SHEETCAM standard vs. TNG

[Torchhead]

The decision at some point will be more complex and eventually evolve into TNG will be the product to purchase going forward BUT the current SheetCAM is stable, works well (with a few quirks that have always been there) and for certain cutting processes is totally adequate.

As to TNG: There are a percentage of buyers out there that will just buy it because it's the "latest and greatest". There are a percentage of buyers that will find one or two features that they deem important enough to make it the correct choice. I don't like the idea of buying a release based on what it might have in the future. If some of the requests for features listed on the site are acted on then the decision process becomes more straight Forward.

This is NO WAY a denigration of SheetCAM. I think it's the most cost effective CAM software for 2D and 2.5D cutting (especially Plasma) available, and have stated so many times. Anytime a user asks for software recommendations for doing 2D or 2.5D routing, plasma, oxy-fuel, milling, etc my answer always been the same: SHEETCAM!

As for myself I continue to use SheetCAM older version on a daily basis for our production and testing. It's like an old friend and I can generate files in seconds. I will start using TNG soon since we have projects that involve LinuX and having a CAM program that runs on that platform will give us another arrow in the quiver of personal CNC control.

TOM Caudle
www.CandCNC.com