ARTCAM versus FUSION360 for a NEWBIE HOBBYIST

[Tomcat104]

I am looking at ARTCAM or FUSION360 for my CAD software. I am a NEWBIE (disabled) and a hobbyist at that.

MY first observation of the 2: ARTCAM is easier to learn buy a subscription service... FUSION360 is FREE to hobbyist but a lot harder to learn.

Please way in with ANY opinions!

This is only my FIRST observation, I own neither one yet.

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[ger21]

That depends on what you want to do.

While there's a little overlap, the two programs both excel at different things.

ArtCAM is targeted more towards woodworkers and signmakers, while Fusion is more of a mechanical type program.

My personal opinion, is that you can get g-code out of ArtCAM quicker and easier, as it doesn't have the million different settings that Fusion has.

There is no one CAD program that does everything well.

I use 4-5 different CAD/CAM programs, from Fusion 360, to Aspire. But 90% of what I do are done with simple 2D drawings and basic CAM, like Cut 2D.

[Tomcat104]

Thanks!

I will do mostly 2D and 2.5D out of wood. Sounds like I need to do more software investigating.

Can you recommend a few software packages that I should look at?

I'm not rich so I need to try and just start with one and then slowly work my way up as needed.

What is your opinion of VCarve? That's the only other software that I've heard of.

[ecurb5]

Thanks!

I will do mostly 2D and 2.5D out of wood. Sounds like I need to do more software investigating.

Can you recommend a few software packages that I should look at?

I'm not rich so I need to try and just start with one and then slowly work my way up as needed.

What is your opinion of VCarve? That's the only other software that I've heard of.

I have vcarve pro and it does everything I need. And it's easy to learn and use. If you only intend to do things less than 25"x25" then vcarve desktop may make more sense.

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[Tomcat104]

Thanks!

I imagine most of my work will be 24"x24" or smaller though I bought a 24"x48" router.

Do you know if you can buy the VCarve desk then upgrade to Pro if & when necessary?

That would sure seem like the best way for a hobbyist. And by best I really mean cheapest.

[ecurb5]

Thanks!

I imagine most of my work will be 24"x24" or smaller though I bought a 24"x48" router.

Do you know if you can buy the VCarve desk then upgrade to Pro if & when necessary?

That would sure seem like the best way for a hobbyist. And by best I really mean cheapest.

Yes you can upgrade from desktop to pro for an additional $349.


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[daniellyall]

Sinces you said you're disabled get fusion as well, there are a lot of little ades you can buy to make life a little bit better but they usually cost a stupid amount, you can use fusion to reverse engineer whatever it is and re make it so it fits you, I do it all the time, a able bodied person can't get it bang on only the disabled person can.

Vcarve desktop or pro are easy to learn and use.

[ygorek]