I am researching CAM programs like VisualCAM, BobCADCAM, DolphinCAM, Rams3D. I would appreciate any feed back on these or any other CAM program. Basic drawing, stable tool path creation and post processing to Mach2 are my requirements.

What's your price range, and for basic 2d or 2-1/2d parts? Or multi-axis complex surfacing?

'Rekd

I suggest you go have a look at Excalibur CNC

Greig
Motorcycle Performance Engineering

Check the Onecnc forum on this site for my opinion. :)

Hi,

I'm looking for recommendations for CAD / CAM software that is affordable and would be useful for inlay part cutting AND inlay pocketing. The software I am using (VectorCAM) works VERY well, but the process of creating toolpaths from drawings, PARTICULARLY for pockets that require multiple tool changes is too manually intensive for a job shop environment. I am especially interested in packages that generate GCODE with a Mach1/Mach2 POST and that would enable me to cut TrueType font names (ESPECIALLY the pockets) without a LOT of programming. Vector does all of these things well, but it is WAY too much work for one-off custom jobs for Musical Instrument Inlay. It would be nice if it integrated well with TurboCAD and CorelDraw also. I really only need 2-1/2D for this application.

jemmyell, I will suggest the software I use being mastercam but all you would need is a level 1.

Cad-cam consulting is your local dealer,I would suggest calling them and seeing about a demo.

this is alwas good with any software you are looking at.

Bring a project like you have been talking about and have them go thru it real fast for you .

you can contact them at www.cad-cam.com

Once you have done this and go and look at others take the same projet to the other softwares to see how they compare.

this will help with the botton line decesion.

Good luck James

Hi Cadcam,

A level-1 will do the multi-tool pocketing and GCODE generation for TrueType font designs? I've heard that MasterCAM is horribly expensive. I would need the CAD design tools, particularly the raster-to-vector converter and a POST for ArtSoft Mach1 / Mach2. I've heard that user's can NOT write their own POSTs for MasterCAM, is that true?

That said, the two leading companies in my industry are both MasterCAM shops. I believe there is a good reason for that, I just have the idea it's unaffordable for me.

Do they have educational discounts? Competitive upgrades?

I won't discuss price with you, buy you have some misconceptions about Mastercam.

It is not expensive, when compared to ANY comparable product. We're not talking about a few dollars either.

The design package that comes with Mastercam is incredible for a CAM package, and not bad compared to many CAD packages.

There is a ras2vec converter that you can get with Mastercam, for a reasonable price.

You MOST ABSOLUTELY CAN write your own posts for Mastercam. So much so, in fact, that I've seen posts that CREATE, MODIFY and OPEN excel spreadsheets RIGHT FROM THE POST PROCESSOR! It's almost unlimited what you can do with your posts. And Mastercam ships with tons of them right on the CD, that will usually do an acceptable job for the machine they were designed for.

Those other shops have Mastercam for a reason.

'Rekd teh enlightenment

jemmyell, Reked has answered most of your thoughts for me.

as for the Price you can contact me by email. I can give some info sense I am part of your local dealer.

But I can not put prices on the net sorry.

Hi Cadcam,

Ok I'd love to discuss the nitty-gritty with you. I have downloaded the MasterCAM Router package from your company's website. Please contact me by eMail to start the 'details' conversation. I'm not expecting cheap, but I do have limits on what I can spend. Your profile here on CNCZone won't let me send you an eMail through the board. My profile will, so I will wait to hear from you. Will you (personally) be at the Anaheim Woodworking show?

jemmyell, I will be at the MC booth on satuday.

Email is as follows cadcam@mastercam-cadcam.com
I will be around again tommorrow.