Clone solidworks for Linux/Mac?

[u/Allergic2Humans]

Now that people are reverse engineering using AI and rebuilding products for different platforms, are there thoughts on doing this for solidworks? Not to be fully feature compliant because yes solidworks needs a lot of hardware optimization from windows but atleast something that works for intermediate levels?

[u/experienced3Dguy]

u/Allergic2Humans Have you looked at the xDesign apps? They are 100% developed by SOLIDWORKS and run in a browser, even on Linux machines, Android tablets, Apple devices, Chromebooks, etc. I run them on my Amazon Fire tablet. They are not native SOLIDWORKS files. Instead they use the CATIA geometry kernel.

[u/Neither-Goat6705 → u/experienced3Dguy]

I think the root of confusion with users is due to Dassault naming the legacy Parasolid based desktop product SolidWorks Design and newer Catia code/cloud-based product SolidWorks xDesign. Folks assume they are the same product, just hosted differently but they are in fact completely different products with the native data not shareable between them without going through a translation.

Since xDesign is Catia based, is the data generated by xDesign directly usable in Catia (v6?) without translation?

[u/experienced3Dguy → u/Neither-Goat6705]

I think of the naming as similar to a Chevy Corvette and a Chevy Camaro. Both are Chevy-branded products developed by Chevy's engineering department from the Chevy division of General Motors.

In their native state, xApps store their models as database objects and not as traditional Windows-style "files". In order to be shared with other apps, especially on a Windows PC, they must be exported using one of many neutral file formats, OR a 3DEXPERIENCE platform-specific file type called 3DXML.

Provided that you export the xDesign model or assembly in a "3DXML with authoring abilities" file format, then it should import into CATIA V6 with no problems.

You may already know, there are two flavors of 3DXML, the default "for viewing only" lightweight format, and the more robust format "with authoring abilities" that contains full sketch, feature, component, and assembly info.

[u/Neither-Goat6705 → u/experienced3Dguy]

I would equate it to both products being called a Ford Mustang and realizing the appended Mach E derivative is just an electric crossover that shares nothing with a Mustang.

[u/experienced3Dguy → u/Neither-Goat6705]

There's the problem! You're used to dealing with Fords! 🤣🤣🤣

[u/Neither-Goat6705 → u/experienced3Dguy]

I could of used the GMC Denali example were one would expect a fullsize SUV but would be disappointed to find out it is just a bicycle. 😝