Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re:VectorCad opinions/ overall gripe (long)

AI.... Definately !

SignLab has Ai import/export filters as does Corel. Not sure how well they work or which one works better at importing/scanning as I seldom do that. At least both programs include a "reduce nodes"
function to automatically remove unecessary nodes and it works pretty well.

I never have found a Scan to Vector program that has tripped my trigger. However, It looks like RasterFraz might be a cut above the rest. Seems like it was developed >because> nothing else worked
well. If I needed scan to Vector I would check it out. Maybe if I checked it out now and it worked excellent, I would always scan stuff ! ;-)

Your comment about Corel being not your typical Cad app is true,, and I assume that you would agree with me that more Cad applications NEED to resemble Corel MORE !

Chris L

RC wrote:

> Chris ...... you have some good points, but you missed a big one for all cad
> and cad/cam type programs, and that is to import "AI" files which is an
> Adobe filter.... Why you ask? Because if you do any amount of scanning and
> need to import the file into any cad program (Corel is not a typical cad
> program) like Autosketch, it changes the smooth curves into many many short
> lines!! But if the cad and cad/cam programs had a AI filter, then editing
> the few node points would be some much easier.... I know cad/cam have a
> spline converter..... the results are just not the same, and if they also
> had the Adobe filter, it would not be needed!
>
> RC
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Chris L <datac@...>
> To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 5:38 PM
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re:VectorCad opinions/ overall gripe (long)
>
> >
> >
> > Carol & Jerry Jankura wrote:
> >
> > >>I've yet to see a program that has NO shortcomings.<<<
> >
> > Jerry,
> > You strike a point with me that just grinds me to no end. Obviously, you
> too have come across certain Cad apps that come so stinking close to what
> you want them to be, but they for some reason never
> > ever get to that level. You can send the e-mail, make suggestions, write
> lengthy documents indicating the advantages or disadvantages, but nothing
> comes from it.
> >
> > Then on top of that, you find out that they decided to forget those basic
> things and start down a road towards the rediculous. For example:
> >
> > Signlab. (a program that has shown me it can create toolpaths gobs faster
> than any of the Cam programs I have used especially when any text work is
> desired)
> >
> > Instead of improving "control" of just a few little issues in the
> configurable "post" .ini's to make various machines respond better....
> Instead of adding a few simple true "Cad" tools like Trimming
> > instead of "welding".... They go off and spend all their development money
> becoming a "web Host" for sign shops ! foooyeeee !
> >
> > AutoSketch. An excellent under $100 answer to cad. Well, all except for a
> few simple little things that people have been reporting for more than 2
> versions.
> >
> > For one, They brilliantly installed a method for defining a "default snap
> set". Excellent ! But, when you turn off one snap at a time as you are
> drawing. There is NO WAY of turning the "default set"
> > back On !! ( well, I do it with a macro program)
> >
> > Another issue is "line widths". Now they have generously given you over 50
> line "styles". But, they give you only 5 line "widths" ! On top of that the
> consist of "tooooo big" or "tooooo small" !! So
> > users report it for over two years in AutoDesks own newsgroup which IS
> visited by a moderator. Did they fix it with the new version 8 release? No.
> They acted like no one ever complained about such a
> > problem.. Never heard such a thing..... !!! They threw the same old
> program ( with 12 super secret fixes according to an AD representative in
> the group) out as a NEW version. They did raise the
> > price, remove all printed documentation and slapped an approved for XP
> sticker on a new shiny print box. Whooopeee.
> >
> >
> > So while I am on my Rant, I want to mention something about Vector. I KNOW
> vector is the most bang for the buck out there. I KNOW it can be setup to do
> incredible things and I KNOW the support is
> > fantastic.
> >
> > But, while they are concerning themselves with "Nurbs" and such, What
> about some of the basic common sence things for a 32 bit program. User
> configurable tool bars perhaps ??? >> Draw - Other -
> > Offset >>> Too Deep !!
> >
> > In the same vein of thought, One should not have to "Draw" Contour for a
> toolpath. When you want to creat a toolpath around the perimeter of a drawn
> part, you should be able to select a Contour
> > tooling option that Opens a dialog box very similar to the pocketing one.
> Enter in stock to leave, Tool radius or diameter and also you z depths and
> passes. This is plain and simple. I sure hope
> > Vector fixes such items as I would regard as common sense.
> >
> > If I could have a Cad/Cam ultimate, it would consist of the following
> applications and their techniques:
> >
> > Corel Draw-
> > Who can deny the usefullness of good old Corel ? Corel techniques let you
> do the Artsy Fartsy editing you need to do if you are going to do anything
> related to signage and images. Others try as they
> > may, but they never get to the point Corel lets you take an Vector Image.
> >
> > SignLab-
> > Signlabs techniques for actually engraving, routing or machining Text is
> still not matched by most Cad/Cam apps even though they are toughted as
> capable. Sure some can do it, but in how many steps ?
> > In S-Lab, you type some text, put it where you want, drag a box around the
> whole shebang and select what type of toolpath you want. Male, female,
> online or pocket. It does it. Raised text just by
> > defining an overall outside dimension, combining them all and kerpow. Done
> deal. Toolpath is generated in split seconds once tooling, speeds and feeds
> are defined.
> >
> > AutoSketch-
> > Sketch has enough drawing options that one does not need to spend anymore
> than its price for really good 2d Cad. Its been said before, If you use
> A-CadLt.... you will not adapt to this program
> > easily. That does not make it bad. At the shop, here and there we would
> run our little "races" when the office handed us a paper drawing with
> dimensions scratched on it, that they wanted drawn. A
> > good "sketchie" has more often than not outrun those with the "other"
> apps. Well, all except Ashlar !
> >
> > Ashlar-
> > If youv'e used it, you know how useful it is, and how above and beyond
> they "were". As of late, however, many more cad apps are using techniques
> they had 10 years ago. This could be due to
> > copyrights and such...
> >
> > VectorCam-
> > Vector Cam has a really good routine for importing DXF files. Golly, I
> think this is the first program that I do NOT have to worry about "dupes"
> and other issues creeping in. Its "Reorganize"
> > function is an Awesome addition not found in other apps. Just let me make
> the "buttons" do what I want and where I want them !
> >
> > Surfcam-
> > I could be dreaming here, but, This is the bigger dollar one I spent the
> most time in.
> >
> > It draws like junk ( cadkey-ish), Ok, not like junk, just painfully slow
> with having to grab basic commands over and over and over...... Add to that
> the newer versions drawing tools as displayed
> > along the top keep moving around all the time ! You start to feel like it
> is some arcade game and you are chasing buttons like little animals with a
> gun !
> >
> > Anyhow, Surfcams CAM end is very nice. Toolpaths are relatively dependable
> ( not for text work however -stupid "explode" methods...) and all of the
> "setup" goodies you could ever want are there in
> > the followup windows for feeds, speeds and plunge techniques.
> >
> > On top of that, their Toolpath "management" window/display is excellent.
> Rename, Re-work, reorganize, retool, gee, do what you want here before
> creating code. It does take longer to get code with
> > this technique though....and I will add that Signlab creates code hands
> down faster than most I've dealt with.
> >
> > The above really only covers 2, 2-1/2 d methods.
> >
> > Ok, ending Rant now. If I was ever smart enough to write an application
> for Cad/Cam ( i'm not ), I would FIRST order up every Demo I could find to
> extract the good things others use, then rely
> > heavily on users input. I would refrain from moving to step 5 if I did not
> get step 2 finished.
> >
> > Know what i mean ??? Will we ever see an Ultimate program ???
> >
> > Chris L
> >
> >
> > Addresses:
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> >
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> >
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> >
> >
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> Addresses:
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
>
> OFF Topic POSTS: General Machining
> If you wish to post on unlimited OT subjects goto: aol://5863:126/rec.crafts.metalworking or go thru Google.com to reach it if you have trouble.
> http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jobshophomeshop I consider this as a sister site to the CCED group, as many of the same members are there, for OT subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list.
>
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