Which is the easiest software to..

[coinhunter]

I´m a beginner in the world of CNC, I know a little about CNC programs but I want to learn, so I’m looking for opinions about an easy program for starting. As a matter of fact, I need to know the two necessary programs to develop a simple project, that is, the software to design the piece and the software to generate the G code. To begin I want to cut some pieces from wood, plastic and aluminum using three axis, I thank your help.

[javeria]

Solidworks and solid cam for mechanical parts

Vectric aspire or Artcam for art and signages

start with youtube videos!

and welcome to the world of CNC'ing!

[sailfl]

coinhunter,

Irfan has good suggestions....

But what you need is a CAD program to do your drawing - you pick the brand or what you decided on.

CAM program to convert the vectors into G Code that Mach will use to convert to the stuff you want to cut out.

I use Aspire. I like it because it is good and cheaper than some.

[Kobus_Joubert]

I waited 2.5 years for Aspire. Will never change to another CAM program I think.

[liaoh75]

I'll second Kobus on the Aspire package. Expensive if it is just a hobby, but well worth the money if you can afford it. Good luck!

[KenC]

It all depends on your requirements & the eventual use of your machine.
I you are cutting just simple straight line & radius combo, which will only constitute a few G-codes the you don't even need a CAM software, just write your own G-code but if complex figures of a few 10k lines then let the CAM do the work which I did.
In the software department, nothing is really "easy"...
You will still have to horn your drafting skill on a CAD of your choice for fast editing & get familiar with the CAM features for the best results.
On top of that, you will have to have some idea of the machining process... which require more actual cutting & experimentation... is really more art than science.
I use Vcarve pro... not that I dislike Aspire, I just couldn't afford it...
I heard many good review for the Artcam but I'd not tried them (why try when I know I can't afford them??? ;) )

[smreish]

Gosh,
for years I just sent my closed polyline drawings from Corel or Auto Cad to LAZY CAM, then to Mach 3.....it didn't get much simpler.

I do LOVE Cut2D for the simple 2d stuff. Cheap, quick, reliable.

Sean

[Greg J]

If your tight on funding, check out Vcarve Pro. It has allot of nice CAD features and generates G code. Great 2.5D carving.

I didn't have any CNC experience before MM, but was cutting 1 hour after purchasing Vcarve Pro. The support is great also.

[coinhunter]

Friends, thanks for your answers!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bob Reda]

The thing about v carve pro from vectric is that if you will be mostly doing 2 d work, it is wonderful. If you are going to occasionally do some 3 d work, vectric has a free 3d program for use with THEIR models. So if you buy a model from them you can use the program. Then you can import the toolpaths from the 3d program into v carve pro that will do the translation and cut. I just wanted to add that their 3d machinist program is only for their models.

Bob

[alan254]

Vetrics, Vcarve Pro. You can learn the basics in a couple of days and do real well in a week. The graduate up to Aspire .

Al

[smreish]

Vectric products are far the simplest I have used.

If you just need simple 2d cutting the CUT2D is cheap, easy to use and quick to learn.

[Mojo]

I just been working with Artcam for the last month or so i have yet to cut any of the files i have made but for 160.00 give or take a few bucks it has been very easy to learn and play with so far. So question i have is are the files generated from Artcam and Vlectric mutually exclusive to each other? at least till they converted to gcode i am assuming?

[Red_boards]

Artcam or Rhino for 3D CAD?

[danilom]

Artcam or Aspire for artistic 3d like carvings, Rhino for everything else about 3d :)

[Red_boards]

Thanks, Danilo
That one line makes a lot of sense and is a great help

[2e0poz]

I don't have my MM yet but do have a cnc router and mill. I run Linux so use CAMBAM which runs on Windows too, LibreCad and Draftsight which are free.

[Mojo]

I think the biggest thing is find the easiest program for you to work with, most if not all i have seen, have demo's take them for a spin doesn't take long to get a feel for a program with one tutorial i have found. No MM finished here yet either but i am diligently learning the software side hopefully post some examples soon.

[pblackburn]

Cam programs...
For wood I would definitely say Aspire, very user intuitive. May not be as handy with shortcuts but it is a very powerful program and the support is awesome. The training videos provided are worth the price of the software. I have never seen so much training videos provided for any piece of software. I do not own a business and only do this as a hobby so it was hard to swallow but I am glad I made the purchase.
Cad programs...
I am only familiar with Autocad from where I work and I love it.

[normand blais]

Rhino is a nurbs software and artcam and aspire are mesh software. That I think is the main difference .
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=638&q=nurbs+versus+mesh&oq=nurbs+versus+mesh&gs_l=img.12...3826.14968.0.17605.17.7.0.10.10.0.82 .532.7.7.0...0.0...1ac.1.7.img.e0KHb7fxdCI

Nurbs are kind of like vector in 3D and mesh are like bitmap. kind of


Also from what I have heard ,I never try them Artcam and Aspire are not 3D ,but more like 2.5D relief that has to be wrap around .They are cad cam wich is very handy since you do not have to switch betwin software


Look at the software galery to help you decide depending what you want to do.

Sometime friendly mean not that many commands, wich is why it is fast to learn .
On the other hand what is the point of $$ software with thousand command if it is not been use because it is to complicate