[mcrLABS]

So I have gotten my scratch built CNC gantry table just about finished up. Still needs a little tweeking and tuning (hold downs + sacrifical board, home switches, tramming the spindle....and much more) but all axis' are working in good coordination. I bought the full Mach3 license and drew the road runner and the skull and cross bones with a marker I attached to the spindle. I also drew a few quick circles in AutoCAD, imported them into the free version of LazyCAM that came with the Mach3 license. I had my CNC machine run my first g-code program ever based off of this highly complex CAD file!!!! Turned out OK, to see results, follow this youtube link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgQukixXGKc

Anyways, I am in the begining process of shopping for a real CAM program and wanted opinions on the options that provide the best bang for the buck. I could go for the full LazyCAM license ($75), but I don't think I am interested in that because ArtSoft specifically says on their webpage that LazyCAM is locked in Beta and they have no reason to fully develope it since there are so many other good CAM programs already available....Which ones....I don't know.

Of course I am not interested in droping $10,000 on a MasterCAM license, although I am sure that is some of the best. Since this is a hobby level machine I believe I am more interested in the $150-ish CAM programs I have found such as CAM BAM or Cut2D from vectric. The only problem is, I am not sure exactly what I need to be looking for in a CAM program and what all of my options are. I think I like Cut2D because it appears to be very upgradeable as I learn and expand my knowledge, but CAM BAM seems to have alot of 3D stuff already available. Plus I am sure there are at least a dozen others I don't even know about.

My working envelope is about 5' x 3' x 1'. I plan on cutting mostly wood, plastic, wax and foam, but I will probably try some aluminum eventually since I see alot of people having success with that. I plan I making anything I can from cabinets, furniture, signs, and other crafty things in 2.5D... to 3D wet layup molds or even cool 3D pine wood derby cars for my boys. I like the $150 range but would spend more to get more ($250 if it were that much better). The availablity of good training material ("how to" stuff) is also important to me and I will gladly spend more to get that. A couple of youtube videos are not considered good training material.

Let me know what your opinions are for getting the best bang for your buck on hobby level CAM software $150-$250-ish or a little more if you swear you don't know what you would do without it.

Thanks

[CarveOne]

A lot of us started with CamBam. Check out the link.

[caddy]

Give Sheetcam a look. I use and like it

[Dylwad]

Best thing to do is try the demo versions out to see what suits you and the way you think, vectric products are very easy to learn but lack some of the more complicated features that can be found on other similar priced software that has a much deeper learning curve.

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[atwooddon]

A lot of us started with CamBam. Check out the link.

I also use CamBam and really like it. It is under constant improvement and the support via the CamBam forum is very good. Lots of knowledeable users that typically respond to questions and issues very quickly.

CamBam is a 2.5D CAD program as well as a pretty good CAM program. You can import 3D drawings like STL and a few more and CamBam will generate gcode for the 3D machining.

Consider the capabilities, the price is very reasonable.

Don

[r00t4rd3d]

Anything you can afford from Vectric. I cant imagine doing CNC work without Aspire.

[mcrLABS]

That Aspire package looks like a top shelf product. I'd have to save my quaters for a long time to get that one.

[vtx1029]

I started with cut2d and then bought cut3d and v-carve pro. Cut2d is an ok for cam but not great to draw in. V-carve on the other hand is great! cut3d lacks some machining stratigies I wish it had, but it works. I wish I had the scratch for aspire... Vetric stuff is also easy to learn imo. Good thing about starting with cut2d is if you want to upgrade to v-carve they count most of your purchase towards it.

[BMcCaskill]

I have to agree on the Vectric programs. I also started with Cut2D then bought the Cut3D/VCarvePro package and love them. They are incredibly user friendly and the best bang for the buck that I could find.

[mcphill]

Give BobCAD/CAM a try, but don't give them your real phone number... I think the software has gotten very good, can be bought for quite cheap, but their high pressure sales tactics are still there...

[msimpson99]

You can get started with vectrics Cut2D for $149. Later it can be upgraded to Vcarve Pro.

I use an $80 copy of Corel Draw for may CAD work then export to Cut2D.
You can see my workflow here:
KRMx01 EStop Upgrade


For 3D work I use Cut3D and Autodesk inventor.