Newbie needs advice on CAD/CAM

[Ardy Reed]

I am a newbie just getting into woodworking. I am currently in the process of building a Rockcliff Model D router and I am wondering when it is finished, what I will use to produce files to run on it. I am mostly interested in doing small projects like signs and some custom design machining. I currently have AutoCAD 2005, no CAM package and no 3D package. What is best for a beginner like me to use based on what I want to do? Is there a combo package available that will do both? By the way, I really don't want to spend $1500.00 just yet either. What is out there for me? Thanks for the help.

[Jerome Stanek]

Check out the Vectric line of software you can start out with Vcave pro and later upgrade to Aspire.

[George Carlson]

I use CamBam. It's a very easy program to use for 2 and 2.5D g-code generation. Since it does a great job of reading DXF files, it would be a good G-Code generator to use with AutoCAD. The licensed vesion is $150. You can download the full version and use it (limited to 500 lines). If you like it, you can then buy the license and use it unlimited.

[John McClanahan]

For sign making, and to learn on, 2.5D cam software might be a good choice. The 2.5D adds a single cut depth to the 2D CAD file. For example, you can tell the CAM software to cut 3/8", in 3 passes, each 1/8" deep.

If you choose Vectric software, they will let you upgrade to 3D later on.


John

[Ardy Reed]

Thanks for the advice. I will check out all of these. Are any of you going to IWF next week? My dad and I are going. I'm pretty excited.

[james mcgrew]

come by the booth and introduce yourself, you may get to meet kieth outten and some others from the forum

camaster.com

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[Ardy Reed]

Awesome, I will definately stop by.

[Paul Johnstone]

If you already have autocad to make your STL files, try out Deskproto.. the hobbyist licenses are very affordable. They have a 30 day trial that allows you to actually cut things.

Some things Deskproto does better than Vectric software, other things Vectric does better.. (I have both)..

[Keith Outten]

We made the 600 mile drive to Atlanta yesterday. I will be at IWF this morning.
Looking forward to visiting with everyone again.

Ardy, I'm a big fan of Vectric software.

[Ardy Reed]

Enjoyed the show. It was a pleasure meeting some of you guys. The guys at Vectric and Camaster were great. I picked up the Vectric trial software while there and I am playing with it now.

[james mcgrew]

it was good to meet you too !

[Matt McColley]

For CAM packages...

BobCAD/CAM is pretty good for the money.... make sure you dicker with them because they do deal and will call back with a better offer. In fact, they'll hound you for years. :^)

We run the 2D Enroute package and really like it. Very easy to use. Very intuative. Good support. But pricey!

We do all of our CAD in either AutoCAD or SolidWorks.