# Ansys Motor-CAD, Designcenter Solid Edge vs Inventor Comparison

| | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 11 | 600 | 440 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (45.5% of reviews) | Small-Business (54.2% of reviews) | Mid-Market (42.7% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | Starting at $90.47 Per Month | $2085 1 year | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Ansys Motor-CAD

**Not enough data**

### Designcenter Solid Edge

Pros:
- Ease of Use (101 reviews)
- 3D Modeling (64 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Curve (47 reviews)
- Difficult Learning (46 reviews)

### Inventor

Pros:
- Ease of Use (2 reviews)
- 3D Modeling (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Assembly Issues (1 reviews)
- Complexity (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.1 (9 reviews) | 8.4 (435 reviews) | 8.8 (376 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.7 (10 reviews) | 8.3 (475 reviews) | 8.4 (377 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | Not enough data | 8.2 (258 reviews) | 7.9 (107 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | Not enough data | 8.4 (91 reviews) | 7.7 (99 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.1 (9 reviews) | 8.2 (405 reviews) | 8.1 (346 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | Not enough data | 8.8 (89 reviews) | 8.2 (94 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 10.0 (9 reviews) | 8.4 (423 reviews) | 8.3 (371 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Ansys Motor-CAD

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Designcenter Solid Edge

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Designcenter Solid Edge Design and Drafting XaaS

Price: Starting at $90.47 Per Month

Description: Get started quickly with part & assembly design, automated drawings, basic animation and rendering.

Key Features:
- 2D drafting
- Data import and reuse
- Basic 3D part design

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Inventor

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: 1 Year

Price: $2085 1 year

Description: Choose online store or reseller or call toll-free 1-844-821-0545.


[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Ansys Motor-CAD** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.2/10 | 115 |
| **Inventor** | N/A | N/A |

#### CAD to CAM

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **CAD-CAM Import** | Not enough data | 8.6 (100 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **CAM Data Exchange** | Not enough data | 8.4 (94 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **CAD/CAM Compatibility** | Not enough data | 8.4 (95 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### CNC Programming

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **CNC Workflows** | Not enough data | 7.9 (85 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **CNC Feature Recognition** | Not enough data | 7.9 (83 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Programming Control** | Not enough data | 8.1 (82 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Machining

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Job Set-up** | Not enough data | 8.1 (93 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Operations** | Not enough data | 8.1 (93 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Tooling and Toolpaths** | Not enough data | 8.4 (92 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### General-Purpose CAD

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Ansys Motor-CAD** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.5/10 | 193 |
| **Inventor** | 8.2/10 | 38 |

#### Design

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Drawing** | Not enough data | 8.9 (183 reviews) | 8.6 (37 reviews) | 
| **Modeling** | Not enough data | 9.0 (185 reviews) | 8.9 (37 reviews) | 
| **Visualize ** | Not enough data | 8.7 (179 reviews) | 8.5 (38 reviews) | 
| **Rendering** | Not enough data | 8.1 (171 reviews) | 7.6 (35 reviews) | 

#### Edit

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **File Import ** | Not enough data | 8.5 (176 reviews) | 8.2 (37 reviews) | 
| **Push/Pull** | Not enough data | 8.3 (167 reviews) | 7.4 (36 reviews) | 
| **Views** | Not enough data | 8.6 (176 reviews) | 8.0 (37 reviews) | 
| **Grips ** | Not enough data | 8.4 (167 reviews) | 7.7 (36 reviews) | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Annotate** | Not enough data | 8.5 (170 reviews) | 8.1 (36 reviews) | 
| **Documentation ** | Not enough data | 8.7 (176 reviews) | 8.6 (36 reviews) | 
| **Data Extract** | Not enough data | 8.3 (170 reviews) | 8.2 (36 reviews) | 

### Additive Manufacturing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Ansys Motor-CAD** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 7.9/10 | 97 |
| **Inventor** | N/A | N/A |

#### File Support - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **STL Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.8 (86 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **3MF Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.3 (68 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **OBJ Compatible** | Not enough data | 8.3 (76 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### File Editing - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Mesh Repair** | Not enough data | 7.8 (76 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File Editing** | Not enough data | 8.5 (80 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Software Integrations - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Standalone Slicer** | Not enough data | 7.7 (66 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Inetgrated 3D Modeling** | Not enough data | 8.6 (83 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Software Type - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Cloud-based Platform** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | 
| **Downloadable Application** | Not enough data | 8.4 (74 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | 6.2 (28 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | 6.2 (28 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Building Preparation - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Material Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Building Simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Slicing Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Simulation & CAE

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Ansys Motor-CAD** | 8.6/10 | 9 |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 8.1/10 | 103 |
| **Inventor** | 7.5/10 | 20 |

#### Design

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 8.9 (9 reviews) | 8.7 (98 reviews) | 9.0 (20 reviews) | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 8.9 (9 reviews) | 8.6 (98 reviews) | 8.6 (20 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | 9.1 (9 reviews) | 8.6 (96 reviews) | 8.7 (20 reviews) | 
| **Rendering tools** | 8.7 (9 reviews) | 8.0 (95 reviews) | 7.6 (19 reviews) | 

#### Tools

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Fluid analysis** | 9.0 (8 reviews) | 7.7 (81 reviews) | 5.6 (16 reviews) | 
| **Finite element analysis** | 8.9 (9 reviews) | 8.0 (87 reviews) | 7.5 (19 reviews) | 
| **Multibody dynamics** | 8.7 (9 reviews) | 7.8 (83 reviews) | 7.1 (17 reviews) | 

#### Work

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Discrete event modeling** | 8.5 (8 reviews) | 7.8 (83 reviews) | 6.9 (15 reviews) | 
| **Continuous event modeling** | 8.8 (7 reviews) | 7.7 (83 reviews) | 6.8 (15 reviews) | 
| **Mechanical event simulation** | 8.1 (9 reviews) | 7.8 (84 reviews) | 7.2 (16 reviews) | 
| **Manufacturing process simulation** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 7.7 (77 reviews) | 7.6 (14 reviews) | 
| **Integrate** | 8.1 (8 reviews) | 8.0 (84 reviews) | 7.6 (16 reviews) | 

#### Environment

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 8.3 (8 reviews) | 8.1 (89 reviews) | 7.7 (17 reviews) | 
| **Task** | 8.5 (8 reviews) | 8.0 (90 reviews) | 7.7 (18 reviews) | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 8.5 (9 reviews) | 7.9 (85 reviews) | 6.9 (18 reviews) | 
| **Command Clarity** | 8.3 (9 reviews) | 8.6 (92 reviews) | 8.1 (19 reviews) | 

### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Ansys Motor-CAD** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter Solid Edge** | 7.8/10 | 125 |
| **Inventor** | 9.0/10 | 6 |

#### Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | 8.6 (105 reviews) | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Rendering Tools** | Not enough data | 7.7 (94 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | 8.4 (97 reviews) | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | 8.3 (95 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Text Editing Tools** | Not enough data | 7.5 (91 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Export Files** | Not enough data | 8.1 (96 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Import Files** | Not enough data | 8.2 (96 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File Interoperability** | Not enough data | 7.8 (99 reviews) | 9.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Backwards compatibility** | Not enough data | 7.3 (91 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File size** | Not enough data | 7.4 (100 reviews) | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 

#### Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Custom Commands** | Not enough data | 7.8 (91 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Scripts** | Not enough data | 7.4 (89 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Menus** | Not enough data | 7.6 (90 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Interface** | Not enough data | 7.6 (97 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | Not enough data | 7.8 (94 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Task-based interfaces** | Not enough data | 7.9 (91 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | 7.7 (91 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | 7.9 (104 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae)


**Unique to Designcenter Solid Edge (4):** [Additive Manufacturing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing), [Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/computer-aided-manufacturing-cam), [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)

**Unique to Inventor (2):** [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Ansys Motor-CAD | Designcenter Solid Edge | Inventor | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 45.5% | 54.2% | 35.0% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 36.4% | 30.4% | 42.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 18.2% | 15.4% | 22.3% | 

### By Industry

#### Ansys Motor-CAD

- **Automotive:** 45.5%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 18.2%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 18.2%
- **Defense & Space:** 18.2%

#### Designcenter Solid Edge

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 21.4%
- **Automotive:** 12.6%
- **Design:** 9.0%
- **Machinery:** 5.8%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 3.8%
- **Computer Software:** 3.8%
- **Manufacturing:** 3.6%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 3.1%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 2.3%
- **Higher Education:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 32.6%

#### Inventor

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 24.9%
- **Machinery:** 7.8%
- **Design:** 7.1%
- **Construction:** 5.0%
- **Oil & Energy:** 3.8%
- **Utilities:** 3.8%
- **Automotive:** 2.6%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 2.6%
- **Industrial Automation:** 2.4%
- **Education Management:** 2.4%
- **Other:** 37.7%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Ansys Motor-CAD

- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (770 reviews)
- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [SimScale](https://www.g2.com/products/simscale/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (279 reviews)
- [CATIA](https://www.g2.com/products/catia/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (255 reviews)
- [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (200 reviews)
- [Simcenter 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/simcenter-3d/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (192 reviews)
- [Simcenter STAR-CCM+](https://www.g2.com/products/simcenter-star-ccm/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (177 reviews)
- [Altair SimSolid](https://www.g2.com/products/altair-simsolid/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (178 reviews)

### Alternatives to Designcenter Solid Edge

- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (200 reviews)
- [CATIA](https://www.g2.com/products/catia/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (255 reviews)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1934 reviews)
- [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (191 reviews)
- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews)
- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews)
- [FreeCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/freecad/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (61 reviews)

### Alternatives to Inventor

- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews)
- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (200 reviews)
- [IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/ironcad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (43 reviews)
- [CATIA](https://www.g2.com/products/catia/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (255 reviews)
- [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (191 reviews)
- [FreeCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/freecad/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (61 reviews)
- [SolidWorks Simulation](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-solidworks-simulation/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (60 reviews)
- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews)
- [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (525 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Ansys Motor-CAD

- Title: [Is there an automatic way of calibrating thermal model towards measured data?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/46356-is-there-an-automatic-way-of-calibrating-thermal-model-towards-measured-data) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hello

Yes, this can definitely be automated, and Its useful to do so. 

A few possible options. First of all look at the tutorial "DC Calibration",..."

### Designcenter Solid Edge

- Title: [Is Solidworks or Solid Edge better?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-solidworks-or-solid-edge-better) — 4 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Solidworks"
- Title: [Is Solid Edge free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-solid-edge-free) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "No"
- Title: [What is Solid Edge used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-solid-edge-used-for) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "It is used for 3D modeling as well as drafting."
- Title: [What file type does Solid Edge use?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-file-type-does-solid-edge-use) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Solid Edge uses proprietary file formats with specific extensions similar to other 3D CAD systems.  Those are:
.ASM = Assemblies
.PAR = Parts
.PSM = Sheet..."
- Title: [Is Solid Edge good?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-solid-edge-good) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Very Good"

### Inventor

- Title: [What are some of the best practices for students working in groups to use Inventor?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-some-of-the-best-practices-for-students-working-in-groups-to-use-inventor) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi, to be honest with you, I would work with a consultant on that. It shouldn't take more than a day for a consultant to help with a report that will answer..."
- Title: [How do you handle the data creation problem?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-you-handle-the-data-creation-problem) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "You basically need to create each model from scratch in Inventor. You can copy your AutoCAD in Inventor and extrude the models but the models won't be..."
- Title: [Is integration with other Autodesk products being considered?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/15145-is-integration-with-other-autodesk-products-being-considered) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Autodesk published a video on how to export Inventor parts to Revit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue7-WtyiUtI"
- Title: [Is there a good place to look for more advanced tutorials/examples for iLogic?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/13895-is-there-a-good-place-to-look-for-more-advanced-tutorials-examples-for-ilogic) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "I'm not aware of a flat out repository for examples, but there is a fantastic thread on the Inventor forum that showcases a ton of different examples. If you..."
- Title: [there is a form to get more realistic renders from inventor?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/12147-there-is-a-form-to-get-more-realistic-renders-from-inventor) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Max can load Inventor files natively, so that's certainly one option.

The render engine in Inventor is pretty good, though. There is a great deal of ..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-motor-cad-vs-designcenter-solid-edge-vs-inventor)