BobCAD v24 is there anything better for £150? Any help will be great thanks

**suesi34e** · 11-05-2015

Hi guys,

I am having a tricky time as to what CAD CAM software to go for. What I wish to do is this, draw 3D parts in AutoCAD and then use the DWG in the CAM software. I can get BobCAD v24 for about £150 is there anything better for the that kind of money or anything to consider? I am only going to use the software every now and then.

I did think about CamBam but I guessed there may be better support for learning BobCAD v24

Many thanks

Suesi

**magicniner** · 14-05-2015

I only have experience of V25 but if you ask about V24 there are some experienced users on the CNCZone BobCad forum who will usually respond usefully to such a query, if you go with V24 and there is a Training Professor DVD set available for your version it's well worth getting hold of this and working through it.

Version specific advice is important as I understand there have been serious step-changes in functionality between versions, I've seen comments about 3D functionality being poor which must refer to pre-V25 versions as V25 and above have good 3D CAD and CAM, provided you use the training material and learn how to use the system,
Regards,
Nick

**Musht** · 16-05-2015

Meshcam?

http://www.grzsoftware.com/

**JAZZCNC** · 16-05-2015

Steve I've got the training DVD's for V24.

**suesi34e** · 16-05-2015

Hi Nick,

Thank you for taking the time to put down your thoughts here for me.

All the best

Suesi

**suesi34e** · 16-05-2015

Hi Musht,

I have had a quick look at Meshcam but to be honest I do not have the knowledge to make a decision, not the right one anyhow! I will read up a bit on it though and look on YouTube for some videos.

Many thanks

Suesi

**suesi34e** · 16-05-2015

Hi Jazz,

That is great mate. Perhaps we can have a chat about software when we next speak. But for now the training DVD's sound good I need all the training I can get!

Many thanks

Suesi

**Musht** · 18-05-2015

Meshcam is really a CAM program in that it dosen`t have any drawing facilities internally, need to upgrade to Meshcam Art for some CAD functionallity integrated.

Thats pretty universal amongst this type of software, pay more cash get a higher level of integration at the very top end get things like Aspire that integrate everything for people who`s time is money.

If can tolerate doing some things in one program and others in another can save a lot of cash and produce identical end results.

That said , for a beginner like me anyway, have an OK workflow using Sketchup for CAD and exporting a .STL to Meshcam which makes the machining decisions for me pretty much ;-)

**suesi34e** · 18-05-2015

Hi Musht,

Thank you for your msg. I appreciate you pointing out a bit more about Meshcam but I would not be drawing much in a CAM package even if it has a CAD part. I would sooner draw in AutoCAD or similar and export a DWG or DXF.
Meshcam looks good but I am thinking BobCAD V24 could be easier to learn. I know I am going to regret saying that!
Many thanks for your help here
Suesi

**suesi34e** · 19-05-2015

Originally Posted by suesi34e

Hi Musht,

Thank you for your msg. I appreciate you pointing out a bit more about Meshcam but I would not be drawing much in a CAM package even if it has a CAD part. I would sooner draw in AutoCAD or similar and export a DWG or DXF.
Meshcam looks good but I am thinking BobCAD V24 could be easier to learn. I know I am going to regret saying that!
Many thanks for your help here
Suesi

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