AutoCad is not very very good to make simulation. –Jon

Memcad is made by Microcosm (who I happen to work for). It is a suite of workflow guis and simulators (solvers) and a layout (CAD) tool. We also offer design consulting.

The rest should be taken with a grain of salt since I am not as familar with our competition as I probably should be. This post is also made in an unofficial capacity. This is what I know and does not reflect the view of my employers.

Intellisense has solvers, a layout tool, and a foundry. They were recently purchased by Corning for their foundry experience.

MemsCap distributes a layout editor by tanner. My understanding is that they don't actually have their own software are more interested in technology licensing type deals. It doesn't look like that is the case on their web page though.

Ansys sells a variety solvers.

I'm glad you're making money.

Which leaves the question open: what makes for excellent MEMS software?

In other areas of software with which I have more familiarity, lots of people dislike (to the point of can't bring themselves to use) AutoCAD, but AutoCAD still has a huge percentage of the market. Does that make AutoCAD excellent? Ask Burt Rutan — he uses Ashlar Vellum. It "doesn't get in his way."

But market lock in has pretty much occurred. Newcomers see AutoCAD as a meal ticket and/or blame themselves for having a hard time with the peculiarities of the software. It would be a pity if the same sort of thing happened all the way down.

I won't say which is best at making MEMS Software, because they are my competitors. But 3 companies are doing very well, in investment and in selling.

I assume Jon was referring to the software available at the website that appears next to his user number:

http://www.atomasoft.com/

Perhaps he works there? Perhaps he was referring to his own software?

Or were you aware of this?

It would be quite helpful if you would give the name(s) of any MEMS software products that you consider excellent, and tell us why it's good and what it's better than.

URLs would also be helpful.

I agree the title was somewhat misleading; it should have read "Open source CAD code useful for MEMS?" Perhaps Chris P could change the title to reflect this.

Hi, I don't know why NanoDot puted this article in the MEMS Section, there is no big relation to do with that Cascade and the MEMS Industry. MEMS Software are very exelent and allow to companies to save million of dollars. Just understand that. –Jon