Re: Which is the best Cad-Cam Software?

> What are the software rankings by name, price, function, and ease

of use? Or if nobody has a list, then what works with 3D solid
models, is easy to learn & use, and is affordable?

>
> Thanks,
> Kirk Fraser

Kirk: This is probably not what you want to hear but IMHO there is
no best CAD-CAM software. There are many products out there, but
many subjective things go into the word "best". What do you want for
your use? Do you want full 3 axis modeling and control? Do you want
to be able to draw, run a simulation, then hit a key and have the
machine make the cuts. Do you want everything to run in Windows?
Based on the reference to Cimigraf I assume you want to do more
artistic cuts than hardcore machining. The kind of software to
develop those kinds of cuts is often different than regular machining
software. Once again you have to decide what you want to do with
your machine. If price is an issue (isn't it always) then the field
starts to narrow quickly. There are some good low cost CAD programs
that will let you do 3D modeling. There are some good conversion
programs that will take standard 3D file formats and build 3 axis
Gcode files. There are some good GCode to machine interface programs
that will run your MAXNC machine. To save money you may have to use
a combination of the three types of programs you need to cut an
object.


The learning curve on most of the packages is pretty steep. You
mentioned Mastercam. I tried for several days to learn Mastercam. I
was frustrated by their quasi-Windows product that has the worst
implementation of Windows standard look and feel as I have ever seen.
You have to factor in that I spend most of my waking hours in from of
some version of Windows and standard Windows Applications
(Word,Corel,Excel,Access, VB, etc). Does that mean their software
was bad?...no just bad for me.

I once made the mistake of reviewing several CAD-CAM programs and
submitted it to the list. It started a brew-ha-ha that went on for
days. I downplayed the value of DOS and focused on Windows
applications. I've lived through 6 versions of DOS and I have moved
on. That approach drew screams of protest and started a whole new
thread of political discontent. What I learned from that is everyone
must choose for themselves. There are almost as many opinions on
what is the best software as what is the best color to go with Mauve!

If you want to contact me off list I will be glad to give you MY
opinions as to what I found as best for ME.

Start out by trying out several of the packages that provide a full
featured demo you can download. No doubt others can give you the
names of several to try. What I did find was that after using my
machine for a while my needs were better defined (I figured out what
I wanted to make with my machine).

One good thing about this list is that there are no shortage of
suggestions. Sometimes you may ask "what time is it" and you get a
lesson on how to build a watch, but at least there are plenty of
responses!

This is a GREAT hobby.