Coming from 3d printing (additive) the process from design to g-code is very simple. Create part in Solidworks, export STL file, slice into G-code and press print. I have been running manuals machines for a while but now that I have a couple hobby/trainer grade CNC machines properly running I'm having trouble with the G-code generation for 3-axis milling.
In my mind I was hoping it was going to be just as simple as additive printing with the addition of a tool table that contained my available tooling. So I thought it would just take my Solidworks part and the dimensions of the base stock and just generate the optimal g-code from the available tooling to cut the part as accurately as possible, with the option to the tweak the settings to for precision vs speed. That is what I was hoping for, but what I have demo'd (admittedly not many yet, but I have read up on more)... they don't work like that at all.
For background, I will be doing about 80%+ 2.5D work and likely no more than 20% 3D (multiple operations, manual flips). The bulk of the parts can be finished with no more than 3 endmills, usually just one or two. These aren't terribly complex parts, but because I am familiar with Solidworks and can quickly sketch a part that will be 2.5D I do it in there. I haven't touched any other CAD or 2D drawing packages in a long time, couldn't even tell you where to start on anything else.
None of this CNC is for production or even with a profit motive, and not just because of the limitation of the machines either, it is just for hobby. So even a few hundred bucks is it a little overboard for this stage of the game, let alone a couple grand. I'm hoping perhaps there is a good open-source offering or a hobbyist centered package out there for a reasonable price that really simplifies the process where you're doing a lot of one-off stuff and are looking for speed (from model to g-code) instead of precision or optimization.
I have tried the demo versions of CamBam and SheetCam and I'm sure once one is experienced with either they can be very efficient and effective but this approach is quite different than I am used to and actually felt like I was working with very dated software. Maybe the real magic is just supposed to be under the hood, I don't know.
I guess I am looking for something more intuitive and robust from the standpoint of the software doing as much of the lifting as possible with the least amount of input using a Part or other 3d model file to produce both 2.5D and 3D (manual flips). Anything out there like that, and if so, ideally something still in the price range for a hobbyist?
I was just about to download HSMExpress. I don't know much yet except it is free and works with SW so perhaps that could be the ticket. It is just hard to spend enough time giving every demo a fair shake when there are many options because it can take a lot of overhead just to figure it out. I also heard Deskproto might be the way to go. I think someone mentioned it has intutive features in 3D where if it has a non-flat surface(s) it can auto create landings on each edge of the part so you can secure it squarely in the vise and then cuts them off at a later operation... that is the kind of automation I was hoping to get.