Hello again!! What a huge response! I never expected so much feed back in such a short time. What a team feeling on this NG.
To simplify and shorten my response to all of you, I decided to do it this way. Since I was not very specific explaining our need to change, even though SmartCam has performed very well within the environment it was designed for (It works as well on Professional XP Operating System), but markets are very competitive, and efficiencies of tools have to improve in order to remain alive We are not designers, we manufacture from cad files sent to us from hundreds of customers and as many number of different applications (some use expensive software to sketch, not even in proportion); therefore the CAD/CAM software applications we are looking for, have to integrate well within themselves and an estimating one (Already evaluated), for which 3D models are required (when 2D is provided, 3D will be created)in order to achieve accurate quotes, and following this, generate the CNC code in an efficient manner. The software applications have been narrowed down to a few that are the closest to our criteria, SolidWorks, EdgeCam, MasterCam, SurfCam, are some of the ones from which we have to decide; that is why I asked you for an opinion on three of the above mentioned ones. >Darrell Boyle said: > You obviously do 3d stuff, don't you think SC is a bit behind the times? Yes, it will be for our future needs >John Coulston said: >SmartCam is broke when it comes to solids. Yes I agree with you, that is why the need to change >Michael Senack wrote: >Sooner or later it will not run on the latest operating system. Surprise..., still running on XP Professional >Glawe, Chuck wrote: >Our mold designs use Solidworks for the insert stacks,.......... >Solidworks uses Parasolids as it's engine and I haven't had a bad model >import using Parasolids or the direct translator yet. This kind of problem free translation, is what we need. >Pete Ruehle said: >Isn't SolidWorks' concentration more toward design than CNC machining? Yes, that is required, able to create 3D models (Design) >Andy Beardmore wrote: >Why fix something when it is not broken. No Andy, it is not broken (tool) yet, we need something better to reach higher. >Blomquist, Jamie wrote: >I sure would consider DP Technology's Esprit software. It has been evaluated, thanks Jamie. >Royal Wahner said: >MasterCAM does have its limitations due to the import issue of true >solids and editing is still an issue. Yeah, you right, that is one point of concern Wahner >EdgeCAM is great for me. It imports the solid in its native format and >machining from the features or creating new ones is a breeze. It is easy to >control individual moves and at the same time allow full solid machining. One of it strengths... >Steve Rebensdorf wrote: >Please include FeatureCAM in your review. It has been reviewed Steve, thanks. >Doug Boyd wrote: >My opinion: >SolidWorks is a great 3D modeling tool. Probably the best out there >that I know of That's why it is still in the group to choose from. Any way, thanks for your input; I hope we choose the best application that will serve the best. Frank A. -----Original Message----- From: Frank A. Sent: Monday, October 14, 2002 6:31 PM To: "SmartCAM Users Group (E-mail)" Subject: Software change Hello Group! I have been a SmartCam user and follower of this Newsgroup since version 9.0; still running V11.5 (Production Milling)............... ..................which I am sure some of you have a great knowledge of. I will appreciate any comments on the pros/cons of such applications. Frank A. ====================================================================== To find out more about this mailing list including how to unsubscribe, send the message "info mfg-smartcam" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ======================================================================
