Originally Posted by
Ydna
I'd love for the graphics to be improved, personally. Although I don't expect it to happen anytime soon since the entire interface is laid out as a 2d program (IMO).
I've used several other "parametric" CAD packages that have CAM integrated, such as pro/e or gibbs, (or just straight parametric CAM) but they always disappoint me with the features they have or the level of control they offer. I've used surfcam quite a bit, which probably has more control compared to mastercam, but it's useless options in my opinion. I admit though I'm the type of guy that would love using a simple autocad version if it had CAM abilities :)
For the record my process is usually to draw the part using my parametric CAD of choice (Inventor) then import it to mastercam. I wish there were a viable solution for my particular case but I've tried the InventorCAM plugins and I find them to be laughable. Solidworks seems to have a larger add-on market including camworks, which I have demoed in the past, but even though it was better in some ways it was hindering in others.
I don't think there's a quick easy solution to anything, and I very much don't believe there is one superior program no matter what you're talking about (cad, cam, fea, whatever). If there were, it would obviously be CATIA or pro/e since offering integrated solutions was the entire reason why those two programs begun. But they suck at it.
IMHO anyway....