[Lee_G]

Bought a desktop cnc machine (4 axis)
Came with mach3 and a copy of mcam x4 (lathe1, mill3, router3, and wire1)
I am going to be using this machine for 3d embossing dies and wax seals.
Art add on would be the best option for the seal machining. Mastercam wants ridiculous money to go to the current subscription model for a hobbyist/side hustle machine. Anyone have contact info for their reseller that is readonable? I know this add-on is still in the system for this version somewhere…..
These guys are just as bad as gravograph with the whole “you have to upgrade”…….

[joeavaerage]

Hi,
Mastercam is uber expensive and always has been. It is very VERY good, but has a hell of a learning curve, but is nonetheless about the best pro CAM software on the market.

If you have a legit copy, all well and good. If you don't then I would avoid using it. Mastercam is very crabby about people using pirate copies of their software, if you get caught it will cost you a fortune.
I used Mastercam when I worked for a company that had it, and then for a short while used a pirate copy for my own use at home, but soon got windy about it and dropped it altogether.
That is when I started using Fusion, firstly free as initial trial and 'free for hobbyists', and then in the last four years as a paid subscription.

Fusion is good, not as good as Mastercam, but getting up there. It also has other modules, particularly Fusion Electronics for circuit boards etc, but also Finite Element Analysis both of which I use extensively.
In short Fusion Basic (about $500/year) gives me a very good and useful solution affordably whereas I could never afford Mastercam.

Craig

[Lee_G]

It is a legit copy, with the hasp taking up one of the very few usb ports on the old computer that i keep(old gravograph and vision engravers need xp or older to run) both of those also need a hasp…. Using OS/2 keyboard and mouse to keep usb use to a minimum….. already using a pci expasion for usb ports….

Art is in the software but not activated. It blows that they will not offer to let me pay to activate the add-on. Flipping greedy douchenozzles

[joeavaerage]

Hi,
if I understand correctly X4 is from approx 2004? Is that your understanding also?

If that is the case then the software is 21 years old and the expectation that it is supported is not realistic. Mastercam is produced and marketed to the pro industrial market and always has been.

CNCSoftware, the manufacturer of Mastercam is no doubt greedy, but then so is Autodesk (Fusion, HSMWorks), and Dassault Systemes (Solidworks), and Siemens (NX CAD/CAM) and all the rest of them.
If you rule off the list all those companies whom are profit motivated then then list gets very short indeed.

As I posted earlier I use Fusion, largely because it is affordable and does a pretty damned good job with engineering type projects, and fair for artistic purposes.

I have not used VCarve or Aspire, but they do enjoy a good reputation amongst users for artistic and decorative purposes. Excepting the trial versions, neither are free or even cheap, but
much more affordable than Mastercam.

I have attached a screenshot from the CNCCook Book survey. Overall it shows Fusion with the largest share and growing, with Vectric/Aspire a close second (and growing) with Mastercam third.
If memory serves CNCCook Book also did a breakdown by industry segment, and in the Pro Industrial segment Mastercam is still the leader.

Craig

[Lee_G]

2009. And it is stand alone. Like the system it will be used on . Air gapped no internet connectivity. Not interested in fusion. Using old computers that match the machine being operated with them.
They have the capability to generate or issue the code to unlock the art “upgrade”
They want everyone ising their software on the subscription model so the have recurring revenue from their users. It is greed. Pure and simple. Thanks for your input. Again, not interested in fusion or any subscription based software.

Hi,
if I understand correctly X4 is from approx 2004? Is that your understanding also?

If that is the case then the software is 21 years old and the expectation that it is supported is not realistic. Mastercam is produced and marketed to the pro industrial market and always has been.

CNCSoftware, the manufacturer of Mastercam is no doubt greedy, but then so is Autodesk (Fusion, HSMWorks), and Dassault Systemes (Solidworks), and Siemens (NX CAD/CAM) and all the rest of them.
If you rule off the list all those companies whom are profit motivated then then list gets very short indeed.

As I posted earlier I use Fusion, largely because it is affordable and does a pretty damned good job with engineering type projects, and fair for artistic purposes.

I have not used VCarve or Aspire, but they do enjoy a good reputation amongst users for artistic and decorative purposes. Excepting the trial versions, neither are free or even cheap, but
much more affordable than Mastercam.

I have attached a screenshot from the CNCCook Book survey. Overall it shows Fusion with the largest share and growing, with Vectric/Aspire a close second (and growing) with Mastercam third.
If memory serves CNCCook Book also did a breakdown by industry segment, and in the Pro Industrial segment Mastercam is still the leader.

Craig

[joeavaerage]

Hi,

not interested in fusion or any subscription based software.

I understand, and was very much of the same opinion........until I tried it, not because I wanted to, but rather that was the most affordable way for me to have some decent software.
I have since come to realise that its not as bad as I thought it would be, and it means I can have a software solution that otherwise would be beyond my means, so 'better a subscription than none at all'.
If you refuse the subscription model then you have to realise that takes away a lot of options.

It is greed. Pure and simple.

Yes, that is correct, and is that not like any other software business? If I were developing and selling software would I not be doing the same thing? If I want to make money, then yes, I guess so.

Good luck with your search.

Craig