[Tomcat104]

Another NEWBIE question here in hopes that I can avoid ANOTHER $900 mistake.

[awerby]

ArtCAM has been around forever, but what's Varve? Did you mean to write V-carve? What was your first $900 mistake?

[ger21]

Two years ago, ArtCAM Pro was about $7000. They came out with ArtCAM Express, which started at $150, and had add on modules which added more functionality. These ranged from $100-$300.

Then AutoDESK bought ArtCAM, and came out with a new subscription based version last year.

The vast majority of members here use V Carve Pro, as ArtCAM was always too expensive.

One thing you might want to know, as that the people that developed V Carve Pro used to work and program for ArtCAM.

You really can't go wrong with either one.

Before you buy anything, you should download the V Carve Pro demo, and learn how to use it.
Then download ArtCAM and learn how to use it during the free 30 day trial. If you need more time, you can subscribe month to month.

Once you've played around with both, then you'll know which one is best for you.

[Tomcat104]

Yes, I meant V-Carve...fingers just didn't co-operate this time.

I ordered a heavy duty router with table and NEVER noticed the $900 shipping charge.

[Trell]

V-Crave is the way to go. I can take anyone with no experience with CNCs and have them programming and cutting their first sign in about an hour. It was the first software that I made something useful and still have the first sign I made. It was not perfect but a lot better than anything else I have done. That was in 2002 and have been a fan ever since.
It can cut parts but it is much better at signs

[sajurcaju]

F-engrave works pretty nicely for v-carving. It is also free--at minimum you can learn what features are important before looking for software that has them.
F-Engrave

Steve