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IndustryArena Forum > CAM Software > Dolphin CAD/CAM > Is Dolphin Partmaster Pro good?
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    214

    Is Dolphin Partmaster Pro good?

    The question is plain and simple from the title. How does it compare to other CAD and CAM software out there? Can it hold its own? What are its limitations comparing to other software?

    -BK

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    496
    Here is my opinion. There are hundreds of cadcam systems out there. They range from freebies to some in the high thousands. If you are trying to compare it with mastercam or surfcam, well its not in that ballpark. Youre also talking about a 15 thousand dollar price difference. Dolphin offers its software for right around a thousand dollars, for what it cost, I think wonders of it. It has paid it self back several times over to me. It all depends on what you are trying to do. At work we have a seat of surfcam and sure it's quite powerful. But I know myself, I could never afford it. When we have very complex 3d prototypes surfcam is a must for us. For our everyday work, dolphin is very simple and gets the job done very nice. So the question for yourself should be, do you have a couple grand to drop or are you on a budget. If you have a few grand, look at options like mastercam, surfcam, gibbs, espree. If you're on a budget, I think dolphin is a very good option. Take a look at some of they're videos. That will give you an idea of what its capable of.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    214
    Videos, I could not find, let me check them out and I'll give my opinion. Thanks for the information by the way, I've never heard of it until you've mentioned it. I am actually very budget tight. I'm in the military and about to get out.... with this economy who knows if I'm dumb for even building a CNC and buying stuff... heh....

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    496
    I am a pretty avid member of a few different forums and i would be willing to bet there are still some cad cam systems I dont know. It seems theyre are new ones weekly. What branch of the military were you in? Congrats to you and a thank you as well.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    214
    I'm still in the Navy, getting out in July, and no problem.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    214
    Looks like pretty darn good package and so incredibly easy to use (tried demo). If my budget would not be so tight right now I'd buy it in a heart beat. I'll have to comeback to it later on.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    78

    Ease of use

    I purchased Dolphin CAM after looking at multiple packages under the 1k USD mark (there arent that many...)

    What sold me was the simplicity. Picking an outline or shape in the CAD side, converting it to CAM data and generating usefull toolpaths is very straight forward.

    It does have some little quirks; obviously this is no 25k software package.
    I still proof the code every time I run a file, but I've never crashed a tool or done something totally unexpected.

    The worst I've ever seen it do is post a complete circle on a tool lead in instead of a short large radius arc (no problem for an external lead in, and I've made probably ten parts so far, with this one being the only error not caused by me).

    I'd like to see some additional features, which I'll suggest to DCAM.
    They seem to be open & friendly; willing to work with customers.

    Personally, I think this software invaluable if you are trying to make parts regularly and are tired of hand coding. If you need 3d CAM, and have the money, choose Sprut CAM (this is what I want eventually).

    If you want to be able to make 2.5 parts easily, this is a fantastic way to go.

    I'll be posting some videos of some pretty cool parts soon on youtube.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    3498
    Who said its good???.... Its Excellent.. I just used a Demo of Partmaster Lathe and its simply Excellent....No other word i have in place of EXCELLENT...
    http://free3dscans.blogspot.com/ http://my-woodcarving.blogspot.com/
    http://my-diysolarwind.blogspot.com/

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    496
    I agree with Khalid. I think it is a very nice program. I use it on a daily basis and couldn't imagin being without it now.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    72
    I've had the software for a week, I'm a hobby user and for a total package I am extremely happy with it. I found the learning curve to be low and while I have had a couple issues trying to get my illustrator designs into it because of splines, I've come up with a work around. Their tech support has been extremely quick to respond (they responded on a weekend!). I actually expected less support because of being a hobby user which was not the case. I can definitely recommend this product.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    214
    Yeah, they've been extremely friendly with me when I was asking them questions about the software and the demo was extremely easy to learn. I mean, I have no experience with such things and I was able to just jump in and go. I am definitely considering this software for the future (when budget permits) and all of your feedback has reassured me that it is the right choice.

  12. #12
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    Jul 2008
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    922
    what are your guys thoughts of the standard vs. advanced version for the mill? ($600 v 1k)

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    521
    Quote Originally Posted by Teyber12 View Post
    what are your guys thoughts of the standard vs. advanced version for the mill? ($600 v 1k)
    There are hobbyists discounts available - I got the Pro.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    496
    Quote Originally Posted by Teyber12 View Post
    what are your guys thoughts of the standard vs. advanced version for the mill? ($600 v 1k)
    If it were a matter of a few thousand I think the standard would be ok. They are so similar in price I think its really a no brainder to go for the pro. I debated at first too but wound up going with the pro. I wouldnt let pricing make it or break it for you as a deciding factor. It wouldnt hurt to call or email them to ask they're opinion either.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    4396
    I have taken a look after a year. These guys have come a long way and look very good in the features department. It looks clean and easy to use as well.

    I will bet that Dolphin will steam roll a few of the others in a few short years including "............". I have a friend that uses it and he has been very happy. I might even consider it because they are using solids and 3D.

    I have gotten word from a reliable source that they are working very hard on opening the software more to include more options and functionality. This is all I can say but it looks promising considering how far they have come in one year.

    Dolphin is actually looking very good.

    Don't take this post the wrong way. I have not tried it yet but it does look way better than it did a year ago.
    Toby D.
    "Imagination and Memory are but one thing, but for divers considerations have divers names"
    Schwarzwald

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

    www.refractotech.com

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    101
    Just ask em to give you the Pro version for the standard price. Chances are good that they'll go for it.
    -Blane Nelson
    www.tacticalpyrotechnics.com

  17. #17
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    Jul 2008
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    922
    Ask for hobby or student prices also (assuming your a hobbiest or, like me, a student)

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    0

    Smile Dolphin CAD CAM

    I am retired and live in South Africa, so $$$s are very tight I found it easy to use after watching the Videos on YouTube Teamed up with Mach3 gives a convenient setup I have done PC boards and wooden gears all with no hassle The folks at Dolphin are most helpful and encouraging and I see them as friends Just remember it is very reasonably priced so you cant expect too much.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    496
    Agreed. The folks in the US have been a tremendous help for me as well.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
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    0
    If I have a suggestion, a facility to mill a single pass that does not complete a full goround would be a huge benefit. E.g Milling the flanks of a flycutter for gear cutting or engraving a short line on a scale or a protractor... or I have I missed the trick for doing this ?
    To endorse the service side, their guy helped me out from his hospital bed ! Thats dedication.

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