Both Cadasio and SolidWorks Composer allow you to create images from your CAD data for use in your instruction manuals, however both software have distinct differences which you need to understand before making the right decision for your business. We have highlighted what we believe to be the major considerations to make when comparing the software. It's also worth pointing out that SolidWorks Composer also goes by the name CATIA composer within the CATIA software channel. There are very few differences (mainly the differences in file compatibility and price) so everything below is also relevant to anyone looking for a CATIA Composer alternative.
3D Output Capability
Whilst there is no doubt that printed instruction manuals still have their place, people are increasingly looking for alternatives. Cadasio focuses on 3D output as we believe it to be the future. We generate 3D, interactive content which can improve the end users experience and understanding of your product whilst also reducing printing costs, making your business more sustainable.
SolidWorks Composer can produce 3D content. It has a separate player which allows people to view Composer documents, but who wants to download an additional viewer just to see how to assemble something? The viewer itself is based on ActiveX technology, which is so old and vulnerable to security issues that it is actually blocked on modern browsers, and certainly won't work on Android or IOS devices. You need specific hardware to run Composer (see below) and the same is true for the Composer Player. Can you guarantee the people you want to share your documents with have a CAD grade computer?
Cadasio, on the other hand, is built using cutting edge WebGL technology. This means your projects can be viewed on any device with a modern Internet browser. Your customers will simply browse to a unique URL or scan a QR code which are automatically generated for you and then your project will be displayed fully in 3D on any device including mobiles and tablets.
2D Output Capability
SolidWorks Composer can create vector and raster images as well as AVI animations. We can’t deny, the vector images produced are excellent, giving you crisp, scalable images. You can also create AVI movies, which have some limitations but generally can look pretty good.
When it comes to 2D output Cadasio can save out high-quality PNG's and vector images as well as movie files. I think it is fair to say that Composers vector output looks better than Cadasios. However, from experience, there are a lot of people who want to create images for their instructions and service manuals who have no idea what a vector file is and no experience in using, editing or manipulating them. Consider whether this is really a must or whether a high-resolution PNG file would suffice. With updates coming out every few weeks, improving the output of the vector images is an enhancement request we will look at implementing.
Cost
Let's face it, when buying anything, a huge consideration is the cost.
SolidWorks Composer can only be purchased from a Value Added Reseller. Often the pricing isn't that clear from their website and you have to request a quote. At the time of writing, we could only find a few resellers which listed it anywhere from $5490 to $7466. That is the initial price to purchase the software. It does not always take into account the subscription cost that you will pay if you want to receive updates, which is typically in the region of $1000 a year.
Cadasio, on the other hand, is very transparent about its pricing structure. We offer a free version so you can ensure we are the right solution for you, and out Professional version starts at $600 a year. We also offer the ability to pay monthly for added convenience. Cadasio is very likely to work out cheaper than the yearly maintenance fee a SolidWorks reseller would charge, plus you would not have the huge up front outlay, not to mention the time and cost of carrying out installs and upgrades.
Computer Equipment
SolidWorks Composer needs a computer with the Windows operating system and ideally a SolidWorks certified graphics card in it. If don’t have this, you cannot guarantee that it will run without issues or receive full support. Whilst the machines your CAD engineers use are no doubt suitable, are those of the person responsible for creating your instructions? Upgrading or replacing a computer just to use Composer could be very expensive, so factor this in when deciding.
Cadasio will run on any modern computer. Mac, Windows, we don't mind. You won't need to buy any specific hardware. If your computer can handle our examples then you are good to go!
Training
There's an official training course for SolidWorks Composer. This is typically a two day course which can set you back hundreds, not only in the course fee but with the time out of the office. Compared to Cadasio there is a steeper learning curve and you would be hard pushed to get up to speed with Composer without attending a course, which ultimately adds to your investment cost.
We have tried to make Cadasio as user friendly and clutter free as possible, with the majority of users picking it up very quickly, with no time out of the office. We have interactive guides built into the software that you can run through so you can fully grasp all the concepts which typically last around 10 minutes each. We also post additional hints and tips on our blog and Vimeo page.
Updates
SolidWorks Composer receives up to 5 service pack updates throughout its yearly release cycle, though not always, with updates sometimes only coming when a new major version is released. To receive these updates you will need to be on subscription. You will also have to take time out of your day to install the updates yourself. You may also want to check out what updates have actually come out for Composer over the last few years, as most users have not found anything too meaningful for your money.
If you prefer the idea of regular, useful updates which you automatically receive and a responsive development team, then Cadasio is a wiser choice. We update typically ever 2/3 weeks. Unlike Composer we also try to be very transparent about what we are doing and have a public changelog and a roadmap of the bigger features that are being worked on. We also pride ourselves with being very responsive to our customers and a lot of the features we have added have come directly from customers suggestions.
So should I use SolidWorks Composer or Cadasio?
We would love you to use Cadasio and hopefully the above has helped you make a more informed decision. If you have deep pockets and are specifically after outputs of SVG or CGM images then SolidWorks Composer is currently the software for you, however it comes at a cost. No viable online 3D sharing of your manuals, high initial cost and the steep learning curve of SolidWorks Composer should be enough to at least consider Cadasio, after all you can sign up for free now, so what have you got to lose?! Ultimately if you are looking at updating the way you deliver your instructions and service manuals then Cadasio is the choice to make.
Don’t forget you can decide whether Cadasio is the right solution for you for free, no strings attached and no payment details required, simply create an account and get started today!
