In my previous article, I introduced SOLIDWORKS users to some of the core concepts of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, including roles. This article aims to expand that audience’s knowledge of the platform’s brands and apps. So without further ado, let’s start.
What are the brands available on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform?
Brands are, for a lack of a better word, a product line of software that is available on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Each brand contains several roles that are tailored to specific jobs an individual may have.
All the brands are tied together via the compass, which helps stakeholders access the tools they need throughout the lifecycle of any given product.
All of these brands are, in one way or another, represented on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform via the compass.
Most SOLIDWOKRS users will not need access to many of the brands on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. However, an overview of some of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform brands you might come across include, the:
- SOLIDWORKS: Easy to use 2D and 3D CAD product development tools. You will find many of the apps here familiar if you are used to working with SOLIDWORKS. One role that offers access to this brand’s family of apps is the 3D Creator role.
- CATIA: 3D modeling and CAD software that is popular in the aerospace and automotive industries. One role that grants access to the CATIA brand is the Mechanical Designer role.
- SIMULIA: Simulation tools to help predict, evaluate and optimize the performance of products. You will find all sorts of simulation applications within this brand including structural, electromagnetic and computational fluid dynamics models. One role that grants access to SIMULIA is the Structural Designer role.
- ENOVIA: PLM tools to help teams collaborate, even when they are at different locations and using different systems. An example of a role that focuses on this brand could be the Collaborative Designer for Inventor role.
- 3DEXCITE: Tools to produce product visualization and marketing material. One of my favorite roles to offer access to 3DEXITE is the 3D Render role.
- BIOVIA: Scientific software to help you gain a better understanding of chemical, material and biological mechanisms. One of the roles that offers access to this brand is the Computational Chemist role.
- DELMIA: Production planning, supply chain and other manufacturing tools. One of my favorite roles to access this brand is the Lean Team Player role.
- NETVIBES: Tools to help decision makers learn from large amounts of data to gain business insights, improve products and drive performance. One role that offers access to this brand is the Business Analytics Developer role.
- GEOVIA: Modelling, designing, simulation and monitoring tools for geoscientists, earth engineers and urban planners. A role that will grant access to this brand of tools includes the City Data Engineer role.
With brands and roles covered, let’s move on to Apps.
What apps are available on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform?
Apps are likely something that you have heard of when it comes to various platforms. But, you may also be thinking: “Hang on, I don’t use apps on my computer, I use programs,” or: “Aren’t apps and programs the same thing?”
Both statements are not uncommon, but both statements are incorrect.
I could write a whole article on the subject. However, that has already been done by people more knowledgeable than me on the matter. For example, on geeksforgeeks.org, the page “Difference between Program and Application,” states:
- “Programs, as [the] name suggests, are simply set[s] of instructions that are developed to work in [a] single platform and usually written by computer programmer[s] in programming languages such as C++, Java, Python, etc.”
- “Applications, as [the] name suggests, are simply [programs] that are designed for end users to perform specific tasks and achieve [a] purpose … [They can also] manipulate text, numbers, graphics, audio and combination of these elements, etc.”
In other words, all apps are programs, but not all programs are apps.
For instance, your web browser is designed to help you browse the internet, but the apps on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform are designed (for the most part) to work on your browser and help you perform specific tasks.
SOLIDWORKS is another example of a program, but the Design with SOLIDWORKS add-in is an app that is used within the program to communicate with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
When looking at the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, all the apps are connected to the platform. You can use them to get information from the platform to your device, computer and more.
It does, of course, require that these apps are available to your tenant and that your administrator has granted you the access via your role. Without apps, you would not get a lot done on the platform. For example, without any roles you will only have access to the 3DSwymer app. This grants you access to a lot of different communities, among them the SOLIDWORKS Forum. But that’s about it.
Do I have to install anything?
Like most things in life, there is no easy answer. Apps can be divided into three different categories. The first you can use without installing. These apps run directly on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. This type of app can also run on any device with an internet connection via the web browser. The xApps are good examples of these types of apps. They are used to create a 3D model directly in the browser on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
For the second category of apps, installation is optional. With this type of app, you can run it on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform as you wish, but installing the app may enhance or offer different functionality. One example of this would be the 3DDRIVE app. This is a file sharing app that can run on both your computer and your browser. For those on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3DDRIVE can be used to share data to those without the platform. However, to access that data without the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, those users must install a desktop client.
The last category of apps require installation. These apps are not designed to run on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, but instead run on your computer. However, some apps can still communicate with the platform. One example is the Design with SOLIDWORKS app. It installs an add-in for SOLIDWORKS which enables you to store, share and manage SOLIDWORKS files on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
For users of the 3DEXPERIENCE, it is not possible to purchase an app, only roles. This means that if you want a particular app, you must ensure the role you purchase has access to it.