RE: Best 2.5D cad/cam solution under $300

Hi Christian,
For 2.5D CAD, you have several options. I personally use the
www.eMachinShop.com utility. It's free, very intuitive, and great for
geometric shapes. It's really designed for submitting jobs to them for
production, but it has a convenient DXF export option.

Since you own LazyCAM, spend some time getting to know it. It's a great
product, even though it's still in development. It will take a 2D DXF and
allow you to generate 2.5D tool paths.

I have MeshCAM and like it very much. However, it will NOT do 2.5D work.
It's designed and optimized for 3D. Rhino is a great package but has a
steep learning curve. If you're just starting out in the software realm, go
with what you already have. You can always spend money later. :-)

Thanks,
Andrey Lipavsky
Essex Jewelers
490 E. McMillan St.
Studio 205
Cincinnati, OH 45206
Phone (513) 826-0240
Fax (866) 653-9702
www.essexjewelers.com


From: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of concombrefrais
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 11:33 AM
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Best 2.5D cad/cam solution under $300

I own mach3 and lazycam that came with. I never used lazycam. Does
anyone has experienced it? How well does it perform for 2.5D work?

Also, I don't have a CAD software. Do you have a recommendation for
2.5D work? I can get Rhino for $200 and meshcam for $100 (student
price). Would you recommend these two programs together at this price?
What about Meshart?

In brief what is a good combination CAD/Cam for 2.5D at a reasonable
price.
Any suggestion is welcome!
Thanks in advance,

Christian



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