Alibre CAM to OneCNC Expert

[smokediver576]

Looking at pulling the trigger on OneCNC but want to get a warm fuzzy from those out there that have made the switch.

Been an Alibre CAM Expert (Visual Mill) user for a little over a year. Fairly good at working the program but am just not sold. Also, a little concerned over some of the changes at Alibre and have had issues with tech support on the CAM portion.

So, tell me I'm making the right choice. It's a pretty big chunk of coin for a shop that uses it's CNC (Fadal VMC15) only about 6 hours a week. Our desire is to start using the CNC more but we feel that the CAM software is one of the things keeping us from doing more.

Looking at getting OneCNC Mill Expert with 4th axis.

Later,
Awall

[kevh]

Hi

Alibre Modelling and Onecnc is a great combo!!

Havent used Alibre cam but from what i've read it aint the greatest for ease of use , but best bet is to get a demo off Onecnc to see what it can do and if it meets your needs.

Cheers Kev

[tgoy]

smokediver576

I use both OneCNC and VM pro. One CNC CAM is great, fast and easy to program, and their CAD, well. VM CAM is very good, however their CAD was only meant supplement the CAM.

Both programs, at times, work better than the other for some tool paths. This maybe could be said of every CAM program.

I use Shark CAD and import a STEP format into both CAM programs without problems. Changes can be made in an external CAD and imported back into the CAM program faster and easier than using their dedicated CAD in both CADCAM programs.

I do not have experience with Alibre CAD.

[helocat]

I see this thread is a bit dated but if it helps:

8yr Alibre user. Last yr bought AlibreCAM, started using it then took a OncCNC demo and executed the Alibre return policy the next day. I then bought (Yes more $) OneCNC Pro w/4th and have not turned back at all. The program is outstanding and well worth the $. I do my modeling in Alibre then tool paths in OneCNC. Great combo.

Mark

[CaptainVee]

In 2008 or so I upgraded to expert to get the cam which I thought I would need in the future. Indeed I did but when the time was there I was unable to get it working. I had to reinstall alibre, my initial install was ruined.

Now I am unsure whose fault it is that it did not work but for me a primary reason for buying expert was disappointing. And now that I know how limited alibre cam in the expert version is, I am definitely not going anywhere near the stuff again...

[scudzuki]

You can't base an opinion of AlibreCAM on the free super limited version included with AD Expert.

For $1000 (or less if you can make a deal) AlibreCAM Standard (like its sibling products Visual Mill Standard and RhinoCAM Standard) includes 2.5D and 3D MOPs. Name another package that does as much as for as little.

Joe

[CaptainVee]

I can and I do.

When I bought expert, cam was part of the promise. That promise was totally broken.

And I now use totally free cambam and for some situation free partcam which both outperform my version of alibre cam just by actually starting up.

And then the free software actually let me make stuff too.

Now it can be that there was something peculiar going on why the setup did not work but I tried very hard, with support of the local representative here in Holland.

In the end all he could do was say sorry, I am out of options.

If alibre had stepped up to the plate somehow I would not be looking in to other options in cad...

[scudzuki]

Perhaps they misrepresent the capabilities of the nearly useless CAM that is included for FREE with AD Expert, but you are not really in a position to judge the efficacy of their paid CAM product. If the inclusion of CAM was the deciding factor to go with AD Expert then you would surely be disappointed.

It is true that you are at a disadvantage support-wise using AlibreCAM outside of the US, unless you are lucky enough to buy it from a reseller with a good working knowledge of the product.

I tried CamBam and while it is a great free product it is not in the same league as AlibreCAM Standard (nor should it be).

Joe

[CaptainVee]

That is exactly the point.
CAM was the main reason for me to upgrade to expert. And to me CAM was included, NOT free.

It does not matter if one can expect quality for no money. If Alibre offers CAM for little money as part of a package than I expect some kind of quality, even if limited in use.

The free cambam IS better than the cam the threw in to the deal as an after thought, simply by starting up and letting me actually do some work.

If a brand does not deliver a promise, no matter how small that promise is, trust is broken....