Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: My CAD CAM evaluations

Going through some of the list concerns, WRT to wanted features, is a thought.
For instance, some sort of basic materials db as an aid to implementing feed
and speed ranges would be nice, but would need to take into account the basics
of the machine being driven, and it's limitations.

Bill

On Wed Dec 4 22:43:30 2002, Chris L, <datac@...> wrote:

> I think John Comes real close to what I would say...... I'll just add
>tidbits.
>
>>>Concerning CAM, what are the:
>>>
>>>Must have features:
>>>
>>>
>Organized looking. Crisp, Clean, not like it was drawn with big Kiddy
>crayons. Gui's are important to me. I have to look at them ! It seems if
>I was a developer, I sure would look at the competition and find out
>their good points. If it's ugly, I don't like it. Same for what I drive
>and the Wife I chose ! ( or did she choose me ? I forget) Some
>companies just keep on a "trottin'" down a lonely road, "blinders"
>permanently affixed......
>
>User configurable toolbars! Admit it. It's all ergonomics these days. I
>don't care if it's "Streamlining" your warehouse techniques, or
>adjusting "traffic patterns" in your plant. It comes down to speed. Time
>is money.People cost money. If I (or they) have to go thru 3 steps
>everytime one wants to do a particular thing in software, that could be
>done in one, well, that is a waste of time. Its PAST the '90's !
>Toolbars should be fully configurable. Also, "tools" themselves need to
>be thought out. Some programs like turbocad have a gazillion tools.
>Ashlar displays 1/4 of those and still gets the work done faster. Why ?
>they realized they do not need a button for every little function when
>buttons can have multiple personalities based on the use of a few key
>commands. I mean stuff as simple as Ctrl and Shift. Likely, the
>"multibutton boys" never looked at Ashlar.
>
>Better control over toolpaths. First off, You need to be able to "hide"
>them easily, and Know what you have hidden. I want to be able to create
>a toolpath from any feature of the original part, and "hide" the
>toolpath. Turn it on and off with a simple button. This comes down to
>better "Layer", toolpath management. This may sound really stupid, but
>across the whole bottom of my Lowly Sign Program, is a Color Pallet. The
>colors are also numbered. When I define certain "groups" of work I want
>to create code for, I give that group a color. I can "hide" that color,
>or later "cut by color". Now Vector uses something similar with
>Attributes, but had lacked enough colors to make effective. That may
>have changed with the new version.
>
>In any regard, The color bar on the bottom and the use of the Shift or
>Ctl key depending on what you want to happen, does everything you need
>to do without any menu hopping.
>
>Nice to have features:
>
>Built in Verify.... I guess I don't create anything that sophisticated
>that I have used one much. I generally make code and cut. I have not
>wrecked much either. I guess I feel comfortable with what my usual
>methods are, and they work wonderfully. Suprise suprise... I still do
>all my 2.5d stuff with Signlab ! I haven't worried about bad code
>because I haven't had any with it ! I'd bet few Cad/Cam developers have
>ever really looked at how they have done it successfully for so many
>years. No hidden loops, decent DXF imports, excellent toolpath handling
>and configuration via machine .ini files Great layer handling.
>
>In regards demos... Sheeez, is 30 days enough ? Us working guys with
>families, multiple jobs, and typical pressures, why, 30 days goes by,
>the demo dies and you feel like your too embarrassed to call and hassle
>the offering company for some kind of extension or information as to
>just what file stops the demo from reloading. I've been on a year long
>search for a new Point of Sale, inventory control system for work. 30
>days just is not enough in this fast paced world. Would it "kill ya" to
>offer 60 days ??? I had some companies refuse to indicate what file or
>reg entry I needed to remove to fire it back up for looking at. Needless
>to say, I did not authorize expenditures of up to $100k for their
>product. If I was a thief, I'd run programs that TELL me what was
>installed and where !
>
>>>Negative features to avoid:
>>>
>>>
>John hit it on the head here.... "Duplicating operations" "Being asked
>information and then the program not using it" Or the worst >>Having to
>*draw* offsets<<< YA, my pet peeve. When you tell a program to run a
>"contour" based on the tooling you have chosen, the program Should
>understand that IT needs to make the first contour as a Toolpath, not as
>a line in the drawing. Not rocket science. Also, Poor implimentation of
>Feedrates and Plunge rates. Rates should be tied as an attribute of the
>toolpaths you see on screen, not much different than other attributes
>like color, location, etc. This way the information is entered before
>code is created.
>
>I agree with John on this too, A lousy Help file is a turn off, and so
>are lousy manuals. It is a two edge sword..... Printing costs for these
>products gets expensive. Of course we all want the programs cheaper. I'd
>say full organized manuals can be offered as PDF files on a CD, and if
>you want it printed, go to someone who can duplex on their printer, then
>go to office max and have them make it into a book for a couple of
>bucks. I'd rather an excellent manual on CD, than a crummy one in paper.
>
>Crashes. They are a pain too...... Especially Demos ! No one whos demo
>crashed, has got a dime from me. Sorry. It is hard enough finding time
>to try out a new program in 30 days when it runs. Who needs crashes ?
>
>Oh, and DONGLES !!! I hate them and always fear for when they get a jolt
>of static that takes them out. I feel like I should be able to use the
>program I bought on any one computer at a time. This means I need to
>transfer dongles to my laptop.... Scary. I've heard horror storys. No
>dongle is best, Network dongles are advantageous when they can control
>how many users are active, And if it has to have one, make it USB.
>
>Related... Signlab wants $75 just to swap out my old parallel port
>dongle ! Seems like a lot to me.
>
>I wish we had no crooks.... we wouldn't need licenses or dongles.
>
>
>Chris L
>
>(trimmed neatly for our slow bandwith friends)
>
>
>Addresses:
>FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
>FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
>Post Messages: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
>
>Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
>Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@yahoogroups.com, wanliker@...
>Moderator: jmelson@... timg@... [Moderator]
>URL to this group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
>
>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 to be 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.
>
>NOTICE: ALL POSTINGS TO THIS GROUP BECOME PUBLIC DOMAIN BY POSTING THEM. DON'T POST IF YOU CAN NOT ACCEPT THIS.....NO EXCEPTIONS........
>bill
>List Mom
>List Owner
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19!
----------------+----------+--------------------------+---------------------
An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no
weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his
hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a
on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ
----------------+----------+--------------------------+---------------------

Constitutional Government is dead, LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------