Re: Which CAD/CAM Package

Which of the low cost (or free) programs can import and export
Autocad compatable files?

Paul N.


-- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Bernard R
<bwjarandall@c...>" <bwjarandall@c...> wrote:

> Again depends on what type of machining you're going to do. I

ended

> up with Rhino/VM because I found many of the G code conversion
> programs had problems dealing with Acad's bulge factor when

importing

> dxf files, and many times dxf need manipulation to re-arrange the
> order of the various curves. From previous posts on the subject a
> lot of people have spent a lot of time evaluating free/cheap CAD /
> CAM packages, quite a few seem to have taken up the special offer,
> valid to the end of this month I believe, of Rhino/VM, others

swear

> by Vector or Dolphin.
>
> MO if its all new to you, you spend a lot of time wondering why
> things don't happen the way you think they should and it doesn't

help

> if the various software packages don't tie together very well.
>
> Bernard
>
> --- 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 reccomend 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!