CNC Software recomendations

[Polmer]

Hello,

I read the recent posts from Wendy & Westozy about there new found love for the CNC , and frankly, I have become quite jealous. Instead of standing on the sideline, I have decided to jump in myself and buy a modest CNC DIY kit.

My question here is actually about CNC software.
What Cad/Cam software would you recommend for the building cockpit panels?


I am looking for the functionality I need, without all of the stuff i will never use. I have looked at G-simple ( its free!), but it doesnt look like it offers much on the engraving options/fonts/etc.

Keep in mind, I am not an engineer, and hoping to use something that wont make take me years to figure out or cost a bundle.

I will be using Mach 3 to control the CNC.


Thanks,


~Polmer

[Westozy]

Hi Polmer,

I highly recommend VCarvePro5 from Vectric, it's a little pricey but if you think about what you can achieve with it, it becomes priceless! It cost me about AUD$600 but I recovered that with the first job I produced with it. If you just want to make panels for your own sim, you will get extremely high quality panels comparable to some of our high end suppliers and we all know what they charge! Plastic is quite cheap and results come quickly, VCarve is not hard to learn. If you go to www.vectric.com you can watch the training videos, these helped me immensely. They also helped me decide to choose VCarve.

Cheers Gwyn

[iwik]

Hi Polmer,
Im new to CNC myself and bought Cut2D from Vectric.This is a much lighter version than what Gwyn uses(his can do 3D) but for ease of use and a beginner i think its a winner.Itll only do 2D ,d/l the trial and cut their samples and see what you think.I didnt want anything complex and like you
take to long to master.Very pleased with the results ,couldnt justify the price of VcarvePro for the amount i would use it.

Good Luck with your CNCing.

Rgds
Les

[Buddym]

Hi,

I use BobCad V23 and Mach3, and sometimes EMC. Bobcad is pretty awesome and generates g-code right from the cad, as well as dxf files, etc. It does 2d, 3d, skinning, etc. A lot of advanced features I don't know how to use yet. It also has a virtual CNC simulator so once you get a part designed you can watch it simulate the cut to make sure it cuts what you think it should. There is also a program called AlleyCad that I have used some, pretty good. The BobCad is comparable to Autocad, and you can get some pretty good pricing if you call and talk to them. I think Alleycad is free for home use.

Buddy

[Perik]

Hello Polmer.

Seems most people are using Mach3 as controlling software - good choice!!

When it comes to 2D/3D path and tooling there's seems to be quite a list to select from.
I landed on SheetCam for 2D - actually a bundle of SheetCam and Mach (£195 from www.sheetcam.com).
I paid a lot less 2 years back.
For 3D I use MeshCam ( www.grzsoftware.com ) $175.

For drawing I mostly use CorelDraw 12 (You'll find it for less than $100 on Ebay).
Corel is easy to learn and also good for making illustrations, but any drawing apps. capable
of exporting to dxf, hpgl etc. will do - from lowend (freeware) to mid-range ($X000) SolidEdge, SolidWorks etc).

For PCB schematics and layout I use Diptrace (www.diptrace.com).
First 300 PAD's are free - no size limit.
If you need more ask for Non-profit licens ($125/4 layers, 1000 PAD's)

Anyway - be prepared to invest in some software. It's "no free lunch" in this game.

Happy milling and go for it - you'll never regret!

[Polmer]

Thanks for the suggestions!
I will start looking into them.

I have the responces summarized below;



VCarvePro5 , Vetric $600 AUD
Cut2D from Vectric
BobCad V23
SheetCam for 2D
MeshCam, $ 175
CorelDraw 12 ( for drawings)
Diptrace ( for PCB work)

[phil744]

Even I am starting to get the hang of this CNC stuff

Controll software im also running Mach3, i seriously reccomend geting a 17inch touch screen for it, not only does it look cool and make you feel rather smug about it but if your cutting aluminium you end up with aluminium chips screwing your mouse/trackballl and keyboard up, currently making small control panel with joystick for jogging and other controls, Mach3 allows you to basically do what you like, thinking of using it also on the laser cutter.

But just to echo what everyone else has said, Vetric Vcarve Pro and cut 3D are both brilliant software packages, those are what i use, also have construCAM 3D but i could never get my head around that program.

[Westozy]

I forgot to mention that I am also using Mach 3 - it's great!!! Don't forget to fit an emergency stop button lol...

Gwyn

[maliga00]

I will use in my CNC machine MACH3 for control software. In design I will use artcam pro or insignia. Vcarve pro is another excellent option.
Regards
Alberto

[npbosch]

If you do not have a parallel port (anymore) on your pc then you could think about usbcnc (www.usbcnc.com).
I changed to this software recently because I had to buy a new hardwaredriver. It runs far more smoother then the parallel port.
The usbcnc software can load dfx files, you can enter the measurements of your tools and it comes out with the gcode. Offcourse it can read gcode too. So besides this you only need a drawing program that can output to dfx.