As a power user for both MC and VG I can honestly say MC offers more. But you pay for it. Gibbs is really good with really good toopaths, but MC is great with great toolpaths and much MUCH more control of how things work throughout the program, including support.
Gibbs will get the job done. Mastercam will get it done a bit better and usually a bit faster.
I think MC is more expensive, but you are getting extra value with MC and any price difference will be offset once you got rolling with MC.
I'm not bashing Gibbs at all. It's my second fav cam package (of the nearly dozen different ones that I've used) I cut my programming teeth on GibbsNC/CAD/CAM for a mac before they had a windows version, and my first "Programming" job was using Virtual Gibbs from dos.
Bottom line, get a dealer from each place come to your place and do a demo with your parts. Then make your decision.
Matt
San Diego, Ca
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(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)