a very basic intro, and I believe that is by design. Many key factors as collaborative design , the ability to apply knowledge base and business rules were not mention. That kind of stuff us key with a company desired to go with Catia or with NX. Once your big clients are using one of those you need something that properly integrates with them like Creo.

[@shameem4715]

'HVAC simulation using solidworks' , is it possible? I mean ,is it comman using solidworks for HVAC design and simulation?

[@radusirbu4214]

Due to high the high licensing cost of dedicated FEA software (Abaqus , Ansys etc.) some companies use the FEA capabilities of their CAD software to perform such tasks. So to answer your question briefly. In small companies iti is possible in the big corporations it’s almost never the case.

[@ov3753]

Nothing said about Siemens NX direct competitor of Catia. Nothing said about SolidEdge from Siemens direct competitor of Solidworks and Inventor

[@g1gearup]

So...if i need to choose between inventor solidworks or solidedge for mechanical purposes do i only look at the price? I'm not a student anymore and i'm really capable in Inventor....what do you think?

[@DIY_Foodie]

inventor

[@DIY_Foodie]

inventor

[@DESIGNSBYALICIA]

As an interior designer I'm looking for better software for my Rendering. I have formal training in Revit but I was looking into 3DS max. Which would you recommend?

[@user-yx2nd7no5k]

Solid works for fast renders, Blender for realistic materials and good scenes + Twinmotion for renders.

[@fadybenmoussa2114]

thank you sir

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

You are very welcome! Don't forget to check out our school if you want to learn SOLIDWORKS ;) school.tfordesign.com/

[@davidprock904]

What if I'm to become the next "Tony Stark" ? I'm very inventive, but can never make anything, so whats my best software all in one solution? Also I want to design my own computer architecture, got most of the logic down on paper, but not in regards to circuits.

[@nguyenductai6343]

thanks

[@Ram-ql1nv]

And sketchup? Where does that come in?

[@wattsr5922]

I am looking for software to do 2 d work on a Mac. I used to teach cad with Autocad LT 98, and my senior students had Autocad, both the mech. and arch. desktop. Can you recommend the closest to Autocad Lt that is not so expensive? thanks

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

We are not familiar with Macs as we don't use them in-house. However, you can search for cloud-based web applications to be safe. Onshape is a growing 3D Software from that category. Other software like SOLIDWORKS, you can operate on a mac using a 'parallel PC' (or virtual desktop). Many software would have different licensing, some can be very affordable if you are not intending them for commercial purposes. I hope this helps a bit.

[@wattsr5922]

@@Tfordesign_innovate thanks for your response. I checked it out.

[@swarajsolanke4819]

Sir which software would you suggest me creo vs solid work . Because I have downloaded creo paramatric on pc . Which software interface is Better to lern easy and fast . Let me know what is the similar ty both have.

[@PTC_Creo]

Hi Swaraj, How has Creo Parametric treated you over the past couple of months?

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

Hey Creo, what's up?

[@PTC_Creo]

@@Tfordesign_innovate Well, the Creo marketing group just had a holiday party today, and we're looking forward to bringing Creo 9 in 2022.

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

@@PTC_Creo That's sad! We did not get an invite 😿. No hard feeling though, we still love you.

[@user-wn1hk5fj7g]

What about of Creo and NX?

[@PLM_Bulgaria]

Same level as CATIA

[@shankarp2843]

HI there, which software is better for designing Toys?

[@pspmaster510]

fusion 360, it's also free to try out.

[@solok4150]

Tinkercad is best

[@pustakarileks7404]

Blender

[@omegadeepblue1407]

For a hobby: Fusion 360 For a job: SolidWorks Creo NX

[@pokednaful]

@@omegadeepblue1407 how about inventor?

[@3Dgamespot]

Max is different it does all of it video game animation architecture more and more

[@chambrolukamesh3178]

hey I've been using Catia v5R20 software for 1 year it is not very complicated, I find it very easy to use the interface of the software is friendly, the best thing is that you can design a very complicated figure and modify it in 3-dimensional view and also there are so many things hidden in there which I didn't explore like stress analysis and many more.......🙃🙃

[@astafzciba]

In my undergrad university, we only learned CATIA. now, everywhere I go except automotive and aerospace companies, I find myself like an alien.

[@mathew-street]

It's because CATIA costs too much for mid and small companies.

[@zet0korp]

Well, I think you could learn Solidworks in less than an hour then. Solidworks is widely used and very user friendly. The interface is clean and the workflow is straightforward. It's genius at making the small abstractions you want in a 3D cad software (eg. you set your preference for units once and you don't have to specify it anymore, it understands you'll be using it as your main inputs. Whereas other softwares will force you to input it. Also, it understands that when you input a " ," or a "," you want to write a decimal eitherway... Solid edge will force you to use a comma, making it fucking cumbersome when you use the numeric keypad to do your inputs on an european keyboard... ) Then, Inventor from Autodesk is basicly a copycat of Solidworks, but with less powerful/mind reading functions. Sometimes, it just won't do simple things and you'll pull you hair to understand why until you decide to go another route. I recently changed job and now I have to learn Solid Edge from Siemens, and god, it's awful... Messy interface and a lot of little things that make every input awkward. I do not recommand it in any way...

[@user-gd1bc9ld5v]

Hello, I am a product design engineer working for a Korean manufacturer. Then have a nice day. When I was a college student, I learned AutoCAD and solidworks at school, but I use autocad and Autodesk inventor at work. The biggest advantage of Autodesk Inventor is that it's the 3D program that works best with AutoCAD.

[@user-gd1bc9ld5v]

I am a Korean mechanical designer. I work for a manufacturer in Pyeongtaek. Pyeongtaek is one of the major commercial and industrial cities in Korea.

[@mikkelkirketerp4884]

@@zet0korp Ahem what simple things do you want Inventor to do that SW does? Maybe I just havent got enough hours in SW but for me Inventor is the more userfriendly program, that will do things more simple.

[@naufalhadi8684]

FreeCad and Blender are good alternative for opensource choice. I use them both

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

Thanks for sharing!

[@nsboost]

Freecad is incredibly unintuitive

[@Alpine-GT]

Sir, I have completed diploma in automobile engineering so which software should I learn, which will help me find a job quick..?

[@burgerplace9764]

Catia V6, automotive has moved from V5 R26 since last year. Furthermore, some manufacturers use Siemens NX.

[@omegadeepblue1407]

It depends of your country, the standard can be SolidWorks to Siemens NX.

[@omegadeepblue1407]

Why is 3Ds Max there? That is for 3D Animation, the fact that the software is 3D it does not means that is gonna be used for the same objective.

[@jonasmortensen1252]

3ds max is not for animation mainly. It is more for hard surface modelling which it is king at and also have a pretty good standard when it comes to vfx

[@archifishu2232]

how can these programs be compared? they are for different tasks. Then add a sketchup and renga

[@sundramgupta8335]

Hello sir....i am non engineering student...i did my graduation in the field of computer applications....now i want to start my career in autocad designer.....can i get job in autocad cad without any engineering background

[@mohithraslana3838]

yea.....you can

[@8kSarah]

Could you compare Solidworks vs Blender?

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

SW & Blender are very different software catering to very different types of applications. SW is a fundamentally parametric software, while Blender is less so making it good for artistic applications. We have a webinar soon with a into to parametric modeling & SW, you can join us here: www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-parametric-3d-modeling-and-solidworks-tickets-198170040927 We'll talk a lot more about parametric modeling there.

[@benshapirohamburgerhelper1239]

so where does autocad fall in all of this?

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

Great question. We don't believe AutoCAD is a full 3D software. Thus, we did not include it in the video.

[@ridewithvenkat9252]

which one is the best CATIA V5 or CATIA V6 ....?

[@raj4624]

c.venkatesh waran V5 R21

[@enigmacore4080]

If you have enough money to spend on license use V6...

[@paultamio7911]

Is it okay to use integrated GPU for all of these?

[@Al-nv7zm]

In terms of computation and rendering, CAD softwares rely on CPU. But in order to have a fluid experience in the interface, a mid-tier dedicated GPU is recommended. Integrated GPUs will have a hard time processing the space, shapes, and textures of your work consequently slowing down your work flow significantly. A GTX 1650 is a low/mid-tier GPU is more than enough for beginners and can handle workloads of small to medium projects. Anything bigger will require a much more powerful GPU. I suggest view the minimum and recommended pc system requirements of the program you like to use so you can narrow your CPU and GPU choices. But to sum up, for a small to medium scale model design, a 10th Gen Core i7 or Ryzen 7 4000 series paired at least with a GTX 1650 and 16GB RAM should do it.

[@lakshminarayana.k2367]

I want to learn Autodesk Inventor to join world skill competition some one pls help me i dont have enough knowledge to learn that software

[@dmasterdesigns]

I’ll answer before watching the video. it depends on what you like as a designer. Architecture, it’s Revit/AutCAD. Mechanical it’s Solidworks/AutoCAD.

[@gershona.7268]

Is ANSYS good?

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

ANSYS has a great reputation for FEA simulation. However, it is not a common option for 3D modeling even though it can be used for that purpose.

[@mohammeddarwish5879]

What about CREO? Is it like CATIA?

[@PTC_Creo]

Creo is at a higher level than SOLIDWORKS (but still of course can be used for less relatively complex things) and our higher-end packages has capabilities comparable to CATIA.

[@TechWayTamil]

I'm using Creo 7.0

[@omegadeepblue1407]

@A M Actually that rigoagui dude looks like a fanboy of Autodesk Inventor. (Based from other comments in this video).

[@PTC_Creo]

We hope you're enjoying it!

[@nickybee3731]

What about blender , Sorry that was very poor video about the subject. You gave little details about the different software in my opinion compared to other KZbin on the subject. But good luck 👍 with future video regards.

[@SaschaUncia]

My main program is Blender and I am currently learning Solidworks at college. I wish Blender could do parametric CAD-type modelling, it feels so much more fluid and dynamic to make things in Blender. Unfortunately the internals and workflow are very much analogous to vector vs raster, when you make things in CAD software everything is procedurally & mathematically defined, precise up until final output; Blender just can't do that as cleanly.

[@firanteengineer4346]

i felt same. m uninstalling blender after confirming it lol

[@SaschaUncia]

@@firanteengineer4346 It's still worth learning as a secondary program even if you only want to focus on CAD. It's just like Photoshop vs Illustrator. Use which one is appropriate in the moment.

[@user-yx2nd7no5k]

You can use BIM software to make precise stuff than export and render with Blender or optimize and render in Twinmotion. But you know you can just measure everything in Blender? You have addons but you can just do precise work.

[@littlechannel50]

What about blender?

[@idkmane8067]

kinda different kinda the same, more for organic modeling

[@chrisreynolds6391]

Nice office! I want to spend the night there!

[@hyperloop7053]

What is the best software to design a car from blueprints? Solidworks CATIA rhino?

[@enigmacore4080]

CATIA is best ... It's Grand Father of all... Solidworks and CATIA both under dassult Company.... Rhino is used for more Free modeling... Specially for Curved / Spline ... For organic Design use Rhino/3ds max

[@raj4624]

CATIA is Love♥️

[@user-gd1bc9ld5v]

Nice to meet you. I'm a Autodesk Inventor user.

[@user-gd1bc9ld5v]

I am a product design engineer working for a Korean manufacturer. Then have a nice day. When I was a college student, I learned AutoCAD and solidworks at school, but I use autocad and Autodesk inventor at work. The biggest advantage of Autodesk Inventor is that it's the 3D program that works best with AutoCAD. I am a Korean mechanical designer. I work for a manufacturer in Pyeongtaek. Pyeongtaek is one of the major commercial and industrial cities in Korea.

[@psannu]

What about AutoCAD

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

In essence, AutoCAD is a 2D software that has 3D elements in it. So, it is different than the software we mentioned in the video.

[@juriytrembach421]

RS DesignSpark Mechanical 5.0

[@mcdolton4119]

I've been using Inventor for around 6 or 7 months now. However, I just switched over to Solidworks and I absolutely despise it. It works and feels nothing like Inventor. The interface is actual crap

[@mohithraslana3838]

agreed👍

[@Torulv]

Iv heard the opposite from solidworks users

[@romanorolex2325]

Can you make a tutorial to design chess pieces

[@bigpapa112998]

BricsCAD as well

[@bigpapa112998]

Creo

[@smrutiranjanswain9112]

He is teaching solid works in intershala

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

Yep, he does :)

[@bcool1042]

I AM the student of this sir🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@MechanicalCommunity]

Sir i buy your solidwork training at internshala and i am from india 🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@sucramc]

Some fix those photos in the background, they’re so uneven

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

Exactly why no one like to be in that room!

[@saiyaninjafromvillagehidde8115]

You're from Internshala. Tayseer Almattar.

[@sergeydukman5832]

Hats off to Solid, but nothing beats Autodesk Inventor.

[@Tfordesign_innovate]

What is your favorite part of Autodesk Inventor?

[@sergeydukman5832]

@@Tfordesign_innovate Everything basically. Very easy, effective and clear ways of doing and representing parts and assemblies. I like "Drive" constraints to look how assembly works in general and if there is any collisisons. New assembly representations (Model states) is a high-level delivery for making several subdrawings in a easy and quick manner - say welding assembly and then machining assembly representations. Inventor got Nastran as FEM which works very well. There are a lot of stuff that I like and to list it up will take a while :)

[@enigmacore4080]

Work on Solution not on Software

[@thepuppetqueen57]

People: Using these for building stuffs Me: Using it to frick around

[@ajayratnam3021]

blender is the king for all

[@tejeshwvardhan1165]

FREECAD

[@sceneonhaha6627]

i think blender is best

[@chrischoir3594]

NX is the best, Catia second

[@user-gd1bc9ld5v]

You mean UG NX?

[@user-gd1bc9ld5v]

Please tell me.

[@chrischoir3594]

@@user-gd1bc9ld5v yeah Siemens NX, Unigraphics sold it to Siemens

[@omegadeepblue1407]

How good is NX?

[@chrischoir3594]

@@omegadeepblue1407 it's arguably the best. it is the easiest to use and it has a great looking UI

[@ruslanpala4424]

What I saw??? Where are Siemens NX, Solid edge, Creo???? It are main programms! What here doing Revit and 3Ds max???? Revit and ArchiCAD is not for machines. 3Ds Max is not CAD. It is just 3d .

[@SubinGeorge26]

Why are there so many commas in your sentences?

[@motosail8608]

you can do complex structures in Fusion 360. what are you talking about? you are giving a review based on price and complex structure and using terms like parametric and that's it. nothing about this video is useful in any way!

[@motosail8608]

please give in depth reviews otherwise please dont make such videos at all by using just four words, price-complex-engine-parametric.

[@duca74]

cimatronE

[@fcalin21]

CATIA has done nothing in 20 years for solid creation and drawings.

[@Tolkoum]

He don't know what he is talking about!

[@alexandregoodmann92]

Speak to much and says nothing

[@bestof467]

They're all great when software is free😁🏴‍☠🦜