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

Hi Christian,
Something many have raved about, although I have no experience with, is
Google SketchUp, http://sketchup.google.com/. The core is free and so are
most of the plug-ins. It may be worth investigating.

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: Saturday, June 28, 2008 10:05 AM
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Best 2.5D cad/cam solution under $300

Thank you all for your suggestions. And yes, by 2.5D I mean "what you
can do with a manual mill", so no artistic fancy carving but only
combination of pockets, drills...

I am thinking getting either sheetcam or cut2d from vetric. Dolphin is
too expensive for my budget. Meshcam is a 3d cam which has been
recommended to me and the price seems very good. But I need only 2.5D
cam and the sheetcam/cut2d are probably more adapted to the simpler
task (or not? Let me know if you disagreee.)
Lazycam looks like a good bet as well but it is still under
development and I'd rather get a more finish product. I heard very
good thing about lazycam though, so I might change my mind. Plus the
support is great.
For 3d CAD, the emachine shop sounds like a good suggestion (and
FREE!). Rhino seems to be the reference and they have very good deal
for students.
For 2d, which is what I need rigth now, I found SolidEdge 2d, which is
offered free by Siemens. I will try is out as it seems to be a great
FREE one, from what I heard. Also CADx11 is free and supposed to be
very good, I'll try it too.
There is a also Gsimple which I have been using the last few weeks. It
is a free CAD/CAM. It is simple to use but has some limitations . It
is free though and the guy behind is very nice.

That's my findings so far. Let me know if you have other suggestions.
I'll let you know what I find works best for me. Thanks again!

Christian

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO%40yahoogroups.com> , "Rodney" <rodneydeeeee@...>
wrote:

>
> Christian,
>
> Dolphin CAD/CAM specializes in 2.5D. It's also both complete CAD &
> CAM. <edited> [removed phone number and sales person info].
>
> FROM MODERATOR:
>
> For commercial vendors we ask you just respond with general info and

a website link.

>
> Tom Caudle
> Moderator/Owner
>
>
>
>
> >
> > 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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