> Eventually CAD software vendors will be disrupted, but we're a long way from that point right now!
Not so sure we're that far off. Nobody really has much incentive to innovate in this space because it's so niche. If you're a believer in the version of the future where 3D printers are as commonplace as 2D printers are today, then this may all change.
Suddenly, 3D modelling skills are today's word processing skills (either for work or for fun), and there are a whole bunch of people working on coming up with innovative CAD solutions for the masses.
Siemens makes CAD packages. Dassault too. Autodesk does nothing but CAD packages. All in the top 20 of "software companies by revenue". PTC is number 42 and Bentley is 70 again CAD packages. It might be a niche, but it's pretty expensive niche then. Pure CAD companies Autodesk, PTC and Bentley made 2,5 billion dollars of revenue in 2014.
I would argue that SolidWorks has been doing a good bit of innovation. The fact that its been stealing more and more market share over time speaks to it.
Each new version of SW introduces new "features" (some genuinely useful, some shiny marketing gimmicks) and a host of new bugs. Software churn at it's best. Gotta release a new version to make money, just fixing bugs isn't profitable. Oh, and make sure file formats are not backwards compatible, even if for no good reason but to force upgrades.
Not so sure we're that far off. Nobody really has much incentive to innovate in this space because it's so niche. If you're a believer in the version of the future where 3D printers are as commonplace as 2D printers are today, then this may all change.
Suddenly, 3D modelling skills are today's word processing skills (either for work or for fun), and there are a whole bunch of people working on coming up with innovative CAD solutions for the masses.