10K Downloads of Free Solid Edge 2D

UGS is pleased that 10,000 copies of their free Solid Edge 2D Drafting software have been downloaded in one month. Download it yerself from here.

The accompanying press release quotes a research firm presenting these survey results:

* 60% (of 320 manufacturers surveyed) agree: 2D drafting is a commodity.
* 64% plan to download the free Solid Edge.
* Less than 50% paying for 2D will consider using the free software.
* 77% 3D users still use 2D.

Considering that the survey would probably have been biased in favor of UGS, I find the results interesting, such as:

* Sixty percent agree 2D is a commodity, but most would still pay for it.
* 1/3 would not consider downloading free CAD software.
* More than 1/2 would not switch from paid-2D to free-2D.

(Solid Edge 2D is not entirely free: while peer-to-peer support is provided free, support and automatic upgrades from UGS cost a couple hundred a year -- available only if you license Solid Edge 3D or NX. Plus, there is the expectation that you eventually buy their 3D software.)

Comments

[Randall Newton]

Nice number, but "nice" is a matter of perspective. At that rate of downloading, it will take SolidEdge 2D 833 years to match the number of downloads Google Earth reported in June.

[Solid Wedgy]

This is really a lame bait and switch. You'd have thought they'd have learned from Solid Edge Origin.

First, the install is incredibly laborious, over 230MB. Then the licensing is an awkward process of manually copying an SElicense.dat file to the Program directory Then after all the fun the product launches and says in bold letters at the top: Solid Edge 2D Drafting (Free Trial).

A free trial, how generous and creative. Give me a break.

They should have called this Solid Wedgy since the experience and resulting "free trial" is about as fun as getting lifted off the ground from behind by your underwear.

[ralphg]

Dear Solid Wedgy:

It's free. They get to insult you any way they choose :>