[kevperro]

I know they have had an issue with V22 and their sales guys are like used car salesmen but is anyone a happy user of the package?

The things that stick out to me is that they have CAD/CAM in a single package, they have training and support here in the USA and a video series of tutorials and they have a lathe package.

There are some 3D profiling features where SprutCAM seems to have some advantages. The retail pricing is obviously not the same but from what I understand, BobCAM never sells near those retail values anyway.

Any input?

[Bloy2004]

I am! ...using BobCAM ..Oh! ...and I am a happy user.
...but I still use versions 19 and v21...although I'm sure I would feel similarly was I able to divert funds for the upgrades.

[mcphill]

I am using V23. I have never used a CAM product before. I don't use the CAD package, as I am proficient in SolidWorks, but the CAM package works very well. I paid $600 for a full Mill PRO seat, so yes, hone your negotiating skills and hang in until you get to the deal you want!

[kevperro]

I am using V23. I have never used a CAM product before. I don't use the CAD package, as I am proficient in SolidWorks, but the CAM package works very well. I paid $600 for a full Mill PRO seat, so yes, hone your negotiating skills and hang in until you get to the deal you want!

Well... I pulled the trigger on this. I needed to make a choice and get to making parts. The main thing for me, is that the software help, and support system are in place. The package was designed and coded here in the USA and I can pick-up the phone and call a live person if I need help. They have tech support packages that seem reasonable in price if I need them. If I'm ever stuck on a part, I can always get someone to get me unstuck and the project moving forward. That is important to me. Most of my parts are fairly simple machine operations so I don't need MasterCam. I need simple 2.5D & simple 3D toolpaths and a simple lathe package to make my Duality Lathe function.

I bought the V23 Mill Standard, Lathe Package, BobArt Package, Training Video Package & got a USB Dongle so I can use it on multiple machines. They basically matched the Tormach SprutCAM pricing. I'd rather have supported Tormach but just didn't like SprutCAM.

I feel better having made the choice and having one more factor behind me. I want chips flying and dollars coming in the door. ;-)

[mcphill]

Go to this site:

http://www.cadcamtrainer.com/

and get a free account. The website sucks, but Sorin REALLY knows his stuff. He worked at BobCAD for a long time, and now does their training full time. He knows the product hands down. He posts a ton of free instructional videos on that site. These are way better than anything BobCAD themselves provide. If you go to one of the BobCAD training sessions that they do around the country, it will likely be taught by Sorin. You can get way more learning in for your money (since its free!!!) by starting on this site first. When you finally get your login, go here to get the videos:

http://cadcamtrainer.com/free/

[keen]

Hi - I started with V21 and now have V23 - use both CAD and CAM - BCC is getting better all the time.

[Tormachmaster]

Hey I use bobcad v23 pro and do alot of 4th axis machining it works great and their poast is good so dont fear the terrible past v22 problems it was just a huge mistake but v23 is good I would think that it will get even better in a year or two.

[kevperro]

Hey I use bobcad v23 pro and do alot of 4th axis machining it works great and their poast is good so dont fear the terrible past v22 problems it was just a huge mistake but v23 is good I would think that it will get even better in a year or two.

Thanks for the feedback. I hear a lot of horror stories about V22. My needs are fairly simple but when I need to get a project done, I don't want to be wrestling with the software. I'm willing to invest the time and effort to completely learn the product. I just don't want to invest the time and effort into the wrong package that I'll regret having bought.

[Tormachmaster]

It is simple and works great for the price I do alot of work with bobcad to my tormach it is simple.

[kevperro]

First impressions are all good. The documentation is very good and the video series, while boring, is comprehensive in it's coverage. The CAD features are much different than Alibre but with a little work, I think I can use it for all my design needs also (which are modest).

At this point, I'm happy with my choice but I have yet to do any projects. I'll update as I work my way through several projects. Hopefully this will help others who are facing the same choices.

[toolmaster]

Can't stress enough, as soon as you start project make sure you "save as"
in a folder of choice. Go to preferences and click box for autosave.

[keen]

Hi Kevpero - "First impressions are all good. The documentation is very good and the video series, while boring, is comprehensive in it's coverage. "

I take you refer to V21? I dont know of a comprehensive video series for V23 yet...

[kevperro]

Hi Kevpero - "First impressions are all good. The documentation is very good and the video series, while boring, is comprehensive in it's coverage. "

I take you refer to V21? I dont know of a comprehensive video series for V23 yet...

The video series is listed as V22 but it seems to apply exactly to all the functions in V23. I've not found something that doesn't work according to the tutorial yet. I'm on disc #7 out of 10. Hope to get through the rest of them today/tomorrow and then I'll start creating some simple parts and trying to output G-Code.

I've edited the Machine file for the Tormach and loaded the Postprocessor. It looks like they have a fairly good system for editing all the defaults so that my machine & post codes will default to my machine automatically. You have to dig in the Help files for the utility that adds a generic machine that you can define.

[keen]

Thanks for that kevperro - I've been using V23 for my Tormach but not formatted it as completely as you are doing. What I have done is working for me but perhaps not 100% correct. I think I know what you mean and will try to do the same when I get some free time.(So far the recession has not hit my workshop here in NZ).

Re the V22 training videos - I did not get any with my purchase of V23 - did you? or are they available online? I have been looking and only found a few. In addition to my V21 experience they were enough to get me going, and occasionaly I search the help info to resolve the odd 'mystery' - still, more training is always good. Let us know if you have the link!

[Sorin Nenu]

Go to this site:

http://www.cadcamtrainer.com/

and get a free account. The website sucks, but Sorin REALLY knows his stuff. He worked at BobCAD for a long time, and now does their training full time. He knows the product hands down. He posts a ton of free instructional videos on that site. These are way better than anything BobCAD themselves provide. If you go to one of the BobCAD training sessions that they do around the country, it will likely be taught by Sorin. You can get way more learning in for your money (since its free!!!) by starting on this site first. When you finally get your login, go here to get the videos:

http://cadcamtrainer.com/free/

The websit sucks....what do you expect??? there are no fancy pictures just tons of information. There are plenty of forums so you can get the help you need. Nobody is trying to sell you anything, just a guy that spends his own money to help strangers without asking anything in return. Sorin does all the seminars for them. He hasn't been working for Bobcad for a long time or works for them now. He has been Bob's first paying customer long time ago (about 26 years) and he is doing the training as a consultant. By the way, this is Sorin and thanks for the kind words. If anyone needs any help, I offer to help you on a as time allows me bases. No charge for anything. I will make a video and post it for you to download. To access the videos you need a user name (september) and a password(1955). Also sign up as a member so you guys can participate in Bobcad diuscussions and ask questions.

Sorin
I will keep my guns, ammunition and money. You can keep the CHANGE

[keen]

Good to hear from you Sorin!

I have tried a few times over the last year or so to register as a member on your website and applied via the email link for a log in - but I always get the message from MAILER-DAEMON as follows:

"Sorry, we were unable to deliver your message to the following address.

<[email protected]>:
Remote host said: 550 Requested action not taken: mailbox unavailable [RCPT_TO]"

I welcome any help on this. Thanks for the access to your V23 videos!

[kevperro]

Thanks for that kevperro - I've been using V23 for my Tormach but not formatted it as completely as you are doing. What I have done is working for me but perhaps not 100% correct. I think I know what you mean and will try to do the same when I get some free time.(So far the recession has not hit my workshop here in NZ).

Re the V22 training videos - I did not get any with my purchase of V23 - did you? or are they available online? I have been looking and only found a few. In addition to my V21 experience they were enough to get me going, and occasionaly I search the help info to resolve the odd 'mystery' - still, more training is always good. Let us know if you have the link!

The videos I have are the ones sold by BobCAD. They are kind of dry. Just a basic explanation of most of the functions. They are useful, but if I were to design a series I'd probably do something with various projects which walks the user through drawing basic parts and then planning toolpaths. You tend to learn much better when you are applying concepts in my experience.

I managed to import my first part, designed in Alibre, and planned the toolpaths and have G-Code. I've not run it on my machine yet but I'm going to give it a try on Monday. I feel fairly comfortable planning simple 2D toolpaths and generating 2D features from 3D geometry. Most of my parts are 2D features and toolpaths. I have a one that includes a fair amount of 3D profile work. I also have plenty of tapped holes and I bought the Tormach tapping tool so that will require some experimentation.

The system is much better documented than SprutCAM but I don't think it has the same power as SprutCAM in terms of pure Milling toolpath functionality. The simulation is nowhere near as good as the simulation in SprutCAM. There are also not anywhere near as many 3D toolpath functions as SprutCAM has. The upside is that you have BobCAD which features a full 2D/3D CAD functions, BobArt which allows for some engraving and text functions along with importing pictures, jpgs, etc.. to do some creative art/sign work. That along with the fact that the software is well documented and you can get help if you need it. At this point I'm happy with the choice I've made.

[kevperro]

The websit sucks....what do you expect??? there are no fancy pictures just tons of information. There are plenty of forums so you can get the help you need. Nobody is trying to sell you anything, just a guy that spends his own money to help strangers without asking anything in return. Sorin does all the seminars for them. He hasn't been working for Bobcad for a long time or works for them now. He has been Bob's first paying customer long time ago (about 26 years) and he is doing the training as a consultant. By the way, this is Sorin and thanks for the kind words. If anyone needs any help, I offer to help you on a as time allows me bases. No charge for anything. I will make a video and post it for you to download. To access the videos you need a user name (september) and a password(1955). Also sign up as a member so you guys can participate in Bobcad diuscussions and ask questions.

Sorin
I will keep my guns, ammunition and money. You can keep the CHANGE

I'll try signing into your site Sorin. They say "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" so I'll not complain about your free material. ;-)

I may sign up for your Seattle training seminar. It depends on how busy I am come this fall. I'm going to be involved in some Green Party political stuff and I'm attending a "gun-haters convention" held in Seattle. That is right after the "Tree-Hugger" holiday and our yearly "War Protester" convention. It is a busy year here in the Socialist republic of Washington.

[keen]

Hi Kevperro - Thanks for your comparison with sprutcam - you are the first I have heard of that has looked at both systems. You said the 3D toolpaths of BCC are more basic - I wonder if you have the pro or basic version? I got the pro version and it is a big step up over standard V23.

[kevperro]

Hi Kevperro - Thanks for your comparison with sprutcam - you are the first I have heard of that has looked at both systems. You said the 3D toolpaths of BCC are more basic - I wonder if you have the pro or basic version? I got the pro version and it is a big step up over standard V23.

I have the basic version but at this point, the only difference is one 3D toolpath function. SprutCAM does have more 3D geometry functions. How useful are they? I don't know enough to evaluate how useful they would be at this point. Once I'm cutting 3D geometry on a regular basis I'll take a look at them and try to determine if they would be useful or not.