ArtCAM substitute?

[Arnie]

Over the last year I've had a good look at a Rhino evaluation copy and also ArtCAM 6. Obviously they are very different programs for different purposes but I notice from the Rhino website that plenty of people are using Rhino for modelling things like decorative jewellery which ArtCAM users also do.

Are there any Rhino users out there who understand ArtCAM but use Rhino for modelling instead? My guess is that even though Rhino might do two and a half D releifs a bit slower, perhaps its more versatile with all those surfacing tools and the full 3D environment.

Rhino together with a CAM program might come in cheaper than ArtCAM. Are there any other ways that Rhino competes with ArtCAM that I havn't thought of?

[ger21]

You might want to look at this modeler, called Silo. $109 http://www.nevercenter.com/

[ynneb]

Thanks for the link Gerry. I am downloading the trial version now. Have you used this program yourself?
Will it also produce cutting paths like Artcam? Wow $109 bucks verses $12,000 ish. If it does a tenth of the stuff of Artcam, its a bargain.

[ger21]

It's not a CAM program. Just a modeler. I just mentioned it as a substitute for Rhino for a fraction of the price. Although it's more an alternative than a substitute. You'd have to use something like MeshCAM to create your g-code. But it looks like you could do some similar things on a much smaller budget.


The tech support is cheaper if you have only 500 customers. But they'll charge you extra for that anyway.

[kong]

Have you looked at virtual sculptor? It appeared in the product announcements a couple of weeks ago. Looks promising.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...&threadid=4472

[turmite]

Go here http://www2.rhino3d.com/resources/ and you will find a host of programs that are available for use with Rhino. I would check the ones that are plugins as i think they will open the Rhino files directly.

Mike

ps if you are looking for relief carving Meshcam and STL Works are two that are inexpensive. I am somewhat of an incompetent pc user and have had a little difficulty with STL setup but the support has been great and I am only using the 30 day free down load. I fully intend to support those companies that make their product affordable as well as giving a full working version for demonstration. Both of these software companies do that. Meshcam is relative easy to use and for me that means a lot.

[Arnie]

I'll have a good look at Silo. There's a photo on their site of a well modelled relief.
Virtual Sculptor looks good but getting closer to ArtCAM when the price returns to normal.
Meshcam I'll have a look at,
I couldn't find a link to STL works, is there one?

No one doing reliefs in Rhino?

Thankyou all.

[turmite]

http://www.imsrv.com


Sorry about that. Fred from IM seems to be a fine fellow. He has answered each question with understanding cause I am a newbie to this type programming. I love Rhino and am looking for the perfect cam package for it. Perfect is low cost, tons of features and free support! Oh yeah I almost forgot. THe software also has to have a brain cd that can be installed and then Idon't have to go thru the learning curve. I'm getting old!

Mike

another ps edited in!~ I forgot to mention two free 3d modelers that I have downloaded and am trying to use. First is Gmax from Discreet and when get thru the curve (learning) it will be a great. Here is a link to a site tht has 3,4 or 5 axis software desinged to run within Gmax http://www.rainnea.com/cnc.htm

The second software is Open FX It is open source and I have just now started tinkering with it but I like what I see so far. Both of the mentioned programs also include animation if you need it.

[grahamshere]

Well I think silo,vcarve,cut3d and any cad program will work just about as good as artcam or any of those expensive cad/cam programs for any small business or hobbyist , for about a grand for all this you cant complain. Maybe if your a big business then ya go for the big ticket item. May just me being cheap or just because i cant afford the big programs. Graham

[Dundee]

does any one use Enroute 4

[Kevin Waldron]

What is it that you would like to know. We have Artcam, Enroute, Rhinocam, and Aspire..... each has value depends on what you are trying to do.

Kevin

[grahamshere]

What's the difference between artcam,enroute and aspire they all do the same thing don't they? but aspire is like 6 grand cheaper.Which do you use the most?