SolidWorks Vs. Creo
Every year, there are more competitors in the CAD software market, but Dassault Systèmes’ SolidWorks and PTC’s Creo have both stood out from the start. In the mid-1990s, SolidWorks was developed as a direct rival to Creo, which was more affordable and user-friendly. Since that time, both CAD programs have increased their functionality, user base, and popularity to rank among the best CAD programs available.
SolidWorks and Creo are both CAD software, but they differ significantly in a number of key ways. The biggest difference is that SolidWorks’ modeling strategy is more parametric, while Creo focuses more on pure solid 3D modeling.
SolidWorks is a single design program that comes with all the standard design tools, whereas Creo is a collection of modules that users can combine and match based on their CAD requirements.
Therefore, which program would be best for you? You can choose where to invest your time and money by reading through all the critical details in our comparison below.
Best Alternative to SolidWorks and Creo: SelfCAD
Instead of using SolidWorks and Creo, you can use one of the many excellent 3D design programs available today. Your needs and preferences will usually determine which option is best. However, we advise using SelfCAD if you are a beginner who wants to create compelling designs without spending a lot of time learning how to use the program. It is popular with novices and experts who want to quickly produce complex models without taking much time.
SelfCAD offers both a download for Windows and macOS as well as a version that can be used in the browser. Basic solid modeler SelfCAD is more complex and powerful than TinkerCAD while maintaining TinkerCAD’s user-friendliness. It is easy to use, and many interactive tutorials are available to help anyone get started with 3D modeling right away.
The modeling, rendering, animation, and 3D printing capabilities are all included in one program, which makes it unique among other 3D design software. SelfCAD has a simple user interface and thoughtfully arranged tools, making it easy to use.
All of SelfCAD’s designs are ready for 3D printing. The software also has a built-in 3D slicer that you can use to slice your designs and get the G-Code, which you can send to your 3D printer. Get to know how SelfCAD slicer works in the video below.
Once the 3D model is complete, you won’t need to switch to another piece of software. This software is less expensive than other expert 3D design platforms that serve the same purpose.
Users – Beginners, Intermediate, Professionals, small and large businesses.
Operating system – Browser-based, Windows, Mac.
Cost – Free for limited features and $14.99 per month. There is also a perpetual license of $599.
What is SolidWorks?
Solidworks is a 3D computer-aided design program that allows engineers and designers to create, modify, and optimize products. It is used by millions of professionals in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, and industrial machinery.
It provides a wide range of features and tools that make product development faster and more efficient. It helps companies save time and money by reducing the need for physical prototypes.
Solidworks is a powerful tool that can help you create better products. With its easy-to-use interface and wide range of features, it can help you save time and money while developing your product.
The program is used by engineers and other professionals, and mechanical engineering colleges also teach it. It has a reasonably user-friendly user interface and many features. Machines, instruction, industrial and product design, and medicine all use SolidWorks extensively.
What is Creo?
In 1987, Parametric Technology Corporation released Pro/ENGINEER, a computer-aided design (CAD) program that would later become known as Creo (PTC). One of the first prominent solid modelers to enter the CAD market, it had significantly impacted the sector. With the help of 3D direct modeling, finite element analysis, technical illustrations, and visualizations, the Creo family of 3D CAD parametric modeling applications helps all kinds of manufacturers create better products.
The Creo software package comes with the following ten programs: Creo Parametric, Creo Simulate, Creo Direct, Creo Illustrate, Creo View MCAD, Creo Schematics, Creo Sketch, Creo View ECAD, Creo Layout, and Creo Options Modeler. The use of Creo is widespread and is regarded by many as the industry norm in a wide range of industries worldwide. Creo enables creative businesses and industrial designers to create better products faster.
SolidWorks Vs Creo: In Detail
| Description | SolidWorks | Creo |
| Supported Systems | IGES, STEP, STL, and PARASOL files are supported by Solidworks. It does not support Creo and Catia Parts. | The majority of CAD systems, including Autodesk, CATIA, SiemensNX, SolidEdge, and SolidWorks, can have their data opened directly in Creo 3.0. These files don’t require conversion or translation. |
| Pricing | The cost difference between Creo and SolidWorks used to be as much as 80%. | Creo is very pricey. |
| Command operation is straightforward. | Creo is a very time-consuming process for the average person; even when making references on a plane, the options are limited compared to SolidWorks. | |
| Modeling | Part modeling is comparatively simple and smooth. | To do part modeling in Creo, you must put in much effort. However, you should use Creo for all difficult, large, and complex tasks. |
| Assembly Tools | The assembly tools in SolidWorks are basic. | Compared to SolidWorks, Creo performs much better for assembly and drafting. You can put the right restrictions on Creo. |
| Operating System | Windows 7 SP1 or 10, 64-bit supports this software. | Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 are supported. 32/ 64 bit can be supported. |
| User Experience | Easy to use: Users find SolidWorks easy to learn. Many tutorials are provided by it to learn from the primary level.Design failures are transparent: SolidWorks shows how a mistake in any part of the design can affect the other features. Control over the design features: SolidWorks helps you merge the two different designs. | Difficult to learn: Creo has more advanced features, and if the software has more advanced features, it is more difficult to learn.High-end CAD functions: This is the best thing about Creo.Customisation: Creo is a suite of many advanced features. |
| Key Features | Command finder: This lets you find the commands based on the keywords.Hide or Show components: Here you can see the highlighted component by hiding the other details.Interference check: This component lets you know the overlapping tests.Hole wizard: Here all the standard tools and features are given. Mouse gesture: SolidWorks depends more on the mouse, and many users find it easier to control. Library: If you have shapes and details, then add them to the SolidWorks library. | Creo has several features. However, it is less user-friendly than SolidWorks. Styling features: Here you can create many curves and surfaces.Technical and freestyleSurfacing: Technical surfacing helps to manipulate the patches on different surfaces. Analysis features: A number of designs can be created within your specifications using Creo. Sheet metal modeling: Creo helps you to design the part out of sheet metal.Design for 3D printing: Creo helps to directly take your design for the additive manufacturing stage. Computational fluid dynamics: This feature is provided by Creo’s latest version. |
Main Difference Between SolidWorks & Creo
One of the most widely used 3D modeling programs in the market right now is Creo and SolidWorks. Both use similar tools to create 3D models but slightly differently.
Creo is a component of a more extensive PTC system for product development. It integrates with other PTC products that support product development, such as Arbortext for enterprise publishing software, Mathcad for engineering calculations, and Windchill for product lifecycle management (PLM).
Microsoft Windows is the operating system that SolidWorks uses to run its solid modeling CAD and CAE software. Dassault Systèmes is the company that publishes SolidWorks.
SolidWorks is a solid modeler that builds models and assemblies using a parametric feature-based method that was first developed by PTC (Creo/Pro-Engineer). The program is created using the Parasolid kernel.
The term “parameters” refers to constraints whose values determine the model or assembly’s shape or geometry.
Parameters can be geometrical terms like tangent, parallel, concentric, horizontal, or vertical, or numerical terms like line lengths or circle diameters. Using relations, numerical parameters can be connected to one another, capturing design intent.
Design intent explains how the part’s designer intends it to respond to upgrades and modifications. For instance, you would want the hole at the top to stay on the top surface regardless of the height or size of the container. SolidWorks enables the user to designate that the hole is a feature on the top surface, which will maintain their design intent no matter what height the user later provides the can.
Making an Informed Decision Between Solidworks and Creo for Your Design Projects
These two CAD software are major players in the field of solid modeling. When deciding which one to use, it comes down to a sincere evaluation of your skill level and understanding of what you need for your CAD projects.
Creo has enhanced capabilities and the ability to customize fundamental CAD operations. Although it is more challenging to get started with than SolidWorks, it outperforms SolidWorks in crucial areas like design speed, keyboard shortcuts, and its extensive toolkit that provides additional levels of detail.
On the other hand, if you’re a less experienced modeler or general CAD work is a small part of your duties but not your primary job, we advise SelfCAD. Along with having a better user community, it is also more user-friendly and can support any design you need.
