recomend cad/cam software for sculpture prof

[bfreedland]

I am looking for recomendations for cad and cam software. I am a sculptor and professor so I would qualify for and educational discounts. Currently I have a sherline mill I have converted to cnc via xylotex and mach3 and I have nearly finished building a cnc router. I intend to do a lot of work scanning objects via a touch probe I have set up for both the mill and router, and I am particullary interested in digitizing objects, combining them on the computer, and then outputing back to the mill or router. I do have a grant to pay for some of my indulcences with this, but the less I send on software, the more I will have to spend on delrin, wood, alumnum. . .
I have little a experince with 3d modeling software, and no experince with cam software, so the ability to be able to read books and easy to find support is important.

thanks in advance
-barry

[Dan B]

You may want to look at Rhino, and either RhinoCam or VisualMill from Mecsoft.

Rhino has the ability to import points from a variety of touch probes (MicroScribe, Faro etc.).

The Mecsoft products are well supported, from what I have observed.

www.rhino3d.com
www.mecsoft.com

Dan

[turmite]

You might also want to look at Madcam as the cam for your new Rhino!

Mike

[ger21]

If you want tp try a 3D modeller that actually works a little like sculpting, check out Silo at www.nevercenter.com.

But, I'll agree with the others that Rhino will probably be your best bet for bringing in digitised models.