Is Rams 2D software still in business.?

[David Watson2]

I do not get any response from their email tech support.

[Dan Hintz]

That webpage is from the 80's

I see very little detail on what the program can do, and nothing on the actual program itself (no try-it versions to download, etc.). Is this something you already own? If not, I'm not sure what the real draw to it is...

[David Watson2]

That webpage is from the 80's

I see very little detail on what the program can do, and nothing on the actual program itself (no try-it versions to download, etc.). Is this something you already own? If not, I'm not sure what the real draw to it is...

Yes, I bought it years ago to generate G code for my Sherline CNC. It had a software dongle and over the years would quit recognizing it occasionally. I would have to get their tech support to issue a new license key.



I am looking at Artcam Express to replace it. I have the Demo and find it to be 10 times the program RAM's
was.

[Leo Voisine]

Is this it?

http://www.rams3d.com/index.htm

[David Watson2]

Yes . That is the site. None of the emails answer back. So I assume they are gone.

[John Stevenson]

If you are interested in Artcam then have a look at Vectric
www.vectric.com

Awesome software,affordable and very, very good support both from Vectric themselves and from there very loyal user base.

[David Watson2]

If you are interested in Artcam then have a look at Vectric
www.vectric.com

Awesome software,affordable and very, very good support both from Vectric themselves and from there very loyal user base.

The Vectric does look impressive. Thanks for the link.

[Chris Corwin]

I used to use artcam but I have switched to vectric aspire. I teach middle schoolers how to use aspire to make simple CNC v-carved signs but I use the 2.5d tools to model and compose beautiful signage and furniture. The latest release of aspire has eclipsed all the features I used in artcam and I'm glad to put that pig to rest.

The best feature of aspire is the cohesive interface with all their tools. Artcam seemed like a jumble of mishmashed scripts with a Internet explorer front end. Often the scripts would crash and bring down the whole program without saving your project.

One of my biggest complaints on artcam was the round about method you would have to use to move reliefs. Aspire nailed it. You can make multiple relief "objects" on each layer and move them easily by clicking and moving with the mouse. You can't do that in artcam.


Last time I looked artcam express was a super stripped down version that required a lot of expensive modules to gain functionality that just about everybody would use. $2000 seems lie a lot for aspire until you add up all the modules you would need to purchase to for artcam express. Last version of artcam I used needed a dongle..... I will say no more.

[Daniel Eberwein]

The Vectric does look impressive. Thanks for the link.

I have Vectric Aspire and love it too. Not cheap, I lucked out and got it bundled with CNC I bought, but it is a very good program. They have a couple of different levels of software depending on what you need it to do.

[David Watson2]

I used to use artcam but I have switched to vectric aspire. I teach middle schoolers how to use aspire to make simple CNC v-carved signs but I use the 2.5d tools to model and compose beautiful signage and furniture. The latest release of aspire has eclipsed all the features I used in artcam and I'm glad to put that pig to rest.

The best feature of aspire is the cohesive interface with all their tools. Artcam seemed like a jumble of mishmashed scripts with a Internet explorer front end. Often the scripts would crash and bring down the whole program without saving your project.

One of my biggest complaints on artcam was the round about method you would have to use to move reliefs. Aspire nailed it. You can make multiple relief "objects" on each layer and move them easily by clicking and moving with the mouse. You can't do that in artcam.


Last time I looked artcam express was a super stripped down version that required a lot of expensive modules to gain functionality that just about everybody would use. $2000 seems lie a lot for aspire until you add up all the modules you would need to purchase to for artcam express. Last version of artcam I used needed a dongle..... I will say no more.

I have not committed to either yet. The one feature that attracted me to Artcam was the output for a Laser. The output allows compensation for beam size. I wanted this to help with some accurate laser work such as circuit boards. Is there such a feature in Vectric ?

[Jerome Stanek]

If you are talking offset to the cut line then yes

[Dan Hintz]

I have not committed to either yet. The one feature that attracted me to Artcam was the output for a Laser. The output allows compensation for beam size. I wanted this to help with some accurate laser work such as circuit boards. Is there such a feature in Vectric ?

You're not planning on trying to cut the copper of fiberglass with a CO2 laser, are you? If so, you're in for a world of disappointment.

[David Watson2]

You're not planning on trying to cut the copper of fiberglass with a CO2 laser, are you? If so, you're in for a world of disappointment.

No. I would like to see the burn the paint away and etch work out. Have not found the right paint that will completely burn away yet. And then there is the software issue that does not compensate for the beam thickness.

[Chris Corwin]

Wouldn't beam thickness be just a simple offset vector? If so, aspire does that.