Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Recommended CAM software? - BobCad

> The Vector copy you get with your Sherline mill is CAD only, so you were
> NEVER going to generate G-Code with that program.

Oh, I knew that. But the process is supposed to be kinda like:
Learn the interface/2D
Learn 3D (or 2.5D)
Enter your own parts
buy G-Code generator
make G-code
Make parts...

My point was that the whole process was still born at step one. The
example, as written, weren't working for me and my threshoold of
pain was exceeded. A shame, really.

> There are a lot of simple
> parts that can be coded by hand or Microsoft Excel (my personal favorite
> choice). But there are MANY programs that coding by hand just doesn't do
> it. For me, I got Vector in order to do some true-type text engraving and
> it paid for itself the first day I used it.

Exactly so. Plus, depending on how complex your part/coding is,
*changing* hand coded stuff can be a real bear. And if ever the
pain level there gets high enough, I'll probably go back and give it
another shot. When the pain is, relatively speaking, less.

As an aside, can it do something like raised text in a sunken
pocket? That's on of the things I'd like (but don't yet "need") to
do. And I ost definately am not going to be hand coding that. :)

> In general, I do not use it for much else, and anytime I can't get something
> to work because of the very crappy help files, Fred will answer my questions
> immediately. Without Fred's support the Vector program would be no better
> received than BobCAD, IMO.

Sigh... That's a double edged sword. I've only heard good things about
Fred. But what if...? He's like the ultimate "dongle" if you can't
use the program without him... Besides, there was just no way I
was going to start asking for help at step one on a free product.

Jeff