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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    ExtendSim CP

    N/AN/AN/A

    $50

    one-time fee

    PTC Creo

    Score7.6 out of 10
    N/APTC offers Creo, the company's line of computer-aided design (CAD) products that support the product lifecycle management (PLM) process with 2D and 3D design kits (Creo Elements and Creo Direct), an augmented reality module, Creo Illustrate for technical illustrations, Creo Sketch, Creo Schematics and Creo View for diagramming and sharing information, Creo simulate for running simulations, and other modules.

    $2,480

    SOLIDWORKS

    Score8.7 out of 10
    N/ADassault Systemes offers SOLIDWORKS, a computer-aided design (CAD) system for education and manufacturing supporting 2D or 3D design, electrical design, simulations, and product development with collaboration tools.

    $1,295

    per year

    Pricing
    ExtendSim CPPTC CreoSOLIDWORKS
    Editions & Modules
    Basic
    $50
    one-time fee
    Design Package
    $2,480.00
    Solidworks Annual Subscription
    1,295
    per year
    Solidworks Standard
    3,996
    per standalone license
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    ExtendSim CPPTC CreoSOLIDWORKS
    Free Trial
    YesNoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    ExtendSim CPPTC CreoSOLIDWORKS
    Considered Multiple Products
    Imagine That
    No answer on this topic
    PTC
    Chose PTC Creo
    Learning curve of SOLIDWORKS is higher compared to Creo, however, stability and more design control is provided by Creo. Creo also have more robust and stable interfaces. For larger assemblies, Creo works better than SOLIDWORKS. New upgrades of Creo has given liberty to open …
    Incentivized
    Chose PTC Creo
    In my career, I’ve used a few different CAD packages. I started using Pro Engineer Wildfire 4, a predecessor to Creo which had all of the same problems as Creo, plus more. Creo has changed some things since then, but it seems to be built on the same base, so some things that …
    Incentivized
    Chose PTC Creo
    Less cost
    Best user interface
    Large user community
    Incentivized
    Chose PTC Creo
    Due to its simple interface & it is versatile.
    Incentivized
    Chose PTC Creo
    It is very easy for a person to learn the software if the person just started to create 3d product. It create a fluid product design. Design of product can be complex but this doesn't concern when I use creo.
    Incentivized
    Chose PTC Creo
    PTC Creo is much better than other software at allowing collaboration across multiple users, even multiple plants/locations. We went from an older non-parametric industry standard software to PTC Creo because we could save massive amounts of time by using the parametric …
    Incentivized
    Chose PTC Creo
    CATIA is another design software we had used before PTC Creo. The user interface of both PTC Crea and CATIA are very different. Part modeling is very user-friendly in PTC Creo, whereas drafting and sheet metal operations are easy in CATIA. PTC Creo has seamless flows while on …
    Incentivized
    Chose PTC Creo
    As a service provider, we provide our services on many platforms. My client is using this software for manufacturing their products and this software helps them a lot.
    Incentivized
    Chose PTC Creo
    PTC Creo has two main advantages. First, large assemblies with lots of different parts files, and its file structure that can handle these large assemblies without bogging the software done. Second, its ability to do advanced simulations without having to export the files to do …
    Incentivized
    Dassault Systemes
    Chose SOLIDWORKS
    The main alternative that I have heard of to SOLIDWORKS is PTC Creo or ProE (which is what I have heard it called). I have very little experience with the use of ProE, but in the opportunities that I have had to try it, I have found the user interface to be much less …
    Incentivized
    Chose SOLIDWORKS
    Creo is basically focusing on pure solid 3D modeling, while on the other hand the SOLIDWORKS' modeling approach is more parametric type and it is suiting for my purpose of use. Easy to use interface of SOLIDWORKS as compared to Creo. Features are easy to use. Just one click …
    Incentivized
    Chose SOLIDWORKS
    I have previously worked with Autodesk Inventor for designing very complex door mechanisms and large assemblies of drilling machines. I did not face any stability or performance issues
    Incentivized
    Chose SOLIDWORKS
    Creo offers easier design for surface modeling. Inventor is simpler to use, however, it is much more limited in modeling. Overall, I find SOLIDWORKS has a good balance of simplicity and completeness at the same time.
    Incentivized
    Chose SOLIDWORKS
    Solidworks is easier to use than Creo, but not as usable as Inventor. It is superior to Onshape and Fusion, however, Onshape is better for collaboration.
    Incentivized
    Chose SOLIDWORKS
    Let's face it: SOLIDWORKS has shaped the direction and look of CAD for more than two decades. Even well-established 3D brands such as PTC and Siemens have, over the course of the years, modified their products to behave and look more like SOLIDWORKS. And newer entries in to the …
    Incentivized
    Chose SOLIDWORKS
    SOLIDWORKS has been around much longer than Fusion 360...and in many realms they aren't even comparable. Fusion 360 is great for small product development projects... but really can't handle large files like SOLIDWORKS can. SOLIDWORKS overall has better and more simulation …
    Incentivized
    Chose SOLIDWORKS
    We chose SOLIDWORKS based on previous experience and relationship with the authorized vendor, as well as internal experience in SOLIDWORKS already existing with some of the engineering base. Cost, value and ease of implementation also were factors that led us to make the …
    Incentivized
    Chose SOLIDWORKS
    I use CREO as well as SOLIDWORKS. CREO is a more powerful program in terms of functionality. It allows users to create features that can be controlled in every aspect, which can be confusing at times. SOLIDWORKS gives some pre-proscribed functions in the features it creates, …
    Incentivized
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    90%
    Would buy again
    9 Answers
    97%
    Would buy again
    32 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    80%
    Delivers good value for the price
    8 Answers
    94%
    Delivers good value for the price
    30 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    80%
    Happy with the feature set
    8 Answers
    97%
    Happy with the feature set
    32 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    5 Answers
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    19 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    7 Answers
    96%
    Implementation went as expected
    24 Answers
    Features
    ExtendSim CPPTC CreoSOLIDWORKS
    Computer-Aided Design Software
    Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of ExtendSim CP and PTC Creo and SOLIDWORKS
    Feature
    ExtendSim CP
    -
    Ratings
    PTC Creo
    4.0
    1 Ratings
    61% below category average
    SOLIDWORKS
    8.8
    3 Ratings
    16% above category average
    3D Modeling00 Ratings4.01 Ratings9.83 Ratings
    2D Drafting00 Ratings1.01 Ratings9.43 Ratings
    Rendering and Visualization00 Ratings6.01 Ratings7.93 Ratings
    Parametric Design00 Ratings8.01 Ratings7.62 Ratings
    Collaboration and Sharing00 Ratings6.01 Ratings9.62 Ratings
    Compatibility with other software and formats00 Ratings2.01 Ratings9.83 Ratings
    Assembly Design00 Ratings3.01 Ratings9.23 Ratings
    Documentation and Annotation00 Ratings2.01 Ratings9.42 Ratings
    Simulation and Analysis00 Ratings00 Ratings6.22 Ratings
    Customization and Extensions00 Ratings00 Ratings9.43 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    ExtendSim CPPTC CreoSOLIDWORKS
    Small Businesses
    No answers on this topic
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    No answers on this topic
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Enterprises
    No answers on this topic
    Rhino
    Score8.7 out of 10
    PTC Creo
    Score7.6 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    ExtendSim CPPTC CreoSOLIDWORKS
    Likelihood to Recommend
    -
    (0 ratings)
    2.2
    (14 ratings)
    9.7
    (58 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (2 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.9
    (5 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    5.2
    (16 ratings)
    In-Person Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    Online Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    ExtendSim CPPTC CreoSOLIDWORKS
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Imagine That
    No answers on this topic
    PTC
    PTC Creo is great for assemblies that multiple users are collaborating on. Models can reference other models that someone in another department has released and when those models are changed, the referenced parts and assemblies are changed. These changes are very helpful when working on collaborative machine designs and comparing forging dies with the final parts.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    As a mechanical engineer, it is one of the best tools to just start modeling and engineering with. The UI tools are intuitive and engineering analysis such Mold Analysis, FEA, are great! Other 3D CAD modeling tools have a longer learning curve to master. All in all, if you're not planning to design an entire airplane with large assembly files, then Solidworks is your tool!
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Imagine That
    No answers on this topic
    PTC
    • PTC Creo contains many advanced tools with better optimization for creating part models and other production related drawings.
    • The initial concept designs can be done more adequately.
    • The parameters of 2D drawings can be changed easily by editing the 3D model.
    • The productivity can be increased by customized tools for modeling.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    • The collaborative work environment is a cool and useful feature where groups of people can work on the same model at the same time, and SOLIDWORKS ensures that you don't overwrite each other's work.
    • The ease and amount of customization options are very useful for creating a personalized and intuitive user interface, whether SOLIDWORKS is your native CAD package or not.
    • It is very easy to quickly edit a model you have already created. The software allows sketch and feature editing without having to take the time to actually enter the sketch/feature environment.
    • The use of configurations and configurations-specific dimensions in the same sketch is very useful for creating different forms of the same part
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Imagine That
    No answers on this topic
    PTC
    • No autosave
    • No clear message if it has problems saving the file
    • Not so easy to use
    • In my experience, has a lot of things missing that other CAD already have in years
    • In my experience, it's extremely easy to lose work/time
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    • Save DWG 2D files in inches or metric easily, defaults to metric and has to be manually converted to inches
    • When using the sketch feature, the ability to disable ALL references. If I don't know the exact shape and I want to draw/adapt my design, it harshly interprets the references which have no value to me. The easiest exact is to think about when you have a Microsoft Word document that has a lot of formatting, photos, tabs, etc. If you accidentally hit the "enter" key, you can explode the formatting and everything goes crazy. SW does this to me, I just want to "doodle" my sketches, edit/delete/etc and not be bound by arbitrary references.
    • For the sketch feature, ability to use a DraftSight plugin of some sort. I'm super fast in DS, if I could draw using the commands in SW then I would probably never open DS again and convert to SW full time. Currently, I only use SW as a way to convert 3D files so I can build everything in DraftSight.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Imagine That
    No answers on this topic
    PTC
    No answers on this topic
    Dassault Systemes
    We have absolutely no reasons to not keep with SolidWorks for the foreseeable future.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Imagine That
    No answers on this topic
    PTC
    No answers on this topic
    Dassault Systemes
    I have been using SOLIDWORKS for around 12 years as of writing this review, so have learned where most things are and how they work. When first starting out it was quite daunting, but the interface is well laid out with like functions near each other which made finding new functions relatively easy.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Imagine That
    No answers on this topic
    PTC
    I liked the training manuals I used to learn some, as I didn’t have CAD background in college or before this job. My coworkers were able to share with me what they learned in PTC training and I was able to get support online and through reading.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    We have an unusual arrangement. We don’t pay for support, but we’re partnered with a VAR for second-tier support.
    I work with other users if I have questions but when we’ve had to ask the VAR, they always have answers. It appears that all of the VARs have access to a support platform from DS SOLIDWORKS that helps them answer most questions.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Imagine That
    No answers on this topic
    PTC
    Learning curve of SOLIDWORKS is higher compared to Creo, however, stability and more design control is provided by Creo. Creo also have more robust and stable interfaces. For larger assemblies, Creo works better than SOLIDWORKS. New upgrades of Creo has given liberty to open different file data of different software without any file conversion. Creo costs comparable to SOLIDWORKS cost, with more capabilities.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    Onshape is a direct competitor. It has great entry level pricing and it is easy to access with no installation required. Being a web based app there is sometime some lag being based in NZ. Management also have concerns over where the data is stored on the cloud. With SW we can control where it is stored
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Imagine That
    No answers on this topic
    PTC
    • Having PTC Creo as our primary tool positions us as forward thinking and creative in the eyes of our clients.
    • PTC Creo constantly evolves in the ability to increase our productivity; new capabilities and features are added, which reduce our level of effort for some tasks.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    • Creation of small 3D pieces to generate cash flow.
    • Not being able to create 3D sculptures with this tool, and not being able to fulfill the client's requirements.
    • To be able to sell high visual quality simulations for companies that hire the service.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots