New Router, I use solidworks, which CAM prog??

[srmaietta]

Hey all, Im getting my Router up and running pretty soon, and am now trying to decide on what program to use to turn my Solidworks files into gcode to run on my machine..

Is there anything thats good for under $100?? the though of shelling out $500, $1000 on another program makes me sick..

thanks for any links, tips or info!!

~Steve ( )

[latheman]

You can purchase V carve suite fairly cheap, I believe under $1,000.00. You get a nifty little suite. By the way that is dirt cheap for any cam software, go price artcam, mastercam art and the other high end cam packages, ouch!!!

[srmaietta]

well, ya know I think Im going to try a few freebies and see what works for me and what doesn't.. then I can ask some more specific questions and home in on something to buy.. I realize that the software is a third of the equation (the machine and my human brain are the other two thirds) so it's not going to be cheap if I want quality.

problem is that I want to do all types of work! Engraving, photo carivng, 3d parts, signs.. the whole nine.

Is there a package that combines basic CAD with CAM AND stepper driver software? that would be a nice starting point....


thanks again
~Steve

[latheman]

Look into Mach 3 software for all your display & interface issues, I guess you should find what works best for you and your hip pocket.