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

I finally settled for Dolphin partmaster level 3. The sale team
contacted me and gave me a very good deal. I strongly recommend to
contact them in case you are interested but you think it is too
expensive (as I thought too).
I had time to play quite a lot with it so far and produced a few
pieces. I really like the CAD software. I find it easy to use and with
a lot of useful options. The CAD also allows you to produce directly
G-codes, so it is already some sort of CAD/CAM software. This cam
feature is however buggy and not very flexible, so I don't recommend
to use it.
This is not a problem as partmaster level 3 comes with its own CAM
software. So when you are done drawing you can click on a button to
import the drawing to the CAM software. The cam software also has a
few bugs and weirdness but you learn to play around and overall it is
easy to use. For example, I use mach3 and could never use the mach3
postprocessor as it create g-code not compatible with mach3. However
the Master5 postprocessor works very well with mach3, try it if you
also encounter problems with the mach 3 postprocessor. One thing I
don't like is the license system. You can only install your license on
1 computer. You can later remove it and install it on another
computer, but you won't be able to have a copy on your laptop and
desktop simultaneously (they do give you a discount on the second
license, and if you really need two licenses you still get a very good
deal I believe).
Overall I am very pleased. It has been a little frustrating at first
once you learn the weakness of the program, you end up with an easy to
use CAD/CAM, cheap and powerful. There is also a yahoo group dedicated
to it which I am sure can be very useful.

Christian

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Kelly" <tech@...> wrote:
>
> I use solid edge 2d. It's a great cad package.
> Caveat, I learned 3d cad on the solid edge 3d...
>
> PK
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of concombrefrais
> Sent: Saturday, 28 June 2008 10:05 PM
> 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, "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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