[leversole]

Hello all, I am in the process of building a CNC router...have been demoing a couple of different software packages for different uses...I think I like CamBam for parts and shapes and things...and at $149 I can live with it...for signmaking (gifts and such), I have been learning ArtCam express which (my initial thoughts) was it did a lot for around $150...I just learned that the basic package does not allow more than one bridge or tab for cutouts (I can work around this), but you cannot do roughing an milling operations efficiently unless you have the 2D carving module...Okay I thought, how much can a module be? Well, it is $250! I am not doubting it is worth every penny, but it is pretty steep for someone just playing around...so...my question is, are there other software in the genre of ArtCam that has a lot of features for little or no money?

I know, you get what you pay for, and if I were running a business I would be all over ArtCam!

Thanks
Leslie

[alan_3301]

Look up vectric products, vcarve pro will probably do what you want.

[ger21]

so...my question is, are there other software in the genre of ArtCam that has a lot of features for little or no money?

If there was, then ArtCAM or V Carve Pro probably wouldn't exist. It takes teams of people working full time jobs to create these software packages. That's why they're not free.

[WillAdams]

List of the free options:

CAD - ShapeOko
CAM - ShapeOko

[MountainRef]

Go with V-Carve Pro 8.5 from Vectric. You will not be disappointed. Free programs will only drive you nuts! Good Luck!

[LukeBenik]

It is a bit more expensive but Enroute Pro is now available as a monthly subscription without a commitment.