Image 2 of 3
Editor's Note: This review has been removed from our side-by-side comparison because it no longer ranks as a top 10 product. The original review is below, but check out our current top 10 about CAD Software here.
Alibre's products fall into two categories intended for different users and applications. Alibre Design Professional has a basic set of features intended for users to get started with CAD, whereas Alibre Design Expert is a 3D and 2D modeling application suitable or intended for professional use. Design Tools. DXF Export for Alibre Design is an AutoCAD DXF file export add-on for Alibre Design. This add-on gives Alibre Design the ability to export 3D solid data from a. CAD Software. What is better Alibre Design or CAD Pro? When scouting for the proper CAD Software for your enterprise it is recommended that you review the characteristics, pricing, and other critical information concerning the product and vendor. RETRO-VIDEO: Erstes Alibre-Video aus dem Jahr 2003. Damals wie heute ein unschlagbares CAD-System in Preis und Leistung.
Alibre Design PE is CAD software specially designed for home hobbyists. The software is the light, personal edition in the Alibre family of design applications, which also encompasses professional and expert editions. Media player for windows vista. For a consumer application, the software is surprisingly powerful, boasting both basic 2D drafting and 3D parametric modeling. While you won’t see the full-scale design functionality found on professional CAD software or even on some of the other more robust lite applications in our lineup, the software proves to be a useful, low-cost application worth the investment.
Considering it’s an entry-level application, we were pleasantly surprised to find the CAD software offers the majority of the features we were looking for including a command history, text editing and a measure tool that automatically measures linear distances. However, it doesn’t have a point marker tool that automatically numbers identical objects, though you can easily duplicate identical objects with a simple keyboard command. Also, you can create macros to use with Alibre Design, but the application itself doesn’t have the native ability to record macros.
Alibre Design PE offers versatile 2D and 3D functionality based on parametric solid modeling. This means the entire design is driven by intelligent dimensions. Whenever one dimension is changed, the entire design is automatically altered to reflect the change and maintain dimensional accuracy. This is highly convenient because you don’t have to adjust every single dimension manually whenever one is changed. The more complex a design, the handier parametric modeling is.
The CAD software has a basic 2D drawing toolset ideal for drafting floor plans, engineering schematics and other two-dimensional designs. It also has snap tools and color editing and lighting effects to add depth and aesthetics to designs. What the software lacks is photorealistic rendering, a full 2D toolset, cross hatching and lighting effects. However, these features are available on Alibre’s professional and expert editions.
Alibre Design PE’s file compatibility is mediocre at best. It only offers 2D import of DXF and DWF drawing files and basic PDF publishing. It also offers 3D export of STL files. STL refers to the native file format of computer-aided manufacturing software. There’s no support for WMF (Windows Metafile) and it doesn’t support raster images.
When it comes to ease of use, Alibre Design PE isn’t immune to the sharp learning curve inherent with most, if not all, CAD software. The computer-aided software takes some getting used to, and navigating can sometimes be inhibited by the cumbersome interface and its tiny, unlabeled icons. It may be packaged as a consumer application, but to use the software seems more like high-end CAD software that’s simply been stripped of some advanced features. Despite being challenging to learn, the software proves highly useful and interesting once you get the hang of it. Asus touch screen monitor drivers.
Overall, we were impressed with the software’s help and support options. To receive direct technical assistance for any Alibre products, you must purchase a software maintenance plan, which isn’t ideal but is a rather common practice among manufacturers of technical computer applications. Under the plan, you can receive support via telephone, online ticket system or live chat. You can access the live chat directly from the CAD software’s interface and speak directly to an Alibre engineer. This particular feature is completely unique to Alibre and one we think makes the software maintenance worth the investment. The company also offers free support resources including a built-in help section, online tutorials and training videos, all of which are informative and proved to be valuable resources for us.
Alibre Design PE isn’t the easiest CAD software to use and proper utilization of the application requires time, effort and patience. However, with an attractive price tag and exceptional parametric modeling, Alibre Design PE proves to be an impressive entry-level CAD application.
After 3D Systems acquired Texas-based Alibre in 2011, Alibre’s parametric CAD software morphed into a new product called Geomagic Design, part of 3D Systems’ portfolio.
Whatever enthusiasm that brought the two parties together seemed to have fizzled out now. So, in the end of 2017, a group of former Alibre veterans quietly reacquired the brand’s IP from 3D Systems.
Alibre Design
“Prior to the acquisition .., we had the autonomy and focus necessary to put you first, to actively participate in discussions with our customers, and to drive the product ever forward. Our team had passion and the authority to act on it. We formed Alibre, LLC and acquired Geomagic Design because we wanted to return to that environment,” wrote Max Freeman, CEO of the new Alibre LLC, in a blog post.
Freeman was VP of product management and marketing at the old Alibre Inc. This week, he began reaching out to the industry press, signaling that the new Alibre LLC is open for business.
Alibre Cad Free
After fading from spot light, Alibre, an old name, reemerges as an independent CAD vendor (image courtesy of Alibre LLC).
An Unorthodox Fighter
In the late 1990s, Alibre competed with Autodesk Inventor, SOLIDWORKS, Solid Edge, and other mainstream modeling programs. With its price set slightly lower than the major competitors, Alibre software held its own.
Long before Onshape and others launched browser-based CAD, Alibre tested the waters with web-based CAD in 2000. At the time, high bandwidth connections were not the norm. Therefore, Alibre’s online CAD was beset by lag time and performance issues.
In 2009, fierce competition prompted Alibre to try something radical. It offered $99 version of its product—a 90% price cut from the standard version selling for $999. Alibre’s then-CEO Paul Grayson characterized the discount as “a massive market share grab,” available only for a limited time.
A year later, Alibre was swallowed up into 3D Systems’ universe. At the time, 3D Systems said it planned to “expand the breadth and reach of the Alibre design productivity tools ..” As a lone CAD modeler in 3D systems’ additive manufacturing (AM) hardware and software portfolio, Geomagic Design faded into the background.
The return of independent Alibre, marked by the upcoming release of Alibre Design 2018, is but one more chapter in the company’s eventful chronicles.
Renewed Vows, Renewed Energy
![Alibre Cad Software Alibre Cad Software](https://dl1.cbsistatic.com/i/2018/02/01/5537a343-e3b3-40b9-a6db-06ba64c6850a/4d0b8cbe1f4d7d5691735ef9ce847718/imgingest-4575158890274914611.jpg)
Alibre Tutorial
Alibre is returning to a CAD landscape that’s significantly different. Newcomers like Onshape have opened the door to browser-based CAD. Established players like Autodesk Inventor and SOLIDWORKS are incorporating topology optimization features, AM-support, and tablet support into the packages. Price is but one of the factors in the new CAD land grab.
In a frank admission, Freeman said, “We don’t claim that we can match Autodesk Inventor or SOLIDWORKS feature for feature. They’re appropriate for people making airplane and automotive parts, sure. But we believe there are also machine shops that need to design simple stuff. They are underserved. We are a great fit for them. We believe people are still interested in a capable CAD system at a reasonable price.”
That reasonable price, for now, is $1,000 for Alibre Design Professional. There’s also a $2,000 version called Alibre Design Expert with more features.
Alibre Cad Free
Freeman also revealed he plans to court the consumer crowd, but he’s not ready to discuss details.
Librecad Software
“As we move forward, we’ll focus on ease of use and ease of entry to the product,” Freeman said.