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3D modeling software wanted.
DaveH:
I think it is worth a look Ade, you may like it , you may not.
It is a bit a steep learning curve but I think whichever one you choose it will be the same.
Just a case of getting use to the 'words' they use and what they mean in terms of the program, there are tutorials that can help and some videos.
:beer:
DaveH
philf:
--- Quote from: John Stevenson on August 25, 2013, 05:27:00 PM ---OK update.
Finished up staying with Alibre which is now called Geomagic after being bought out.
Bought all the training video's but need to train myself on time management and actually get round to learning it. My fault, no one elses.
I did buy Viacad as the demo ran out but when I got into it I wasn't impressed on how it works.
V8 isn't parametric so any changes won't update but biggest cruncher for me was one license, if I want it on the laptop, another full price upgrade.
Certainly not a modern way of working.
--- End quote ---
John,
When I bought my copy of ViaCAD I asked Cadsoft: "One more question - will I be able to load it on my desktop and onto my laptop?" to which they replied: "Yes, but you will need to register again, each authorisation code is specific per computer."
So, I have it on my desktop and laptop. (Maybe even on my Mach3 PC.)
Although far from perfect it was very cheap by CAD standards. I some times find it easier to draw the 2d geometry in Autocad then paste it into ViaCAD to turn it into a 3D model.
Having said all that I've still not got any decent 3D CAM software to go with it and will probably stick with 2.5D because of the amount of time true 3D machining takes.
Cheers.
Phil.
AdeV:
--- Quote from: philf on August 26, 2013, 04:20:43 AM ---
Having said all that I've still not got any decent 3D CAM software to go with it and will probably stick with 2.5D because of the amount of time true 3D machining takes.
--- End quote ---
I can highly recommend CamBam for 3D stuff. So long as your CAD program exports in one of CamBam's supported formats (I had to use STL). There's good support through the forums, the program itself is pretty capable (I just produced a CNC'd BMW sump, which required 8 programs (4 roughing, 4 finishing), and other than a couple of niggles early on - which turned out to be problems with the wetware - CamBam did just great. OK, the finishing programs were 18-hour monsters, and used almost a full tank of slideway oil each; I could probably have saved a bucket full of time by using a flat endmill rather than the ball-nosed one and got a smoother finish to boot, but what I've got is perfect for the task & looks great.
Brass_Machine:
--- Quote from: AdeV on August 26, 2013, 09:46:52 AM ---.... but what I've got is perfect for the task & looks great.
--- End quote ---
so... Lets see em!
David Jupp:
--- Quote from: John Stevenson on August 25, 2013, 05:27:00 PM ---
Finished up staying with Alibre which is now called Geomagic after being bought out...
--- End quote ---
As John mentioned Alibre Design has been 're-branded' as Geomagic Design, and Geomagic Design Elements. To confuse things even further, the 'hobby' product Alibre PE is now Cubify Design - not to be confused with Cubify Invent (which is actually based on the same code, but is very restricted). All these products are based on a common core, with feature availability controlled by licence key.
In terms of sales value Geomagic is a bigger brand than Alibre (hence the name change).
Confused?
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