For 2D and 2.5 D work SheetCAM is well thought of and at $159.00 it doesn't break the bank. You can get used to working with 2.5 (most work is 2.5D) and take some time to explore if and when you want to go full 3D. It's not a tiny step and the better 3D packages are not cheap. SheetCAM works seamlessly with MACH so you have no issues there.
Investigate Rhino 3D and MeshCAM before you rare back and write a whopper check (or even a Mini-whopper (:_)
BobCAD users seem to fall into two catagories: Those that love it and those that hate it. Not many in the middle. What you find is that it's the software that the user puts the investment into and really learns how to use it to produce parts, that they LOVE! BobCAD could never hold my attention long enough to want to invest the time.
In the vein of your quote you need to define what you NEED rather than what you think you need. Only experience will resolve that. Get experience as cheaply as you can. |