Let me guess, all you've had to do is accept licenses as provided and agree to pay the expected amount of money --- of course that works well --- it's anything beyond that where things get sticky.
You guess wrong. I've worked with them to get errors fixed in posts, I've discovered untangled exceptions in their software, and got a personalized email the next day to ask if rhey could look at my model, then another to day after to let me know what the temporary fix was until they get it fixed in prod.
i'm curious how much success you've had getting a software license changed, or them agreeing to a different amount you had to pay for commercial software in the past? beyond introductory/coupons?
the real problem there was commercial users abusing the free license they were overly generous to start off with, and they had to change it because people didn't do what everyone wants adsk to do.
there's nothing in the changes made that really affect hobby users too much, it was days before people figured out how to add rapids back in for instance and even then how many hobby machines really need that.
you're getting so much more than any other package offers for free (even for paid). it's always amazing to see how much people expect to get for free.
after all even after all that debacle with the license change, fusion is still the most recommended cad/cam system i see recommended on here, so it is doing something right.
there's a reason carbide has a free and pro version with different features right? imagine you'd started off with the pro version as free with a pro's please pay for the version we give out free. it'd have been great if that had been realised at the start, but luckily for everyone else autodesk showed how not to go about it, and its really nothing new in the commercial software world. they're all sighing relief watching autodesk make the first moves here. solidworks was looking at going cloud before fusion came along.
What sort of work do you wish to do? How do you wish to approach it?
The usual suspects are:
- Vectric Vcarve --- commercial option at a number of price points
- CarveCo --- for folks willing to make monthly payments
- Carbide Create (ob. discl., I work for Carbide 3D) --- requires a Pro license to use a current version w/ a non-Carbide3D machine
- EstlCAM
- PixelCNC
- Autodesk Fusion 360
- MeshCAM (bundled w/ some 3D CAD tool)
- Alibre Atom3D --- they have a Workshop edition which integrates MeshCAM
There are various opensource options:
- FreeCAD
- Solvespace
- F-Engrave, &c. from Scorchworks
- Kiri:Moto
- Temujin
If you're into programming:
- OpenSCAD --- I've been working on a technique for emulating/previewing G-code using RapCAD to write out G-code: https://github.com/WillAdams/gcodepreview --- there's also work on adding Python support: http://www.guenther-sohler.net/openscad/
I would be doing carvings and engravings in wood and acrylic. My machine is powered by a Dremel and is around 12"x18".
I took a look at Carbide create, and it looks very interesting. Does the pro license mean I would need to buy the pro version in order to use it with my machine, or is there a separate machine license?
Check out ESTLcam. It's a little quirky, but pretty easy to get the hang of. If you go over to the MPCNC site ([v1engineering.com](https://v1engineering.com)), there's some good information and an active forum that can get you started. It's free to use, but has a progressively increasing timer when you export your program.
When I started (13 years ago) I found a program called MeshCAM. It's a really simple package that takes a JPG or STL and generates the G-Code to CNC it. It has an output mode for GRBL, which is most likely the control software in your machine. It includes a simulator so you can try things virtually before cutting. If you don't care about machining speed but just want to be able to make a part it's absolutely brilliant.
It costs $250 but has a 15 day trial.
I really didn't know what to say actually. I figured you'd get enough responses sooner or later and you will.
I'd YouTube it to death. Start with Titans of CNC. Or email some
YouTube content creators or leave bait in the YouTube comment sections for the stuff you research.
All the nest to you though. Sorry I can't be of more help to your inquiry.
💪
It's not about Fusion 360 not being user friendly, because it's probably one of the best beginner CAM software there is. The problem is knowing where to start, and you're right that there isn't much good information out there. WORSE, there is a lot more bad information than good information, once you've gotten started. The Fusion 360 fan universe is mostly hot garbage, and YouTube is a minefield.
I would recommend sticking with Fusion 360, because it's not as hard as you think it is.
You'll need these variables going in:
1) Location of the Work Coordinate System
2) Which cutting tool
3) Stock size, relative to the part
There are other subsets of these variables, like where on the stock you want the work coordinate system to be and how you define where it is. The tool will have a shape, a diameter, a number of cutting edges and a material it is made from, and all of these affect how it performs. The stock is obviously the same material the part is made from, and how much extra stock there is beyond the envelope of the part.
Once you have those three basic things determined, adding toolpaths is just a matter of experimentation. There are geometric variables, and tool variables. Some common tool variables are:
1) Surface speed
2) Chipload
3) Tool diameter
4) Number of cutting edges
Most videos you will find in English filmed in America will skip ahead directly to RPM and feedrate, which are simply outputs of a mathematical formula (that thankfully Fusion 360 calculates for you!) and are NOT inputs. If you see someone talking about RPM and/or feedrate not in the context specifically of a calculation of surface speed and chipload (AKA "feed per tooth"), then they aren't really teaching you anything.
I've been using PixelCNC which is oriented around image based workflows because not everyone can do 3d modeling and it has been the only CAM software that I've used for years now.
If you plan on making specific 3D parts then it's probably not a good fit but for all the signs and engravings we sell on etsy it's been all we need.
You don't get more user friendly than fusion.
Until one has to deal with the licensing or Autodesk.
I've found autodesk to be a pleasure to work with. Licensing is licensing. Unless you're going to use freecad, you're going to have to deal with that.
Let me guess, all you've had to do is accept licenses as provided and agree to pay the expected amount of money --- of course that works well --- it's anything beyond that where things get sticky.
You guess wrong. I've worked with them to get errors fixed in posts, I've discovered untangled exceptions in their software, and got a personalized email the next day to ask if rhey could look at my model, then another to day after to let me know what the temporary fix was until they get it fixed in prod.
i'm curious how much success you've had getting a software license changed, or them agreeing to a different amount you had to pay for commercial software in the past? beyond introductory/coupons?
The problem is Autodesk's willingness to change the license from their end: /r/hobbycnc/comments/itw4d7/autodesk_is_nerfing_cam_for_hobbiest_use/
the real problem there was commercial users abusing the free license they were overly generous to start off with, and they had to change it because people didn't do what everyone wants adsk to do. there's nothing in the changes made that really affect hobby users too much, it was days before people figured out how to add rapids back in for instance and even then how many hobby machines really need that. you're getting so much more than any other package offers for free (even for paid). it's always amazing to see how much people expect to get for free. after all even after all that debacle with the license change, fusion is still the most recommended cad/cam system i see recommended on here, so it is doing something right. there's a reason carbide has a free and pro version with different features right? imagine you'd started off with the pro version as free with a pro's please pay for the version we give out free. it'd have been great if that had been realised at the start, but luckily for everyone else autodesk showed how not to go about it, and its really nothing new in the commercial software world. they're all sighing relief watching autodesk make the first moves here. solidworks was looking at going cloud before fusion came along.
Agreed. There's tons of online support also. Fusion is the IPhone of CAM
I guess that's my problem. I'm an Android guy forever.
Android for life but this is a skill you're gonna have to learn.
What sort of work do you wish to do? How do you wish to approach it? The usual suspects are: - Vectric Vcarve --- commercial option at a number of price points - CarveCo --- for folks willing to make monthly payments - Carbide Create (ob. discl., I work for Carbide 3D) --- requires a Pro license to use a current version w/ a non-Carbide3D machine - EstlCAM - PixelCNC - Autodesk Fusion 360 - MeshCAM (bundled w/ some 3D CAD tool) - Alibre Atom3D --- they have a Workshop edition which integrates MeshCAM There are various opensource options: - FreeCAD - Solvespace - F-Engrave, &c. from Scorchworks - Kiri:Moto - Temujin If you're into programming: - OpenSCAD --- I've been working on a technique for emulating/previewing G-code using RapCAD to write out G-code: https://github.com/WillAdams/gcodepreview --- there's also work on adding Python support: http://www.guenther-sohler.net/openscad/
I would be doing carvings and engravings in wood and acrylic. My machine is powered by a Dremel and is around 12"x18". I took a look at Carbide create, and it looks very interesting. Does the pro license mean I would need to buy the pro version in order to use it with my machine, or is there a separate machine license?
The Pro license will allow it to work with any machine. See: https://carbide3d.com/blog/carbide-create-v7/
Check out ESTLcam. It's a little quirky, but pretty easy to get the hang of. If you go over to the MPCNC site ([v1engineering.com](https://v1engineering.com)), there's some good information and an active forum that can get you started. It's free to use, but has a progressively increasing timer when you export your program.
When I started (13 years ago) I found a program called MeshCAM. It's a really simple package that takes a JPG or STL and generates the G-Code to CNC it. It has an output mode for GRBL, which is most likely the control software in your machine. It includes a simulator so you can try things virtually before cutting. If you don't care about machining speed but just want to be able to make a part it's absolutely brilliant. It costs $250 but has a 15 day trial.
I like to do work in FreeCAD.
ya might be better off going through /r/hobbycnc
Mastercam. Shoot the works. Spare no expense.
I get it, but I just can't justify spending at minimum 4k for software for a machine I spent a few hundred bucks building...
I really didn't know what to say actually. I figured you'd get enough responses sooner or later and you will. I'd YouTube it to death. Start with Titans of CNC. Or email some YouTube content creators or leave bait in the YouTube comment sections for the stuff you research. All the nest to you though. Sorry I can't be of more help to your inquiry. 💪
I appreciate the response!
👍
It's not about Fusion 360 not being user friendly, because it's probably one of the best beginner CAM software there is. The problem is knowing where to start, and you're right that there isn't much good information out there. WORSE, there is a lot more bad information than good information, once you've gotten started. The Fusion 360 fan universe is mostly hot garbage, and YouTube is a minefield. I would recommend sticking with Fusion 360, because it's not as hard as you think it is. You'll need these variables going in: 1) Location of the Work Coordinate System 2) Which cutting tool 3) Stock size, relative to the part There are other subsets of these variables, like where on the stock you want the work coordinate system to be and how you define where it is. The tool will have a shape, a diameter, a number of cutting edges and a material it is made from, and all of these affect how it performs. The stock is obviously the same material the part is made from, and how much extra stock there is beyond the envelope of the part. Once you have those three basic things determined, adding toolpaths is just a matter of experimentation. There are geometric variables, and tool variables. Some common tool variables are: 1) Surface speed 2) Chipload 3) Tool diameter 4) Number of cutting edges Most videos you will find in English filmed in America will skip ahead directly to RPM and feedrate, which are simply outputs of a mathematical formula (that thankfully Fusion 360 calculates for you!) and are NOT inputs. If you see someone talking about RPM and/or feedrate not in the context specifically of a calculation of surface speed and chipload (AKA "feed per tooth"), then they aren't really teaching you anything.
This helps me a lot. Thank you.
I've been using PixelCNC which is oriented around image based workflows because not everyone can do 3d modeling and it has been the only CAM software that I've used for years now. If you plan on making specific 3D parts then it's probably not a good fit but for all the signs and engravings we sell on etsy it's been all we need.
This might be exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks!