Buying the right design software?

[Boatbuilder NL]

I want to buy a design software program, have tried demo versions of Prolines and RhinoMarine. As I understand it, You can use Prolines to do the hull design but then You need a second cad program to do all the final design, and in RhinoMarine You can design the hull, deck, structures, fittings etc.?

I find Prolines very easy to use, but would be pleased to hear other users experience with these programs! By the way, I want to concentrate about RIB designs and workboat designs.

Thanks!

[CGN]

I use 4programs, in general a Hull modeler, a surface modeler a MCAD for parts and a CAD software

Freeship+Rhino+Solidworks or Alibre+Autocad LT or intellicad, works fine but any other combination will do the job.

Maxsurf, prosurf, Freeship +Rhino or Touchcad+Solidworks or Solid edge or shipconstructor (but you need to add Autocad full version)+CAD

There are software's that can probably handle all but is all about budgets and what really works, for example Freeship+rhino can be used to do all (hull design hydrostatics and structural including cnc and 3D modelling in general and about expander is a good "add on" to rhino but you still can create some developable surfaces using rhino so expander is not required.

All the programs i mentioned i have used and they do their part, again i think budget is important and for the type of boats you want any of the mentioned will do, i used prolines before but is not close to freeship or maxsurf or prosurf, it's a good software but i found the others more complete.

cheers