AutoCAD and solidworks are one of the most widely used CAD softwares in the engineering field. Both these softwares have similar advantages. Solidworks and AutoCAD are used in the design field depending on their applications and need.In recent times AutoCAD and SolidWorks software is the most required software in the field of engineering design.
In order to understand the difference between AutoCAD and solidworks one must have a better and basic knowledge about these two softwares.
In this post we will discuss the difference between AutoCAD and solidworks.There is some difference between these two software. which makes them different from each other.lets discuss in detail below
ORGIN AND VERSIONS
AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 by John Walker.The latest version of AutoCAD 24.1 (AutoCAD 2022) was released in March 23.
Solidworks is a CAD software developed by Dassault systems. corporation was founded in December 1993 by Massachusetts institute of technology graduate Jon hirschtick.solidworks released its first product Solidworks 95,in November 1995. The latest version (version no:29) of Solidworks was released on September 22,2020.
Both these softwares can be downloaded from their official websites.
File format
The most common file formats used by AutoCAD are DWG and DXF. Typically a file extension is used to determine the nature of the file type.
DWG
The term DWG indicates drawing file.This type of file is used to support selection of vector entities,such as AutoCAD specific elements such as dynamic blocks.
DXF
The term DXF indicates a Drawing Exchange Format. This type of extension is used in the CAD softwares.
The following are the most commonly used file extensions in solidworks.
.sldprt : This file extension indicates the part file. 3d models drawn in the part environment are stored with this file extension.
.sldasm: This file extension indicates the assembly file. part files assembled in the assembly environment are saved with this file extension.
.slddrw:This type of extension is used to save the solidworks drawing file
Apart from the above mentioned extensions, solidworks has many extension file formats. Only most commonly used file extension formats are discussed here
Solidworks file can also be stored as .igs format to make importable in any other applications or other CAE softwares.
Nature and applications of software
AutoCAD: AutoCAD is a two dimensional drafting software and three dimensional software widely used by architects.home builders as well as civil engineers for their structural works.
You can consider autocad software as advanced level software for two-dimensional drafting but intermediate level software for three dimensional modelling
Solidworks: solidworks CAD software is generally used by Mechanical Engineers for making mechanical parts which required machining as well as CNC works on them.
Solidworks software is an advanced level software for three dimensional modelling.
CAD interface
The AutoCAD user interface consists of the graphics window in the middle, ribbon and menu bar in the top and the command manager at the bottom.The following image shows the AutoCAD user interface.
The solidworks user interface consists of the ribbon and the menu bar at the top followed by the model tree on the left and the graphics window at the middle.
Sample models
With this autocad software you can draw advanced 2D drawings and also circuit layouts for electrical engineers. The following shows the shinchan drawing which is drawn by autocad software.
With the use of the solidworks software you can draw complex 3D models with advanced assembling environment. The following image shows the the assembled view of of RC helicopter drawn using the solidworks software.
Ribbon tab
The AutoCAD ribbon tab consists of important and mostly used drawing commands such as line, polyline and other drawing tools.It also consists of the annotation tools for dimensioning and also consists of the modify toolbars to rotate, mirror,extend and copy the 2D drawing. The following image shows the ribbon tab in AutoCad.
The solidworks command manager consists of the 2d drawing tools in the sketching environment and 3D features in the part environment and surface features in the surface environment and also consists of other simulation and rendering environment. The following image shows the command manager in solidworks
Conclusion
Both AutoCAD and solidworks are the best CAD softwares in the engineering design. But its applications only makes the differences between them.
AutoCAD is used in drawing the structural layout drawing in civil engineering and also to create the electrical circuit layout in electrical engineering whereas,solidworks is used to to design 3D modelling of the component which is to be manufactured in an CNC machining.