Fill in my knowledge gap :)

[Boyan Silyavski]

Ok, so what sort of part would make you say "well thats a F360 job" over "i'll just do that in Vcarve" ??

I can see that working with the 360 view model is good, complex but good, but it seems most stuff can be done with just 2d views?

I was thinking exactly the same question yesterday night.

The short answer is:
if you are doing X pieces, do it simply and using simple software. If you are to be doing more than XXX pieces, then use more powerful CAM where accordingly spend more time for tuning and perfecting toolpaths.

But when to jump from one method to the other is a question of how much time designing is worth the effort. Another story is that you will have always to invest time in learning better software so one day you could do your job better.

[John S]

Aspire can do some 3D work.
This was done in Aspire

but for parts with curves, think a mobile phone mold etc you need 3D / fusion 360

For most part they are just built up from 2 1/2D parts that Sheetcam can handle fine.

Carry on as you are and jump later if needed. the time for the learning curve is far better spend doing what you can do.

[Davek0974]

Thanks all, i can see that most stuff is possible in 2 or 2.5d software - the big difference as said above is where parts must fit together and you need to make alterations without redrawing all the attaching points and parts - this is a real pain in 2d software.

I will carry on as i am but continue to play with F360 when i get a quiet moment.