[bobleecnc]

Hi guys whats the most user freindly cad cam software available
to date .And whats the best software for just running g-code Dos or Windows? Ive heard alot of good things about the Dos programs and also that they dont do constant cotouring very well and I've heard that some of the Windows programs don't work well because windows inerferes with the code thru the use of some sort of timers in the OS software .Is there a reliable software out there to run code that wont cost a fortune? Also I need to run 4 axis and need to do constant contouring I don't want any herky jerky movement. What would be the minimum controller software setup thats needed to do this?Do you need small step angles like .9 or smaller or can it be done with 1.8? thanks guys for your help.



Bob

[Bloy2004]

check out the review of Mach2 controller software posted elsewhere in this wonderful site. I've only tested demos of many controller softwares. Have Mach2 and so far it does smoothly what it is designed to do.

[bobleecnc]

thanks I'll check it out

[cadcam]

Are you going to use this on a home unit or a real shop envirement?

[bobleecnc]

I'd be using this at home on a 3x5 machine for sign making.I wouldn't be opposed to spending upwards of a thousand dollars if the software was trully user friendly and reliable,easy to configure and setup on my machine....Bob

[cadcam]

What type of shaps will you be cutting?
Would you say moslty 2d or 3d?

[bobleecnc]

It would be like image carving of bitmaps for sign making

[DaSigntist]

Howdy,
I'm in the same boat as for a need for sign software for routering.
I'm leaning towards Mach2 as it works pretty solid.
Another that I really like is www.deskcnc.com as it is very intuitive.
Just use gray shades for your depth . . . nice.

Regards,
DaSigntist

[cncadmin]

Deskcnc is ok but it does not have constant contour vectoring.

[DaSigntist]

Intresting.....
I would like to know what others use out there in CNCzoneland are using for signage routering.

I'm about a week away from a running machine and I'm ready to buy some software.

Vfontz and Vcarve are others I'm checking out too.
http://www.vectorcam.com

[imserv]

DeskCNC has continuous contouring by default. If you want to operate without it, you have to manually turn it off. It is very smooth and has no noticible difference between cutting a single line, an arc or a chain of entities. It has an external intelligent controller card that provides over 40,000 steps per second from a pentium class windows computer via the serial port. It also includes CAM programming capability for pocketing, contouring, and drilling, tracing, engraving, carving, 3D solid machining, etc.

Vfontz and Vcarvz were designed as accessories to VectorCam. They have capabilities not included in DeskCNC. Their only function is to create a 3D toolpath that results in a carved contour with corners sharpened with the tip of a V cutter. Both Vfontz and Vcarvz can create lettering from Tru-Type fonts, Vcarvz can also use DXF closed shapes to create raised islands with corner sharpening around the outer as well as inner perimeters. The cutter cuts deeper in sections of the characters that are wide and shallower in skinny sections. The Z depth is varied to exactly match the edges of the cutter with the outline of the letter with a single pass through the center of the letter.

Fred Smith - IMService

[ger21]

http://www.type3.com/

http://www.artcam.com/

They might be out of your price range, though.

Gerry

[mach3magee]

As far as user friendly goes, my money is on Esprit. Though it is the only CAM system that "I" know and use, I have a friend who is an instructor in SmartCAM, MasterCAM, SurfCAM, GibbsCAM, ThisCAM and ThatCAM and he believes Esprit to be more than a cut above the rest. It will set you back about $5500 for the 2-1/2 axis milling module (which is relatively cheap for the latest generation software). Drawing and creating features is a breeze and tools and processes can be saved and applied to new part drawings in a literal snap. Easy Money.

[Mortek]

Hey Guys,

I saw Bobcad 17 for sale on Ebay for $250. Great price for it's capabilities.

[cadcam]

I saw Bobcad 17 for sale on Ebay for $250.

I would check with Bobcad and see if this a legal buy.
And also check to see if it is a legal copy.

[Scott_bob]

If that is a legal copy and you can get support from the developer that is a good price. Boot leg software is not honest. A clear conscience is worth a lot more than 250 bucks yeh?

Scott_bob

[Mortek]

I bought a copy from this guy nearly 4 years ago. Bobcad supported it just fine. He is a licensed dealer.

[65-295]

We use mastter cam at shop but they got this powerstation from MSC tool catalog. They got pro-plus version At first I hated it but for the bucks after a while it is really OK. It did not replace master cam but is used on shop floor only. It will import from Master cam with no problem as I have had. It comes with Windgraver a lettering program, and Quick link a program transfer program I have never used either. I do not know the price but most likely not much because the shop I work for is basicly cheap.

P>S>
Jim reading over my shoulder just said free download of basic software for trial. he said it was not a bad program either.

[logos]

Samething here, enginering in another building and office got powerstation and built small cube in corner for computer. All we have is Mazak and they never did get powerstation to post for the m-plus control. I think it was awkward and gave up.

[Halfnutz]

Is anyone else familiar with Powerstation? Would it be a waste of 150.00 to buy the X-pert version on sale at Travers Tool? I just need something to get started with and I'm considering BobCAD V17 for 295.00, but I saw this Powerstation on sale for 150.00 and just wonder if anyone has any experience with it?