List of CAD/CAM Software

[Ulsterman]

MasterCam would be the best and most used in the world for CNC software -------2D/3D/5 axis/Router/RobotMaster for 6 axis machining -But its not cheap -----Most of the other ones you mentioned are used for drawing and some don't have machining capabilities/G code processing

[m.marino]

John,

Vectric is listed last on the top list, which in my view really does not do it justice as Vectric is a family of CAM software with one that is professional grade CAD/CAM program (mainly for Furniture, Cabinet, and sign-makers but has more uses as well). They are Cut2D (have not used), Cut3D (own and use regularly), VCarvePro v7 is current version (I own and use on many projects), PhotoVCarve (great for Lithophanes among other uses), and the top of the hill Aspire (don't own a copy yet). If you are looking for good software with solid support without a huge bill I would seriously look into these.

I also use CamBam for Engineering type 3D work (Cut3D work on a plane of a work surface and as such has some limits). Takes a bit more time to do proper set up but is a very good product. I have used others but, currently don't.

CAD side of things I use ViaCAD Pro v8 which does most of what I need done and work well with both 2D and 3D modeling. I am fortunate enough to be a beta tester for them on ViaCAD and Shark which does give me some bias but they are a good product for the cost.

Biggest issue for CAD/CAM is ROI; that and learning curve. Some of the modern CAD packages try to get folks stuck with them by having such a huge learning curve that once you have gotten over it you don't want to go through the headache again. So for a small shop I would strongly suggest going with solid programs that do the job instead of bells and whistles.

Just my 2p Michael

[dazza]

artcam express is worth a mention, about 100 quid, good software for the money.

[JAZZCNC]

Desk Proto is easy and good 3D CAM package. Good for 4th Axis work has well.

DeskProto: 3D CNC machining for non-machinists. STL file milling for any CNC milling machine

[routercnc]

I only need to cut 2D parts so my workflow/software is:

CAD: AutoCAD (expensive and probably more capable than hobbiest needs) - create drawings and convert into dxf file(s)

CAM: dxf file into Vectric Cut 2D (excellent, simple to use, intuitive, good forum/support, around £120 seem to remember) to create toolpaths and generate Gcode

PostProcessing: MACH3 (full version, around £115) to turn Gcode into commands sent to the CNC machine to cut out parts

Works well for me for cutting out plywood, balsa, liteply, and the occasional aluminium part.

[EddyCurrent]

I downloaded the excellent and free 'Blender' software today with a view to using it as my 3D design tool, it can export to stl files, but having loaded it up I feel the learning curve is way too big.
I'm thinking Aspire may be a good all rounder for the stuff I want to produce but mainly due to the cost I'll need to look a lot deeper first.

[jonnie]

Hi Eddycurrent

I am very happy with Aspire - try the demo version, you can only output Gcode for some prebuilt examples but apart from
that its fully functional, seems to be a good responsive company.

Blender has fans but I cannot recall many who do not report issues regards the learning curve which is down to a rather idiosyncratic interface rather than complexity in what you are doing. Blenders roots are in animation rather than modelling and
it was developed as an inhouse tool to be used by pro's in that field - over the years they have tried to improve the interface but I think they have a way to go. There are some books for Blender and if you want to give it a serious go I would recommend buying one of the books - online docs and tutorials often lack something in this respect.

For me Blender ultimately fails (for modelling) because I believe that CADCAM software should be inherently intuitive to use - in my book if you have to look in the instruction manual (much) then at a useability level the software fails - of course complex software may need a complex interface so I am over generalising but at the same time I think Solidworks amply demonstrated over a decade ago that solid modelling could be easy and intuitive, you should be able to dive in and have fun rather than spend time wrestling with an interface.

When I first used Aspire I was reminded of my first encounter with Solidworks when it originally came out - nice easy interface, very little need to read before you play which is of course a great way to learn.

Aspire does lack full parametric modelling in the sense that when you change a 2D vector (drawing) the object you previously created from it does not update - it is orphaned, sign writers wanting to experiment through a lot of possible fonts may find this slightly taxing but full parametric modelling is not trivial to implement since changes to one feature can affect a subsequent feature. This is not to say that you cannot alter features once created, there is an impressive array of post processes that can be applied but at the same time it may be easier to simply delete a feature and start over (if for instance you have changed your mind regarding which font to use for text). Now that I am used to this I really do not mind I just adjust my workflow a little.

Given the price I am very pleased and indeed impressed with Aspire it runs without complaint on my windows8 machine although I do run with an i7 processor so I would probably be blissfuly unaware of any performance issues.

BTW also consider *.obj files as a good way to transfer models from one piece of software to another.

[Tom J]

Desk Proto is easy and good 3D CAM package. Good for 4th Axis work has well.

DeskProto: 3D CNC machining for non-machinists. STL file milling for any CNC milling machine

Thanks Dean
I like it and price is affordable - hobby use

[jonnie]

Hi

I would add the following "artistic" scupting orientated packages

Sculptris - free and amazing
Zbrush - paid

Not for engineering - expressive and freeform but they have a place after all the keyword is CADesign.

[gedereco]

I'm looking for a cad/cam program but undecided between vectric or artcam. Both look good as I'm only using my machine to cut toys out of wood, mdf or making toy boxes. So undecided , what does everyone else think?