[neilw20]

If I don't like someones recorded message (or them) I record it on my fax message centre.
When they call me I hit the play button and they become quite confused.

[ImanCarrot]

Now THAT is neat Neil! Oh, I am SO gonna use that! nice one.

[neilw20]

This might become a very pollished performance considering the work you do.

[jemmyell]

Step 1. - Answer phone

Step 2. - "Say please hold a minute"

Step 3. - Set the handset down

Step 4. - wait 5 minutes or so then hang up.

repeat as needed.

-James

[orizaba]

I have been learning as I go with BBC, except for the occational unexpected shut down I am starting to really like the progam. It has a few limitations, but I know what they are and work around them. Knowing what I do now, I would do it again. BUT. I have not used any other program and I am not going to try another program, just in case...

I would like to know if the post processor can be edited so the plunge cuts can have a "peck" cycle like the drill cycle does. When I rough out a part, I will cut .180. During the plunge I get these long slivers of aluminum that wrap around the endmill and knock the coolent line out of the way. I get around this by editing the plunge cuts to "peck". I thought about pre-drilling but it will plunge it several places making the drilling complicated.
Any thoughts?

[tobyaxis]

Tobyaxis what happened to u???..U were the strongest man to recommend the BobCad software, Now u are talking Alibre????....

Lets just say more power, features, and functionality were needed for my business. Aside from the fact that V2007(aka V22) has been out for over a year without suitable fixes and having to use a friends Mastercam at his shop to get my work done, nothing that a switch in software can't solve.

Remember Business is Business and World we live in isn't going to wait for anyone. Personally I feel the switch was a Wise Business Decision.

Something to ask yourself is,"If you have a car that won't get you to work in the morning, are you going to keep it if you have the money to replace it???" NO, you will replace it ASAP.

Here is another phrase for you,"Time is Money"

Like I said before, it's too bad things ended up this way, but it did.

[DareBee]

I am NOT an Alibre user, but I strongly recomend you look at AlibreCAM or Alibre Expert (or one of the variations). It can be had for the price of BCC in certain configurations and I believe the full blown flagship isn't more than 2k.
If you don't need the CAD portion take a look at VisualMill 6.

Toby is just playing coy with U guys.

[nlh]

Darebee is right. People should really look at the prices on Visualmill and turn and compare those to what BCC charges are for new users. You may pay a few hundred more (you may get a deal and pay less) but the features that are packed in (that work) make other CAM software a much better deal than BCC. I have been playing with a demo of VM 6.0 and have to say I really like the interface and features. Seems to be very easy to pickup and use.

Don't want to plunge an endmill into your material on a 3D path?? With VM it's no problem, you can ramp, helical ramp, etc. So many different combinations. Plus you don't need a super computer just to make the basic functions work.

Also I believe with VM if I remember what correctly upgrades to newer versions were $300 (When I upgraded from V21 to V22 it was $600) and updates to existing versions, features, etc was free just like BCC.

[highspeedmazak]

I use several cad/cam package at work UG/nx6 at home solidworks and bobcad v22 pro and I will say for me bobcad has been fine. But I have v22 pro. I have used bobcad for a long time and over the years they have had their ups and downs over all it has a good price and does the job. You have to learn every bit of it or you will be upset it is like anything else if you dont know every bit of it you will be missing out and frustrated.

[DareBee]

I am a VisualMill 6 Pro user. I have been using VM since version 4 and my upgrades have typically cost $500. Service packs and unlimited tech support are free.
The CAM that is integrated with Alibre is VisualMill product.
Toby can give direct insight into Alibre if you ask him nice.

I just got an email from Alibre - 50% off on the Pro version!

[rardoin]

HSM- I agree that one must take the time to learn the program thoroughly in order to get the most out of it. But.....I have purchased the video training series which are ok for the basics but how am I to learn the intricacies of Bcad without an operating manual! I feel if you are going to tout your product as being so capable and the best thing since sliced bread then you should at least supply purchasers with an appropriately detailed guide on how to use the product. Bobcad has not done this. The only way to learn it seems is to post questions/problems on this site or call tech support. Seems to me that an appropriate operator's manual would reduce their tech calls and increase customer satisfaction greatly. V22 is the third iteration I have owned and my satifaction with the product is less with each upgrade. I am tired of constant unexpected crashes, poor tool library/selectability, grossly ineficient tool movements, incorrectly calculated tap feeds, incorrect G codes etc. etc. Sorry for the rant but I cannot recommend Bobcad for anyone after my experience with the product.

Robin A

[tobyaxis]

Tobyaxis what happened to u???..U were the strongest man to recommend the BobCad software, Now u are talking Alibre????....

Added note:
It Works for BOB!!!!!!!

I have switched to Alibre for CAD and am looking into Visual Mill Pro V6.0 for CAM.

Eventually a persons patients wears out and they move on. That's life.

[nlh]

I am a VisualMill 6 Pro user. I have been using VM since version 4 and my upgrades have typically cost $500. Service packs and unlimited tech support are free.
The CAM that is integrated with Alibre is VisualMill product.
Toby can give direct insight into Alibre if you ask him nice.

I just got an email from Alibre - 50% off on the Pro version!

Darebee I stand corrected on the upgrade price but still a good deal. From what I understand in regards to toolpaths, the only 3D toolpath that BCC V22 would have over the standard version of VM6 is the equidistant offset? Also is the bundled CAM with Alibre VM5 or 6?

Thanks

[DareBee]

Darebee I stand corrected on the upgrade price but still a good deal. From what I understand in regards to toolpaths, the only 3D toolpath that BCC V22 would have over the standard version of VM6 is the equidistant offset? Also is the bundled CAM with Alibre VM5 or 6?

It is possible that the standard version of VM has a lower upgrade price (whatever is listed on their site (MecSoft) is what it is).
You will have to ask Alibre or MecSoft what version is in Alibre. I don't know.
Toby has been playing with both versions recently he may know.

[tobyaxis]

It is possible that the standard version of VM has a lower upgrade price (whatever is listed on their site (MecSoft) is what it is).
You will have to ask Alibre or MecSoft what version is in Alibre. I don't know.
Toby has been playing with both versions recently he may know.

Alibre is using V5.0 where Mecsoft Visual Mill is 6.0

Either way Visual Mill 5.0 or 6.0 is a win win situation

[Swag]

Toby
When I talked to Alibre you could get
VM5 or for an added cost they are able to give
you VM6 ! Thats what I got the price on.

[cnczoner]

Well this is more than getting "even" with them by annoying them with funny phone calls etc. I just want my money back. I'd really like compensation for the time I spent trying to deduce the oddities in their program, but which should've figured out (and fixed) through their own testing, but I know not to expect that.

I tried the demo, but that does not include the CAM portion, which is where the major bugs and crashes are. They would not let me try it because of claims that they got sued by people who ran code that damaged their machines. But now I have come to realize that they did not want to expose the bugs in the application.

I was lied to and am being continually lied to with each phone call when they act like their listening to my concerns but don't actually have anyone call to resolve the issues. And now all I want is my money back. I should not have to pay any restocking fees because this is not a case of remorse -- this is a scam that I fell for, and I just want a reversal of the transaction. I want my money back. I paid $400 + shipping for Bobcad v22 Mill and Lathe, btw.

My big mistake in all of this was that when I purchased it, I told them that I would not get a chance to use it until a couple months later because I was moving, and I should've waited, so that I could have my credit-card dispute process to fall back on.

I am not a production shop, but whereas I can write the g-code easily for my simple parts, I just wanted an easier way to visualize the parts in 3D and have it create the g-code for me, to save me some time. And I was told I would get just that. It is in my personality to get pissed off by wasted money, because I work 25/8 (yes, that's a bit more than 24/7) and it hurts to see the $$$ go to scammers. I've spent multiples of that on other cad software (PCB cad to be specific) and to this day I smile at those purchases because I get reliability and value out of those software packages.

[djnbig]

I feel for ya cnczoner.. I wish I had stumbled upon this BobCAD section of CNCzone before I downloaded the flipin demo on the weekend. Monday morning I have a sales guy from BobCAD leaving 8!!! messages on my phone in a 6 hour period. First one starts off nice and professional seeking my business and what not. Each message that followed the sales guy got a little ruder and more impatient. In the end he was basically questioning me for not answering my phone all day and how I pretty much wasted his time, yet, he still wants to sell me his product. For some reason on Tuesday my caller display failed and the 727 area code didn't show up so I got caught on the phone with this jerk. After he finished his rap pushing all the features and flexibility on me, he offers me two user licenses for BobCAD mill including some support package for $1000 including all taxes. I can't believe the MSRP on this package is over 3 grand.

I expect to get hammered with calls tomorrow. sigh.

djn

[dertsap]

the unfortunate thing is this isnt the first thread of this sort and to be perfectly honest ,i have not seen any good results come toward anyone wanting a refund , the complaints are usually the same , bobcad's response is always the same ,the end result is usually the same , there are a lot of bobcad cd's being used as paper weights or frisbee's because people are stuck with them and dont know what else to do with them

[ImanCarrot]

Zoner, soz to hear of what sounds like attrocious business practice, but thanks for alerting me. At least one good thing has come of it- you've warned others. I shall definately not be going near it, not even with a 10 foot barge pole!