[monte55]

I have a licensed Mach 3 program now. I need a cad/cam? program. I downloaded a trial of Cadstd lite and can't get it to do very much. I watched a Tracker video yesterday and they said they use Mach and sheetcam. I can download Sheetcam but it is limited to 150 lines of code. What could I do with 150 lines. Mach 3 was 1000 lines before I paid for it and that didn't go far. Some of these trial programs don't let me do much as they limit the features. I have no problem paying for a program if I know it is what will work for me. Is the Sheetcam trial limited in features or just output of 150 lines.
I want to be able to design parts, maybe make signs, line pictures with text that can be manulipated and be used with a router or plasma etc. Any info will be appreciated. I might add I've never used a cad program before. Thanks.................nick

[Halfnutz]

CAD's easy, just do a search for free CAD, Progesoft has a great free Autocad like program, Alibre has something free I think.

Its the CAM that costs...

I'd just pick one you can afford, under 500 its probably Meshcam or Sheetcam, then if you have more for 500 I'd get VCarve. Its not exactly a CAM program, but in ways much more and has a lot of CAM features.

Next step up is OneCNC for around a grand, then BobCAM and some others around 2 grand, then the bigboys like MC and Gibbs at 2-5G or more.

In between theirs a gazillion others of course. Check out as many as you can. People like what they learn how to use. It all depends on how much you can spend. Do you have a budget? If your tight on money maybe Mach and the wizards will do all you need.

[MichaelHenry]

Alibre Design Express is available for free and there are upgrade options if you want to get into more complicated projects.

Mike

[mxtras]

Keep in mind that I do not know how complicated your parts are but I think once Art has a chance to finish LazyCam (included with Mach3) it will be the best bang for the buck for an econo-cam. The trial version may be limited to 1000 lines but if the development continues and the worst of the bugs are worked out, LazyCam will be worth the measly amount asked. Even if you don't want to come off the $180 or whatever for a full blown version, you can patch together a massive program with a little ingenuity. LazyCam has pretty decent potential. Even with it's current quirks, I have managed to do just about everything I have needed to do with it - sometimes you have to jump through a few extra hoops in your drawing to get the output to match the current capabilities of LazyCam but for the money (free for the trial) I don't think it can be beat.

When the package gets a little more attention, I intend to purchase the full blown deal. I think it will be a good value.

Scott

[ger21]

I believe that if you email Les, the Author of SheetCAM, he'll give you an evaluation license that isn't as limiting. But SheetCAM is a CAM program, not CAD. You'll need a CAD program to create drawings for SheetCAM.
What type of parts do you want to make? That can have a large influence on the type of CAD needed. If you plan on using SheetCAM, or a similar 2D CAM package, them ProgeCAD is probably a good place to start, as was mentioned, and it's free.
http://www.progecad.com/downloads/index.html

[mxtras]

Ger -

Is there a FAQ section for this CAD/CAM topic? Seems like there should be. I see a lot of 'where-to-get-' and 'what-to-get' questions on this subject.

Scott

[HayTay]

Here's another FREE CAD software package, Solid Edge Free 2d Drafting. The more free/trial CAD packages you try the better off you will be. Each one has a slightly different interface with various options, features and import/export capabilities.

A lot of people like Rhino3D. The trial version will allow you to save up to 25 times, after that you can still use Rhino3D as a free 'viewer'. Rhino3D is a powerful program and one of the less expensive 2D/3D drawing/modeling programs available. RhinoCAM is an available plug-in for Rhino3D that will allow you to create toolpaths for use with your controller software.

Check 'em out.

[monte55]

I believe that if you email Les, the Author of SheetCAM, he'll give you an evaluation license that isn't as limiting. But SheetCAM is a CAM program, not CAD. You'll need a CAD program to create drawings for SheetCAM.
What type of parts do you want to make? That can have a large influence on the type of CAD needed. If you plan on using SheetCAM, or a similar 2D CAM package, them ProgeCAD is probably a good place to start, as was mentioned, and it's free.
http://www.progecad.com/downloads/index.html

What I want to make now might be simple 2d brackets with holes or slots etc of metal or wood. Also maybe signs where the text could be manulipated on the sign like changing size, font and have full bodied letters, not just lines. I hope this makes sense. I would also want to import files of pics I could incorporate into my work. Right now I don't want to do really complicated
stuff. That can come later. thanks...................nick

[carlnpa]

For 2.5D work Visio and Turbocad Deluxe are very cost effective solutions. If you buy an older version of Turbocad Pro and register it IMSI will eventually offer you the upgrade to the latest version for $99 ($895) retail program.

[ger21]

For 2.5D work Visio and Turbocad Deluxe are very cost effective solutions. If you buy an older version of Turbocad Pro and register it IMSI will eventually offer you the upgrade to the latest version for $99 ($895) retail program.

From my experience, DesignCAD is easier to use and cheaper, too.

Nick 2D brackets can easily be done with any of the free CAD programs mentioned, and either SheetCAM, or ACE, which is free from www.dakeng.com

Text like you're desribing will require something like V-Carve, which is $500. While text may seem like a simple thing, there is no easy way to do what you want without spending money. As for pictures, Mach3 can do them natively, but there are many other picture to g-code programs that may be easier to use and/ or produce better results, but again, they will cost you.

[massajamesb]

www.dcad.com
free 45 day unlimited demo. No cripples. Easy to use.

[biomed_eng]

The best free 3D CAD software (with surface modeling) is VX Modeler ( www.vx.com/VX_Modeler.cfm ). It is usually a $1200 package but if you attend their free seminar, they give you one seat per company (or individual) for free, it is FULLY FUNCTIONAL and DOES NOT EXPIRE!

I drove 30 minutes to their Anaheim California seminar and I didn't pay a cent for their modeler software. Zero pressure seminar. They basically show off their software and hope you like it enough to buy extra seats for your company.

See www.vx.com/seminars.cfm for their seminar schedule. They are pretty much inactive in the USA for the holiday season but will pick up after the New Year. You can call them and request for a seminar in your area.

Also try a nice free CAD package (without surface modeling) : http://www.alibre.com/xpress/softwar...ign-xpress.asp

[GaryCorlew]

for 2d brackets with holes and slots just code by hand. If you can tell me what you need them to be I will be happy to do it for you.

[monte55]

Thanks for the offer.........I'll have to describe them the best I can--
First...a 4" square with a 1"hole centered, with 4, 1/2" holes...one at each
corner with centers 1/2" in from each edge....material being 3/4 inch thick and cutting all the way through ............
Second...........a right angle 4" high, 4" base........
How do I get them into into my Mach program? Thanks .........nick

[GaryCorlew]

What size endmill do you want to use?, I will be doing the gcode if you pm me your email I will send direct. Oh one other thing on the right angle, I am assuming the same thickness right?

[ger21]

Try this with a 1/4" bit.

[monte55]

Thanks guys for taking the time to make files for the square and triangle. They are in my G-Code files in Mach 3. I wanted simple so I can run them, watch the code line, DROs and the pic of the file being run and try to make some sense of it. Thanks again................Nick