JST
Alibre Super User
Rather than bother with trying to classify the program versions by "use type", I would just FORGET all that guff. it gets straight into the issues you all just raised, which are not relevant to Alibre LLC.
Instead, just offer a clean, straightforward series of products, as many as makes sense, that each have a different set of included features. Different ones may offer an increasing number of features, OR they might offer a different SELECTION of features.
I could see a sheet metal oriented version that has what is needed to do sheet metal, but is not outfitted with a "general" 3D modeling set of features, for instance. That is a product that is quite possibly marketable to companies in the sheet metal business. (It may not be worthwhile to do the programming changes if the market is not large anough, of course).
There are other potential special purpose versions that are "industry specific". The kitchen design business, for instance.... That version has to have the BIP file output and Keyshot for rendering a photorealistic kitchen picture (see attached)
So, what you are "calling" the hobby version might be just a somewhat stripped down version with a part quantity limit. Why does Alibre LLC CARE about what it is used for, or who uses it?
Right... they do not. If you go to the trouble of creating the version, then DO NOT LIMIT YOUR MARKET. Sell it to anyone who wants it, for any purpose.
If you want to, you can create a "special user class".... same program, but for a higher annual maintenance, you get the right to upgrade at a discount to the next version up. People just lap up those "privileged user" classes.
Instead, just offer a clean, straightforward series of products, as many as makes sense, that each have a different set of included features. Different ones may offer an increasing number of features, OR they might offer a different SELECTION of features.
I could see a sheet metal oriented version that has what is needed to do sheet metal, but is not outfitted with a "general" 3D modeling set of features, for instance. That is a product that is quite possibly marketable to companies in the sheet metal business. (It may not be worthwhile to do the programming changes if the market is not large anough, of course).
There are other potential special purpose versions that are "industry specific". The kitchen design business, for instance.... That version has to have the BIP file output and Keyshot for rendering a photorealistic kitchen picture (see attached)
So, what you are "calling" the hobby version might be just a somewhat stripped down version with a part quantity limit. Why does Alibre LLC CARE about what it is used for, or who uses it?
Right... they do not. If you go to the trouble of creating the version, then DO NOT LIMIT YOUR MARKET. Sell it to anyone who wants it, for any purpose.
If you want to, you can create a "special user class".... same program, but for a higher annual maintenance, you get the right to upgrade at a discount to the next version up. People just lap up those "privileged user" classes.
