Re: Giving up on Vector CADCAM .. alternatives?

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Alan Rothenbush <alan@...> wrote:

>
> I've been struggling with the dreadful documentation provided when I purchased version 11 of Vector CADCAM (clearly written for an earlier .. and different .. version of the program). I upgraded to version 12 in the spring, hoping that some better docs might be forthcoming.
>
> Sadly, six months later, I'm still running with a demo license and there's no sign of any new documentation.

Alan,

There are nearly 100 pages of new documentation for Vector 12, these have been posted on the Vector user forum for several months. Much of that documentation has been written in a tutorial fashion, rather than as purely technical written descriptions.

If you need any specific help getting your Vector running, please feel free to call, e-mail or post on the Vector user forum with questions.

If you are really giving up and not asking for help, there are 3 popular Windows programs that will work with your DXF files for 2 1/2 axis milling. All support milling, drilling, and pocketing.

1) Cut 2D - Vectric - $142
2) Sheetcam - Stable Design - $165 also available in a linux version
3) DeskCNC - Carken - $250 also includes flat and rotary, 3D surface machining, PCB milling, text engraving, image file engraving and carving, and 4 axis hotwire machining.

1) and 2) support tabbing if you need to cut parts from a surrounding sheet, without breaking free during the cutout process.

EZ-CNC is a book that will get you up to speed quickly, it was specifically written to support DeskCNC image file and DXF processing.

None of these support turning.

Fred Smith - IMService
http://www.imsrv.com