Hi ,again on zbrush Yesterday I found this many year old link about cnc on zbrush forum. Here we have a forum on cnc with little info on 3d software. There they have a forum on 3d art software with very little on cnc ,but how informative . I am starting to figure out the difference between mesh, quad ,nurb ,polysurface and why the need to work with many softwares to get the best result .
Normand

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=31642

Another aspect of 3D design that might be important to a designer is whether or not the software is parametrically driven.

With Rhino, you get the best 3D surfacing tools out there. The downside is that you can layer your model, but there are no relationships between the different parts of your model.

With Solidworks / CATIA you create 'dimensional relationships' within your model, so that say you decide to extend it by 2cm, the part will auto-adjust based on how you defined those relationships, with Rhino you could try to stretch but you will be most likely re-drawing parts of your model. Not a big deal as Rhino's tools are so good, but something that is worth mentioning.

The good thing is that Rhino is just plain cheap, but it lacks some capabilities, but luckily they are always not needed...

I know that solid works used to lack a lot of tools for surface modeling tools and accurateness, some people belive that's still true. I am not sure what the status is right now.

At the company I used to work we used PTC Wildfire (it was a yacht yard, nothing is straight there...) which both handles parametric constrains AND surface modeling very well.

However, looking at the sort of work the mechmate is doing I don't think anybody really needs wildfire, Solidworks and/or Rhino. (many be rhiono for the special shapes??)

However, if you are in the sort of business where you make a lot of custom sizes from standard components for example make this nice kitchen cabinet 2cm larger, then it beats Autocad and similar tools hands down for speed of development. We spend over 100K on training, tools and computers for 2 work places and our ROI was within a little over a year...

Ries

free parametric module for Rhino http://www.grasshopper3d.com/
Normand

South African rhino
http://www.simplyrhino.co.uk/about/RSA.html

Thanks Normand

I have used Rhino,Artcam,Zbrush and AutoCad. I am a journeyman machinist and tool and die maker who turned cnc programmer and 3d modeler. I have found that the job determines the program to use. 85% of the time I had to use multiple programs to get the results I wanted. I have even had to use corel draw many times in my 3d cnc projects. Example: Zbrush can produce better and finer textures such as snake skin but Artcam has nice relief features that enable an offset thickness to easily be placed on a model. So depending on the job, one may need numerous programs. How will one know when? I believe Geralds answer was suitable. Stick with basic 2d cuts until there is a real need for another software. Use that specific job to learn what software works best. Mentaly log that experience etc. Thats pretty much the way it goes.

Here is a good link to Rhino3d tutorial and also the mind twister grasshopper plugin
http://www.digitaltoolbox.info/

Lloyd.
Perfect analogy.
My "normal" day of creating files usually goes like this:
- autocad
- coreldraw
- autocad again
- rhino
- may vertric 3d,
then to mach 3.

Yep - do what it takes,
Sean

@All.

I got a mail from Alibre, there CAD/CAM package is on sale:

Discount till February 28th 2010
Alibre Design Pro with Annual Support and Version Upgrades (Old price $1848) Discounted to $644
Alibre Design CAM with Annual Support and Version Upgrades (Old price $1299) Discounted to $1049
Total Cost $1693

Sounds like a very nice deal.

Ries

Same as Alibre Solidworks joint Mecsoft for cam plugin .It is the same cam as Rhinocam


http://www.visualmillforsolidworks.com/

Artcam all in one solution?
 

So check my thinking here please, Buy artcam this covers all my design needs then get Mach 3 to run the machine.. No other software needed at this point correct?

Mojo,

I don't think that Artcam is a all-in-one solution for everybody. The software you need depends on your actual needs. May be you can explain first what your needs are?

Well the question wasn't really about wether artcam is the right software from a design aspect, but wether or not that's all I need in regards to taking a design from a program (artcam) to the machine (Mach 3) to final product. Do I need anything to translate from artcam to Mach 3? Do I need something else for say tool path (I believe artcam does tool path) thank 

Artcam can generate toolpath out of vectors or relief and with postprocessor which it has you can export it as gcode for Mach3.

Thak you

Mojo,

in that case, Artcam can generate the G-Code for you...

However, depending on what you're doing, you may be spending 10 times more than you need to by going with ArtCAM.

Ger, just about everyone I know has been offered a free illegal copy of ArtCAM somewhere along the line and I suspect this is the reason that we have so many newbie questions about ArtCAM. Folk want to know if it is worthwhile investing the time for the learning curve assuming that they are not actually going to be spending any dollars.

If you get a software package for free, you have to think about if you invest your time learning it, what are you going to do 5 years down stream when you want to upgrade and the package cost even more. I think it is important to buy your CAM software and that is what makes the Vectric products good. They are very capable and are reasonable priced.

...I can just say, I like the feeling of owning my software and being able to call the manufacturer for support when I need it.

Sean the only thing I hate about that is if there is a dongle involved you have to look after it like gold don`t lose it or get it stollen then you are as one can say f...

Hennie, I have felt that pain!
Couldn't agree more.

I have downloaded rhinoceros 4 evaluation and I must say I think I might just get the licence.I have designed my go-kart suspention and modefied the body with it and it is only two weeks that I have been playing with it.Quite easy to work with.

Hennie,
If you purchase Rhino4, then get the RhinoCAM & 4th axis module(if you need it) - you can pretty much tool anything you want.

Works exceptionally well.

Check post 56 for a better price on rhino and rhinocam

Hi all.

I have no background with CAD and i am trying to decide for a software.

It is for my waterjet project. ( CAM software to use will be Sheetcam)

Is there a suggestion for a friendly and tested 2D CAD software.

Thanks

You can use DraftSight from Dassault its free

http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/overview/

http://www.turbocad.com/TurboCAD/Tur...6/Default.aspx

TurboCad for drafting. This version is almost identical to AutoCad Lite

Affordable
Well Tested
Well supported

Then for converting to 2d cut profiles......

http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectr.../c2d_index.htm

Affordable
Well Tested
Well supported

+1 for Vectric products, It's brilliant ! Intuitive with a good preview abilities.
I tested Aspire (which contains Cut2D features, and more).
Cut2D doesn't have a lot of features, but it's a nice and affordable software.
Cut2D does well what's meant to do.

Hi Sean.

I read some days ago about 2D CUT, and understud it is a CAM software

Does it have CAD capabilities. ??

Thanks

Hi Axel.

Just to read your comment.

What about 2D CUT CAD capabilities. ??

Hi Danilo.

I downloaded draftsight this morning.

Thanks

Guillermo,
The links were for 2 solutions:

Cad = TurboCAD
CAM = Cut2D or any of the Vectric products

Ok Seam

Let me take a look.

Thanks

Àxel and Sean

Downloded the 2D Cut trial version and you are right.

It is a very friendly software and it alone have the drawing capabilities

needed for the job.

Thanks