Alibre Design Expert V10

[Dave1]

I purchased Alibre Design Expert during their sale that will include an upgrade to V10 with it's integrated cam system. I've been after them to tell me what it's Cam capabilities will be. They tell me it will be a limited version of Visual Mill 5.0 basic. I contacted Visual Mill to get more specifics on what will be offered. Here's what they said (in a nutshell)
The cam part of V10 will be a limited (capability wise, no time limit) version of Visual Mill 5.0 basic, it will include) 2 axis profiling, hole making (drilling), deep hole making (peck drilling) 3 axis horizontal roughing, horizontal finishing and parallel finishing. You will be able to select regions, not sure of the creation of regions though, I think you can but I'll have to double check on that.
No pocketing but you can use the horizontal roughing option for that by defining regions. I then downloaded the Visual Mill 5.0 demo and ran it in basic using only the option that would be available in Alibre and I think they will have a good product for the price. So far I'm impressed with it. I was not at all impressed with Visual Mill 3.0 that came with Alibre, that was a great disappointment/disservice for both company's. It couldn't create regions so you really couldn't do anything with it. I think there "region" is a poly line, if you had another cad system that was capable of creating poly lines it would work.
Anyway, I have an email off to MecSoft asking about the creation of machining regions in Alibre Cam.
Dave

[Dave1]

My question to MecSoft,

Anita,
Talk with your tech person yesterday, thanks, he answered most my questions. I forgot to ask him about the creation of regions. Will the version of Alibre Cam be able to create machining regions?
Thanks,
Dave

Her reply,

Hello Dave,

Alibre design can create "sketches", which can be used in Alibre Cam for the operations.

The way I understand it is you would create a sketch and use that as your "region" for profiling or you can select surfaces for machining (that's what the tech said yesterday)

I'm looking forward to giving it a shot when it comes out, waiting patiently

Dave

[MichaelHenry]

Thanks for following up with MecSoft and posting the results.

I've been using SprutCAM, but have been thinking about trying out Visual Mill and didn't want to be contrained by a time limit so Alibre CAM seems like a good way to get a feel for the program. Did Mecsoft give you any idea on what it might cost to upgrade to the full retail version?

Mike

[Dave1]

No, they didn't. I'm not sure how it's all going to work out. They did say there might be a possibility of a reduced cost for an upgrade for more functionality. I'm wondering if the Cam part will run within the open Alibre window or if it will start another application like Visual Mill 3.0 does now. Alibre cam will not have any time limit in V10.
Dave

[MichaelHenry]

Dave,

The SprutCAM add-in for Alibre opens SprutCAM and automatically transports the part ready to start CAM operations and that's a really nice feature. I'd disappointed if Alibre CAM Alibre CAM doesn't have the same feature. In a month or so we'll find out.

Mike

[tjones]

It will count on what machine capabilities you need. With a limited program addon it will provide a good starting point or even be good for the home user. For larger companies it may not be enough to provide a full time solution.

When it comes out then we will see what is available but there will most likely upgrade options for a full version addon.

[tobyaxis]

I have been hearing great things about Alibre V10. Some of the new features are so good they are hard to believe. I was told under the strictest confidence so I can't spill the beans, but users will be amazed.

I'm actually considering the Expert Purchase. It looks like a very good deal with parametric power to boot.

Cheers!!!!!

[WOLOG]

I have had Alibre since version 7. I was not a fan of the limited time software bundle then and I still don't think certain software should be bundled with it. I think that Alibre is trying to get involved in something they are not prepared to deal with. Who will you contact for support of AlibreCam? Alibre or Mecsoft? I wish that Alibre would put emphasis on the modeling/drawing instead of a limited functioning add on.

[Dave1]

Toby,
I've been trying to get as much info as I can, I purchased it hoping the V10 version would be as good as they said, I can't wait. even if the cam portion is limited in functionality it don't matter, I was looking for 3 axis surfacing as the cam I have is expensive upgrade to the next level (Multi surface machining) so for a grand I got parametric modeling (solid upgrade in current cam is a grand also) plus I get 3d surfacing in Alibre Cam (horizontal roughing, horizontal finishing and parallel finishing) it's a win win for me. I was impressed when I called Matt at Alibre, he answered my questions and also did a conference call will MecSoft to answer more of my questions, kudos to Matt I say
So, who you been talking to eh?
Dave

[tobyaxis]

So, who you been talking to eh?
Dave

I can't say exactly, but can say that he is a Beta Tester and Power user. He roams these Forums too.

I have been using BCC V17-V21 for all of the work I do and just started using V2007. The new Machining options are great so I hear you on the Alibre Virtual Mill Module.

I imagine that 90% of all the CAD Companies will be doing the same thing soon.

Have a good one

[Dave1]

Toby,
I know you can't say anything, I was kinda being sarcastic????? I have a small project I've been playing in Alibre with, it's an old project out of a 1934 Popular Mechanics magazine, it's a small tap stand, I'm modeling it up, going to try the assembly module and the motion module. When I'm done with it I may post it for everyone to have.

Dave

[tobyaxis]

Toby,
I know you can't say anything, I was kinda being sarcastic????? I have a small project I've been playing in Alibre with, it's an old project out of a 1934 Popular Mechanics magazine, it's a small tap stand, I'm modeling it up, going to try the assembly module and the motion module. When I'm done with it I may post it for everyone to have.

Dave

That would be COOL Dave!!!!!! I haven't seen too much of the Animation abilities of any software.

That makes for a great fun project too. I can never stress enough to people that in order to learn it must be fun. Learning under the gun is only frustrating and counter-productive.

I look forward to seeing you work.

Cheers!!!!!!