Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 12 of 30

Thread: Vcarve vs Artcam comparison?

  1. #1
    Registered
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    142
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Vcarve vs Artcam comparison?

    I am somewhat new with Vcarve program so would like any comment of advantage/disadvantage compare to Artcam?
    Any suggestion is appreciated it.
    Thanks
    J


  2. #2
    Registered
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Barbados
    Posts
    1186
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I have not used Artcam, but I can tell you that the first advantage of VCarve is the price; $495.00 vs $7500.00.

    Any further I leave up to Tony or Brian of Vectric to answer.

    Jason


  3. #3
    Registered
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    597
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Hi,

    VCarve Pro and ArtCAM are very different software products. ArtCAM Pro is used to design detailed 3D shapes such as coins and medals, decorative carved panels, jewellery pieces etc. and I have to say that in my experience it's the best product for this type of work when it comes to actually designing and machining.

    As with virtually all 3D design products the major overheads are the learning curve and times to design and machine You can create fantastic stuff if you have attended the training courses and spend many hours per week using the software. If you don't use it you will probably forget it. Although the sales people will always make it look quick and easy, the reality is often different. Having an artistic ability for 3D design also helps.

    VCarve Pro is very different in that it takes 2D drawings and designs and instantly converts them into toolpaths that will run pretty quick on the CNC machine and give the appearance of 3D carving, and as Jason mentioned at a fraction of the price. For reference the typical ArtCAM Pro package is US$7,500 + Training + Annual Maintenance which takes the price to around $10k.

    The key questions are - What do you need to design and machine and how large is the budget?

    I hope this helps,

    Tony


  4. #4
    Registered
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    142
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Thank you for your response.
    Very precise and clear explanation.
    J.


  • #5
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    198
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    anything in between

    It looks like both ends of the price and capability spectrum.
    Anyone know of something in between.
    The More I Learn The Less I Seem To Know


  • #6
    Registered
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    597
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    We are about to release a new 3D Model Machining product called Cut3D at $300 ($250 to existing customers) that will fill a little more of the gap, but this still relies on the user having a CAD modelling package or downloading files off the internet.

    For more information on see Cut3D Update

    I will post more details later,

    Many people use Rhino because of the price and it's very functional but as I mentioned earlier, 3D design takes time.

    Tony


  • #7
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    198
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Hi Tony ,Sounds great, I have almost completed my gantry type router and my plan is to do engraving from photo's . I will be purchasing VCarve but would also like to be able to do more realistic 3D like the head on a coin or medal, cameo and intaglio type work.
    I am in the queue for your new software
    The More I Learn The Less I Seem To Know


  • #8
    Registered
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    597
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Hi,

    I've been watching the Silo Forum and would recommend taking a look at this software for 3D modelling of coins and faces etc. I've no idea what it's like to use but looking at the models being designed it seems ideally suited for artistic 3D modelling.

    One of the Silo users 'Dasch' has created a couple of 3D models for us to use with Cut3D and you can see these models at,

    http://www.silo3d.com/forum/showpost...25&postcount=1
    http://www.silo3d.com/forum/showpost...17&postcount=1


    Tony


  • #9
    Moderator Switcher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    mydxf.blogspot.com
    Posts
    3665
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Tony Mac View Post
    We are about to release a new 3D Model Machining product called Cut3D at $300 ($250 to existing customers) that will fill a little more of the gap, but this still relies on the user having a CAD modelling package or downloading files off the internet.

    For more information on see Cut3D Update

    I will post more details later,

    Many people use Rhino because of the price and it's very functional but as I mentioned earlier, 3D design takes time.

    Tony


    That is Very Cool!

    Do you have any other samples already cut (photos)?

    This sample is great!
    http://vectric.com/images/snowtrooper.gif

    .


  • #10
    Moderator Switcher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    mydxf.blogspot.com
    Posts
    3665
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Tony can the models be made in silo?



    Edit: Never mind I'm slow posting.




    .


  • #11
    Registered
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    597
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    We used this 3D Studio model downloaded off the Internet to test
    the 2 sided machining with tabs, and it worked perfectly.

    http://vectric.com/images/CarAnimationLarge.gif

    The key to the multi-sided machining is aligning the material so the
    2 / 4 sides line up correctly.

    Tony


  • #12
    Moderator Switcher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    mydxf.blogspot.com
    Posts
    3665
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Any screenshots of the "3D Model Slicing"?









    .


  • Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

    Tags for this Thread

    Posting Permissions



    About CNCzone.com

      We are the largest and most active discussion forum from DIY CNC Machines to the Cad/Cam software to run them. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

    Follow us on

    Facebook Dribbble RSS Feed


    Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.