Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Recommended CAM software? Vector of course?

Software can be a very personal thing. If a software package works in a
different way to the way you do then it can be an uphill struggle. This
does not mean there is anything wrong with it, it just does not work for
you. When trying to find a piece of software for a particular task I try
to find as many as possible and try them all. Usually one will 'click'
and seem to me to be easier than the others to use.

If Vector does not work for you then try Dolphin, DeskCNC or my own
SheetCam. They all have free downloads so the only thing you can lose is
a bit of time.


Les

http://www.sheetcam.com/

>
>
> Fred, here's the thing... Everyone seems to think Vector a great
> product, best bang for the buck and all of that and I'm inclined to
> believe them. But *I* gave up. Admittedly only after a few hours.
> A few painful hours.
>
> I've been drawing schematics, laying out PCBs and desiging parts on
> paper since I can't remember when. And I've been using software to
> do everything but part for well over a decade. When I tried to work
> through the examples, try as I might, I couldn't get the results
> described or figure out what they were trying say. Maybe my previous
> experience and expectations made it harder than it needed to be.
> Maybe the interface is simply 180 degrees out of phase with my
> personality. Maybe I didn't try hard enough. Dunno.
>
> What I do know is that the only way to describe me feelings and
> frustrations is it's rather like having your hands cut off - you know
> what you want to do, you know how (under other circumstances) to do
> what you want to do, but everything you try either does nothing or
> makes matters worse and everything you read assumes everyting you've
> tried previously worked. I got literally angry. Perhaps at myself
> for not getting it. Perhaps at the programmers (being a programmer
> myself, I'm fairly unforgiving there). Perhaps at the tutorial or
> it's translation. In any case, angry enough to walk away, take a
> breather, try something else (raw G-Code) and I never went back.
>
> Now, whenever a user isn't "getting it", the first answer is RTFM,
> right? Only that's what I was trying to do. No joy.
>
> The next answer is usually read the FAQ. Interestingly, nobody's said
> that yet (is there one?). But we all know that FAQs are usually long
> lists of selling points or a long list of things that *should* already
> be in the manual. I was already drowning in the manual. Aditional
> lists of things the product is capable of or the nuances of doing them
> weren't what I needed.
>
> Formums, I confess, I never even tried. For three reasons. First,
> forums generally contain the stuff that hasn't made it into the FAQ or
> manual. Sort of an FAQ for the FAQ, which I didn't need. Second,
> forums tend to be prohibitively volumous. Third, I'm a bright guy who
> *should* be able to figure it out. And no doubt can, given enough
> time and effort I will. I'm not (generally) given to asking stupid
> questions that scream "I can't be bothered to learn this stuff, would
> someone please spoon feed me?" (which, of course, is supposed to be
> purpose of the tutorial, no?).
>
> Then there's the free help... This speaks well of your company
> that the help is that good. It also speaks well of your core product
> because even free help can't salvage bad software. But it is problematic
> in several ways. First there's that "won't ask stupid questions" thing.
> Secondly there's the "no free lunch" thing, so conscientious people know
> using it keeps the prices up (or, arguably, justifies stupid questions
> if you've already paid for em anyway). Mostly, however, it leaves me
> feeling semi-justified in my frustrations; generally programs that are not
> intuitive (WordPerfect back in the day comes to mind) *have* to have free
> world class help, whereas those with intuitive interfaces, well writen
> manuals, well writen help and good indexes to each generally get by with
> next to nothing in the way of helpdesk support.
>
> So, when I get back to Vector (I don't think it's an "if"), you'll
> probably be hearing from me. It'll be a while though. I'm not looking
> forward to renewing that fight.
>
> Jeff
>
>