Mac CAD/CAM Finally!!!???? .....PLEASE HELP

[thedave]

I have been running and servicing Macs for 15 years, and also starting on CNC. If the intention is to make money, save yourself some time and frustration and just use Windows based CAD/CAM applications. To get the best of both worlds, set up boot camp which will allow you to run everything native. Then you can also use the Bootcamp volume with VMware Fusion to access the data when you need to do light work. This solution will allow you to choose how much horsepower you need without having 2 separate windows installs. As far as a machine controller goes, just get a cheap PC for that.

[Imacman]

Hi Guys... was just on looking at some old post from wayyy back when I got bitten by the CNC bug, so to speak..... welll.. since then I've bought some tools, Built a back yard workshop.... bought a milling machine, and a Metal Lathe.... and most importantly just finished my CNC build.... it's been a long road... and I just got the machine together last week, I still have to install my limit & home switches, and a few small tweaks and add ons. I've purchased a PC ( Uggggh...lol.. no offence intended ) and last week I bought Mach 3 and Cut 2D.... I wish I had bought Cut 3D as well.... but I'll find something similar... still hoping to use as much Mac software as I can find.... any suggestions now... ( ie.. 2 years later ) here are a few Pics of my build, in my shop.

Does anyone know if I can export Files from Sketchup and use them? preferably the 3D items?

Thanks

Imacman... Paul


Newfoundland

[Larken]

I'm beginning to be a Mac convert too. PC's will always have viruses as long as Microsoft leaves the doors unlocked. What profesional operating system would ever let a program modify the boot sector !! If you PC is connected to the internet its just a matter of time before it will be taken down by a virus. Even Win 7 is no better.

I'm working with the new Delphi XE2 that can cross compile to the Mac and even IPhone, so converting all my controller software should be easy. I've just got to get the Mac USB figured out .

My new Mac mini blows away a PC !

[Imacman]

I've got quite a few Macs, 27" Imac, 24" Imac, 17"Imac, Powermac Tower G5, Tower G4, 2 G3's, 2 Ibooks, 2 Ipads and a Few Ipod Touches...lol..... Wifey wants me to get rid of some of them...lol... I've had a Mac since the original Apple Macintosh" came out, I'm a freelance Graphic Designer, So it was the logical way to go.... The fact is, When I bought My first "Macintosh".... Thats what started my career as a Graphic Designer, So.. Mac Changed my life.

Now if only someone can come out with an all MAC cnc platform.

Cheers Paul

NL

[leftcoastcutter]

What amount of ram, video card and cpu do you have? I am looking at purchasing a macbook pro and would like to know specifics. Thanks

Originally Posted by gperrine I run Autodesk Inventor, Mechanical Desktop, AutoCad and EdgeCam on my Macbook Pro. I am using Parallels software as the virtual interface and Windows XP pro as the operating system. I run the same software on my Dell M65 laptop and can tell you the Mac outperforms Dell machine and is much more stable. I don't know of any windows applications that would not run with this setup. I can even VPN out through the windows virtual machine and transfer files when I'm not at the office. My computer frustration level is now at an all time low with the Mac ...now if I can just find a Post for EdgeCam and a Dynapath DMC500 mill with a Dynapath delta 2000 controller.