IV7 -vs- MDT5

[jrw]

MDT5 user here, looking at IV7. I create various drawings with broken section views, details.. with local and external parts, exploded views, custom parts lists etc... How does IV7 compare to MDT5 for part creation, assemblies and drawing creation? Can you create assemblies and parts on-the-fly? How is the stability? Do the mass properties and c.o.g. calculations work easily? Any info and or comments would be most helpful.

[Anonymous]

This one is always a big can of worms. I suggest you search this and the R6 and R5.3 forum on this topic.

[Anonymous]

IV7 is a better program than MDT5, its like going
from AutoCAD to Catia (90%). We also went from MDT5 to IV7 and it is very,
very easy. Once you start in IV& you will not want to go back to MDT. Lets
start at the beginning:

How does IV7 compare to MDT5 for part creation, assemblies and drawing
creation?

IV7's part creation is like drawing in AutoCAD but with half the garbage.
If they brought the Power Pack option to IV7 I don't think they would need MDT
anymore!

Can you create assemblies and parts on-the-fly?

Ass'y are created by drag-and-drop (like moving
files in Windows Explorer) You can create parts right in the Ass'y file and use
outher parts edges and holes to create your new part.

How is the stability?

We haven't had any problems with stability, but
others have (search the group)

Do the mass properties and c.o.g. calculations work easily?

These can be tricky at times becuase of the material properties, but it
does a good job.

The only MAJOR problem the WE have with IV7 is the
IDW-to-DWG translation. Its garbage! There are a few other bugs too, but they
mostly seem to be operator errors. Other than that I would say go with it - you
probably wont regret it.

Gary Marzetti