I have been using AutoCad since 84/85. Used the full version while working but since retiring can't afford it. Now use AC LT 2006. While working, most of my engineering was done in 2D as it was mostly mechanical and structural and most fabricators didn't understand or use 3D. Now that I am purchasing a new CNC machine, I will need 3D. I purchased a copy of IntelliCad but didn't care for it too much after using ACAD so long.
I have downloaded a trial copy of both BobCad and RhinoCad. I can get around with difficulty in BobCad. It seems that RhinoCad is more ACAD like and easier for me to use.
I would appreciate any suggestion or comments. This is to be used for some light R&D and hobby work. Too old to get serious about any business ventures, but want to keep the old brain active.

The big question is what are you really trying to do? CAD modeling or CAD/CAM? What CAM padkage are you using with Rhino? I have Rhino and it is great but I don't have the money for the additional CAM system on top of Rhino.
You need to ask yourself some questions about what products you are going to produce. Are they truely 3D shapes with curved/rounded surfaces or more 2.5D with curved edges and only a change in depth? What you are cutting has a lot to do with what you should get. Complex 3D surfaces will definitely be easier to model in Rhino but I know nothing about RhinoCAM to generate the actual Gcode program. Curved surfaces = ball mills = lot of paths = lots of time!
Don't get stuck in the 'It is not like ACAD' or 'Not like what I am used to using' because you will shut yourself out of a large market. You are going to have enough issues and problems when you go to the CNC side to cut everything properly. CAD/CAM is not an easy artform. You learn through experience, the program does not do everything for you. Start low and perhaps upgrade later if needed.
Don't take this as a negative. You just really need to evaluate what you want to do.

mc_n_g

BobCAD is not a Parametric CAD System. It costs a lot less than Most CAD Packages but has an Intigraded CAM System. You need to look at what you want to make to decide on what you want to buy.

Look at their website. You can get BCC at a price lower than the advertisement too. Just haggle a bit and cry poverty.

http://www.bobcad.com/features_v21.html

BCC user since V17, V19, V20, V21.

Cheers!!!:rainfro:

Try the free version of Alibre. After registering you can output to Bobcad in a step format and it will give you many new ways of designing parametrically.

The free version is limited in a few respects but will do a large part of what Bobcad will not do. Together they make a good team.

https://www.alibre.com/products/


Download the Xpress version and have some fun.

For you guys that have Rhino and no cam, take a look at this offer from Madcam........I think it's about as inexpensive as you can get!

http://www.ob.com/catalog/no-charge-madcam-competitive-upgrade-p-200.html

I use Madcam with Rhino and love it.

Mike