Low cost CAD/CAM Solution with MasterCAM style and feel

[Nastyzen]

So far I like my EZcam starter package for$1400.00, with one day tutoring in my case.I can draw my part, make a tool path,generate G code and then watch the machine make the part.WOW
Then after a while I make the changes to speed things up a little.
When I first got my Colchester Storm A50 lathe and my Comet Mill with Dyna 50 controller,I swear I did not even Know how to turn them on let alone make em mouve not to mention the sleep disorder....
I,m a welder by trade but picked up machine shop skills as well as conventional lathe, mill machines over the years.so you could say I had a head start for the machining aspect of it, but I had no clue as to this x y z G code stuff.Steepest learning curve in my life ever.....Spouse had me sleeping on the couche I twitced so much....Oodles of parts had to be drawn,made n deliverd.Aahhhh
But fortunatly the machines came with EZ Cam.Once I had the one day training on the lathe(conversational)Mill and software and understood the basic idea of what I was doing and why. I could generate code and then modify it to suite the purpose at hand.
I have not used any othr software than EZ Cam but from what I've been reading in these forums it seems pretty powerfull for the money.Sure it's not perfect but neither am I.
You can draw it like most other software I guess.Create toolpathes and then simulate them in 3D,just like a little movie(I'm impressed every time still)Once I'm satisfied with what I see I post a G code and voila le tour est jouer!
I kind of like this idea of a homebuilt router/plasma table.I don't know if EZ Cam can generate code to run it though.I guess it would depend on the controller used.As I have not made enuff research on this one I'll leave it for now.
I am seriously thinking of mouving up to 3 axis machining maybe EZ-Cam 16 which even does 4 axis for mill and y axis for lathe.EZ Cam is based on Rhino.
I've already invested in what seems to be not too bad and for a bit more$$ should in theory have a package that I could make anything with.?
Does anyone out there use EZ Cam?Is there an affordable or comparable software?
Catia would be my dream software.
Claude

[HuFlungDung]

Originally Posted by harley4ever Not a onecnc user or a mastercam user. I use dolphin cam myself but, with all due respect, I would prefer mastercam over onecnc any day. It is kinda crazy that mastercams entry level is $3300 vs onecncs $3500. Why in the world does one cnc cost more than mastercam? I have seen both and dont think onecnc can touch mastercam.

For a $200 difference, they both bear looking into and comparing the features and the interface. Hearsay doesn't count for much when you are looking for the best fit.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by HuFlungDung Since buying software is something like buying shoes, one particular brand may be a really good fit, others, not so much. There is something out there for everyone

This is the best advise that can be given to anyone buying CAD/CAM Software for the first time.

Cheers Hu