Re: Which CAD/CAM Package

Hello,

We know more now but still there's a coupla, IMO, pretty important
things left to know before recommending a pkg...

What do you intend to make with your 3 axis mill?

If it's going to be engine parts, then that's different from 3d molds
or sculpture. Will text be integral to what you're doing? (A lot of
engraving, or as an added part of something else you're making?)Is
this mostly gonna be 2-1/2 D work, or fully modelled 3d forms?

And next, How do you think? And work?

Because rhino/visualmill and the other solid modelling ilk is a whole
lot different than traditional "drafting" packages...

Would you rather create the whole "model" of the project, and
then "pull" 2d drawings from it? Or do you prefer to work a part at a
time? Are you interested in having drawings at all? (means on paper,
that you carry around) Or is it enough to have your project "live" in
the digital realm?

Hopefully these questions will get you thinking about how you might
want to evaluate the choices before you, as those choices relate TO
YOU!

We ALL have our favorites; and they're usually based on one of three
things: That's what we learned first, and we have stuck with it.
That's what we were required to use (for many different reasons).Or,
That's what works mostly the way WE do.

Sounds like you may be fortunate in not being covered by the 1st or
2nd reason above. Which means you can to choose a package that
most "suits" YOU, and what YOU're trying to do...

The good news is that no matter what you end up with; it's more than
a bit likely that you will find others here on CCED who use it, and
love it...

Hope this helps,

Ballendo

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "mmurray70 <mmurray70@n...>"
<mmurray70@n...> wrote:

> First of all, thanks for the amazing response to my "Learing
> Autocad" thread. Some of you guys have brought it to my attention
> that Autocad may not be the best choice for my situation so I

though

> I'd post this question and see what you guys think.
>
> I'm only interested in CNC work. And at a small scale, I'll be
> useing small 3 axis mill. This is primarily intended for something
> in my spare time. Its not something that I'll be doing as a career
> and I'm not interested in years of education towards it.
>
> So what do you guys recommend for both CAD and CAM software? I just
> asumed it would be better to go with Autocad, the "industry
> standard", and get a seperate CAM program for converting to G code.
> Am I better off getting getting a package that does both or get
> seperate programs?
>
> I've heard good things on Rhino, Solid works and Vector in the past
> but I kinda decided on Autocad (havent bought it yet!) since its so
> popular. Should I rethink my decision? Please post any opinions.
> Thanks in advance!