Newbie- Best Cam prog?

[greven2010]

Hi,
I am looking for experience of the best CAM software for Mazatrol 640 MT pro.

I've tried Mazak Camware, but did not like the interface.
Does anyone have experience with Gibbs, Mazacam or any other program.
The ideal would be to have the machine interface of a laptop PC and it could program the machine without being dependent on the machine.
My wish is to be able to import an Autocad. DWG file into the CAM program and get a Mazatrol program.
I have tried to Email Solution Ware, but received no response yet.

[programmer]

Geopath (MazaCam) is the best software for Mazaks by far!

[harley4ever]

You could try dolphin cad cam. It looks as if they have post processors for mazaks. If your looking for THE BEST you could try UG?

[GeorgeRace]

Don't know if you have checked it out, but CamBam sure does everything I need from drawing parts to producing G-Code. You can download their full version and get 40 full fledged trials before it limits the number of G-Code lines to around 300. Is a CAD/CAM program that has a nice forum as well as good support.
George

[jimiscnc]

geopath, solutionware and mazacam is actually the same company. (some may find that confusing)

griffo bros is in the same arena as solutionware, just to round out the list.

my vote is for solutionware, but i dont have much to back that up. just my opinion.

jim

[psychomill]

.... he's looking for Mazatrol format....

You've got (aside from Camware):

Griffo Brothers (Camlink)
Solutionware (MazaCAM)

[mbi]

I have been using Camlink (Griffo Brothers) for over 20 years. If you want to program in Mazatrol it works well. You can import in dxf format only for your 2d work. We did buy 4 seats of Geo Solid (Again Griffo Brothers). It works but in the Smoking Gun sort of speak for programming any quicker. It just has a few more bells and whistles. It does however allow you to import a solid from Solid Works. Camlink does have a weak Mazatrol to ISO translator to convert your programs to G code.