CamBam Alternative

[Chip Owner]

The only package I found, judging by the scan videos online, that works how I use qCAD and CB is PunchCad but I repeatedly asked for a trial, without having to pay first as they claim to offer but never heard anything from them.  The reason I opted for CB in the first place was it fitted with my thinking and familiarity with 2d CAD.

I've tried Fusion and never liked it, to me it's not a lot better than freecad. I only ever used to view 3d models of complex parts. For 3d models of my own parts, I load the DXF's into 'emachineshop', tell it which lines are bends, direction and angle.

[Bob La Londe]

The only package I found, judging by the scan videos online, that works how I use qCAD and CB is PunchCad but I repeatedly asked for a trial, without having to pay first as they claim to offer but never heard anything from them.  The reason I opted for CB in the first place was it fitted with my thinking and familiarity with 2d CAD.

I've tried Fusion and never liked it, to me it's not a lot better than freecad. I only ever used to view 3d models of complex parts. For 3d models of my own parts, I load the DXF's into 'emachineshop', tell it which lines are bends, direction and angle.

Punch is the company that owns ViaCAD.  I seem to remember it has only a 7 day trial period.  You just download it and use it.  On the 8th day days it is lobotomized.  I suggest you only download and install it when you can dedicate those days to learning it.  I found following along and duplicating Tim Olsen's (original author) videos did more for teaching me how to use it than anything. 

ViaCAD has zero, none, zilch, nada, nyet CAM capability. 

I found Fusion360 to be more awkward to use than CamBam, but I liked many of the machining strategies.  It's generates much more efficient code.  I can sometimes get close with camBam, but I have to screw with it and use work-a-rounds.  I didn't care for the CAD functions, but if I did more mechanical parts and less organic 3D it might be fine.  There is of course a benefit to having full CAD and CAM in one program.  I just have a fundamental objection to renting software. 

[dh42]

Hello

I have had a try with VIACAD 10 some years ago and I liked .. except for the very short trial period (10 days ?) ... after the trial period, all functions are still working ...  but no way to save something !!

some video here
http://www.atelier-des-fougeres.fr/Cambam/Aide/ViaCAD_video/video.htm#menu

Of course, it is not SolidWorks ! but not the same price too, VIACAD is very affordable.

I just have a fundamental objection to renting software. 

Yes, me too ... and especially with a very slow connection .. and then with this principle, they hold you by the balls, they can do what they want with the prices, if you don't pay, you lose all your project files!

++
David

[Chip Owner]

The only package I found, judging by the scan videos online, that works how I use qCAD and CB is PunchCad but I repeatedly asked for a trial, without having to pay first as they claim to offer but never heard anything from them.  The reason I opted for CB in the first place was it fitted with my thinking and familiarity with 2d CAD.

I've tried Fusion and never liked it, to me it's not a lot better than freecad. I only ever used to view 3d models of complex parts. For 3d models of my own parts, I load the DXF's into 'emachineshop', tell it which lines are bends, direction and angle.

Punch is the company that owns ViaCAD.  I seem to remember it has only a 7 day trial period.  You just download it and use it.  On the 8th day days it is lobotomized.  I suggest you only download and install it when you can dedicate those days to learning it.  I found following along and duplicating Tim Olsen's (original author) videos did more for teaching me how to use it than anything. 

ViaCAD has zero, none, zilch, nada, nyet CAM capability. 

I found Fusion360 to be more awkward to use than CamBam, but I liked many of the machining strategies.  It's generates much more efficient code.  I can sometimes get close with camBam, but I have to screw with it and use work-a-rounds.  I didn't care for the CAD functions, but if I did more mechanical parts and less organic 3D it might be fine.  There is of course a benefit to having full CAD and CAM in one program.  I just have a fundamental objection to renting software.

I don't know if it's location specific but here in the UK I could only get a 30day trial if I bought it, i.e. if after the 30 days I didn't like it, I could cancel. 

[Chip Owner]

Hello

I have had a try with VIACAD 10 some years ago and I liked .. except for the very short trial period (10 days ?) ... after the trial period, all functions are still working ...  but no way to save something !!

some video here
http://www.atelier-des-fougeres.fr/Cambam/Aide/ViaCAD_video/video.htm#menu

Of course, it is not SolidWorks ! but not the same price too, VIACAD is very affordable.

I just have a fundamental objection to renting software. 

Yes, me too ... and especially with a very slow connection .. and then with this principle, they hold you by the balls, they can do what they want with the prices, if you don't pay, you lose all your project files!

++
David

That's amusing, I have that frustration at the moment with Ezcad on the laser, as long as I have the laser plugged in and turned on, ezcad will save files, should I wish to take the laptop home and design in the evening, it's no longer supported.