Re: VisualMill (was BobCAD/CAM)

3b. Re: VisualMill (was BobCAD/CAM)
Posted by: "Jack McKie" freshwatermodels@... freshwatermodels
Date: Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:26 pm ((PDT))

Andrew,

The chart on Mecsoft's web shows fairly limited 3D functions. The Pro version has all the bells and whistles. In any event I plan to purchase Visual mill or Rhinocam. I like the stand alone aspect of Visualmill but like the integration of Rhinocam and am having a hard time deciding on which. I have to learn more about the features. Do you use Rhino/Rhinocam?

Jack

[I do use Rhino/RhinoCAM, more than I use VisualMill, because of the convenience factor. It comes in a regular version and Pro, same as VisualMill. The Pro version definitely has more goodies like plunge roughing and a lot of extra remachining strategies (for a full list check the comparison chart at http://www.mecsoft.com/Mec/Products/products.shtml ) but the regular version does work in both 2.5d and 3d modes. With both parallel and waterline toolpathing strategies, roughing and finishing, plus radial and spiral cutting, it is certainly enough to get you started, and you can always upgrade to a higher version if you feel that you need the extra functions.

VisualMill has recently gone to a new 6.0 version, but they haven't ported that to RhinoCAM yet; Mecsoft says that should be ready by July or so. They are also working on a 5-axis continuous milling module; that's expected in late summer this year as well. I'll need to adapt a machine to try that out...]

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com



Andrew Werby <andrew@...> wrote:
1l. Re: BobCAD/CAM
Posted by: "Jack McKie" freshwatermodels@... freshwatermodels
Date: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:09 pm ((PDT))

Shawn,

If you can afford Mastercam go for it and don't look back. I am learning Rhino and love it. I plan to use Visualmill as a cam but it is only 2.5D though they offer a more $ which supports more axis. Much depends on your wallet and what you want to accomplish. If $ was no object I would get Mastercam and continue to use Rhino.

Jack

[It seems you've been misinformed, Jack. The base version of VisualMill is a 3d program; it also does 2.5d. The 4-axis module costs more, but that's to support an additional rotary axis parallel to X; something that's not necessary for 3d milling (although it's certainly nice to have). Since you like Rhino, you might be interested in RhinoCAM, which is a plug-in that has all the features of VisualMill in the Rhino environment. This makes it easy to make minor changes to the model or machining regions without having to switch programs. There's also a Pro version of VisualMill and RhinoCAM that has a wide range of high-end functions including 4th axis support, as well as various remachining options. I think it competes pretty well with MasterCAM feature for feature, although its price is lower.]

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com