Which cad/cam software?

[cnc rider]

Hi all!
This is my first post.. I love this forum it´s a great well of information!!
And to all knowledgeable people here I would like to ask a few questions.

I´m in the midst of deciding which cad/cam software to buy.
I´m going to use it for guitar design and manufacturing.
The software I´m choosing between are a Rhino/Visual mill combo
or the BobCad V20.... The BobCad is about half the prize.... But is it as user friendly and capable as Rhino/Visual mill?

[Death Adder]

I wouldn't choose BobCAD over Rhino. BobCAD's interface leaves a lot to be desired.

Yes, BobCAD is cheaper but there is a reason for that. Rhino is exceptionally good w/ organic shapes and free form modelling. Guitars fit into that niche quite well. BobCAD is really only good if you plan to do 2D only. Once you start getting into 3D work you will really appreciate going w/ Rhino over BobCAD. Rhino is so nice and intuitive to use that you'll wonder why anyone uses anything else. There are good reasons to use other software as well as rhino. It's mechanical drawing capabilties and solids capabilities are either non-existant or weak. I can't see you running into any of those things however. It is #1 in my opinion for modelling a shape to prepare for milling.

I don't have visual mill so I can't comment on that. But I can't imagine it's quite as low end as BobCAD so you'll still probably be further ahead.

The bottom line is that Rhino/VisualMill is a much better software package if you have the money. If you can spend it then buy it. If money is really tight then maybe BobCAD is the way to go but don't say I didn't warn you. My opinion: Is BobCAD as user friendly? Not by a mile (or 50). Is it as capable? Not in 3D work it isn't. In 2D it probably is better.

Originally Posted by cnc rider Hi all! This is my first post.. I love this forum it´s a great well of information!! And to all knowledgeable people here I would like to ask a few questions. I´m in the midst of deciding which cad/cam software to buy. I´m going to use it for guitar design and manufacturing. The software I´m choosing between are a Rhino/Visual mill combo or the BobCad V20.... The BobCad is about half the prize.... But is it as user friendly and capable as Rhino/Visual mill?

[rustyolddo]

Give the folks at OneCNC a call first and set up a demo.

I would gravitate towards Rhino instead of the other way.

Unless you have extensive CAD experience, you won't be happy with BobCAD. Learning "curve" is a vertical line.

[cnc rider]

Thankyou guys! I will definately take a look at OneCNC. It looks interesting.

[rustyolddo]

Originally Posted by cnc rider Thankyou guys! I will definately take a look at OneCNC. It looks interesting.

I'll tell you this, OneCNC is about making parts fast. There is a reason it's called OneCNC and not OneCAD/CAM. If you're not already proficient in CAD/CAM, OneCNC is for you. You'll be making parts from your prints & drawings in hours instead of weeks.