Re: Cad software

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "apaulsalerno"
<apaulsalerno@y...> wrote:

>
> Ive asked this before, some comments would be appreciated. What

is a

> decent CAD program for hobby or small shop use. Something not to
> expensive, but capable and well written?

If you already know a CAD program, you will never be satisfied until
you by it or a clone. Do so by all means, and get on with enjoying
your CNC hobby.

However, if you have no preconcieved notions about how Autocad is
supposed to work (or you don't like it), you may want to try
Vector. IMService has offered a cad only version of Vector Cad-Cam
to hobbyists for many years. The price is less than $60.

Vector is very easy to use and has the ability to control both
sequence and direction of DXF entities when you export. It also
includes an offset function that allows you to create tool center
paths (with gouge avoidance) from to-size drawings.

Combined with a free dxf to g-code program like Ace converter, you
won't need any additional cad-cam software for simple 2 axis
machining.

Combined with DeskCNC ( which is not a CAD program Dave ) ($250) you
have complex pocketing and routing capabiities, pcb, 3D stl,
engraving and image file cnc programming.

If you need more powerful cad-cam for lathe, mill or 4 axis
foam/wire EDM, rotary 4th axis, or 3D surface design and machining,
consider the full Vector Cad-Cam program, which is also deeply
discounted for hobbyists.

The links to the Vector Cad-CAM hobby discounts are found in my
signature.

Best Regards,

Fred Smith - IMService
http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/hobby