master cam x4

[stk2008]

Hi all ive been looking at vids for this and it looks great but the price is mad for hobby fun.

what i want to know is there like a free home edition etc i realy want to learn it but cant afford this price.
so if any one knows of a version thats free etc please advise.

p.s

im not asking for the other kinda of free software if i wanted it i would not be here asking for a free hobby version.

cheers all

p.p.s

if there is not one what is free thats just as good.

cheers again.

[Matt Berube]

Hello,

There is something new this year in the "demo" version. It is now called the Mastercam X4 Demo/Home Learning Edition.

This is different than the old demo versions because it is fully functional (except post processing) and also lets you save your files. It is not licensed for industrial use but you may use it as a learning tool as you desire. The saved files are *.emcx which can only be opened in the educational/demo versions or by a dealer hasp. This means anything you create with the Demo/HLE version will not be usable with an industrial hasp.

I do not believe that you can download the Mastercam X4 Demo/HLE but I am quite certain that your nearest reseller would be happy to hook you up with a copy.

So it's not quite a "hobby version" because you can't post an .nc file but this version would be extremely helpful if you want to learn Mastercam.

Hope this helps.

[stk2008]

hi thank you for the reply so i can use this to only learn with it wont actualy output the required code to mach3 am i right?.

or will it work fully but only for learning/hobby use if so thats bloody awsome.

cheers

[Matt Berube]

Correct. As far as I know the demo/HLE will not create an .nc file.

[stk2008]

ok cheers well theres no point learning somthing i cant use so will looky at other cam programs.

could you suggest an all round one (free) hehe.

[Matt Berube]

Sorry, I don't know of anything free. Sent you a PM with some additional information.

EDIT: If you could find something for free would you trust it to drive your machine ?

[Superman]

This would apply for any reputtable software

If you do find one for free, it'll only last for 30 days and it could not be run on that PC again

You could go for a sly copy (free), but what do you end up with
-- learning by trial and error ( and still not do it correctly )
-- no support
-- no posts ( you gotta customise it all yourself )
-- risk of getting caught ( how much spare €€ do you have ?
and always checking over your shoulder )

So consider your choices carefully, narrow your choices down to suit your situation.
Many software Co's do have trial/demo software, use them
Talk to users, get their feedback

[stk2008]

hi yes a sly copy aint an option I'm not like that I'm not a risk taker plus its not fair on the companies.

yes very good point on if it free prob not to reliable to run my £2.000 machine.