[squale]

Looking for a CAM package to import my 3d Solidworks models and machine on Fadal, Fanuc, Centroid cnc controls for 3-axis milling. I was wondering out of all the available CAM softwares, which ones are the easiest to learn and use?

[mactec54]

Hi squale

Gibbs Cam is the easiest to use & learn of the 3 you have picked

[squale]

is GibbsCAM the easiest cam software of all?

I am looking at all options such as Mastercam, GibbsCAM, BobCADCAM, CamWorks, Esprit, Solidcam, Edgecam, FeatureCAM, SurfCAM, etc.

[Matt.Close]

I really think it depends on the person learning the software. I've heard people say they found Gibbs easy to learn, and others saying they learned nothing. Depends on the training as well, how it is conducted. As far as Mastercam is concerned, it is an easy program to learn, everything is laid out graphically and labeled. Sure may learning 5-axis programming right off the bat will be impossible, but as for getting to know the interface and basic programming, Mastercam is pretty slick. Plus their training is phenomenal, very experienced and professional traininers (that I know of anyway).

Don't even bother with Bobcad, you are just in for a headache.

[Shawn Schwartz]

No one has even mentioned WorkNC. WorkNC is a high end CAM software that is VERY easy to use. Is this for a hobby shop or are you trying to make money with it? We offer free evaluations with working posts so you can get it in your shop and see first hand how easy it is. You can learn it in a matter of a couple days! Send me an email at [email protected] if you would like to know more about it.

[Hypersonic]

A buddy of mine bought Bobcad cam just for kicks it was so cheap like 500 for a seat of it, versus 23 or 24 k for a seat of Wnc.
He was a good mastercam user and says the BobCad cam has really come a long ways. I little rough around the edges maybe but it is working well for him.
Hard to make up for 24k cost and 3k a year in maintenance when something for 500 bucks works pretty decent.
Also when the big "guys" decide its time to change your maintenance cost they just do it and don't return your phone calls....... just my two cents....

[6061-t6]

I happen to love gibbscam and use it daily. I think the hardest thing to learn (looking back wasnt very hard if I would have read the manual) is the creation of geometry and modifying geometry lines, connect/disconnect, wall/air, REVERSE ARC!

tool creation is easy/fast, and volumill is awesome!! (not for use in just gibbscam obviously)

but all that being said, I am looking to explore the change to use Siemens NX cad/cam all in one package.