Cutting Software (questions)

579 Views 19 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Mk II Colorado, 11 d ago

John Smith_

Discussion Starter · 17 d ago

Just for funzees, I was looking at the "Desktop CNC Engravers" . . . . what's with the software that you have to subscribe to ??? Fusion 360 and Carveco, to me, just puts the machine out of my alloted monthly allowance for "hobby stuff". When I got my sign programs, it was a one time purchase. Not something I had to "subscribe" to or "rent". Is this a normal feature for desktops ?? (the Sainsmart 3020 Pro Max caught my eye).

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difalkner

· #2 · 17 d ago

Yes, many have gone the subscription route. When Carveco came out we bought the full program $$$ and got updates for about 15 months. Now they want the full price again for yearly updates - no thank you. The monthly 'rental' of Carveco is a much better deal because it's always updated. The Vectric line of software is purchase with yearly maintenance if you choose to go that route.

Fusion 360 is still free for hobbyists and does about 95% of what the paid version does. I chose the paid version because I use those few features missing in the free version. I understand FreeCAD is still free and there are others that you can purchase. But for the smaller machines like the Sainsmart the hobby version of F360 should do all you'd need it to.

Reactions: 1

John Smith_

Discussion Starter · #3 · 17 d ago

I was just turning over some rocks to see what I could get the grandchild - a one time purchase, not something that I would have to upgrade and maintain until she grew out of it. My CAD/CAM sign plotter software lasted me over 10 years without an update or subscription. I think I paid about $1800.00 for the initial package. Now, you can get the whole vinyl cutting package, plotter/cutter and software for less than $500. AND - the Sainsmart 3020 Pro Max about the same. I'll look further into the "free" programs.
Thanks

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Oscar36

· #4 · 17 d ago

John,

What do you think you will be doing with it? There are a ton of options from free to get a second mortgage prices. I personally use a combination of free and paid programs.

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John Smith_

Discussion Starter · #5 · 17 d ago

My 17yo grandaughter keeps tossing it up just because she "wants to make some stuff". It's not for me. So it would be a play-thing or part-time "fad" that would probably soon pass.

difalkner

· #6 · 17 d ago

New video that just came out this afternoon -

Reactions: 1

John Smith_

Discussion Starter · #7 · 17 d ago

ouch - that makes my head hurt.
I was lost at . . . . hey ya'll, watch this.
(I'll put some effort into it tomorrow when I can just sit and try to obsorb it. THANKS for the link !!

Reactions: 2

Oscar36

· #8 · 17 d ago

I would definitely recommend looking at free software first to see if she likes it. If she does not have a CAD background I would also recommend art modeling software. It is easier to get into without a math background or brain that thinks in precision. My brain definitely does not think in any precision. If she does like CAD there are a ton of free options though Fusion 360 is not too bad to learn.

Sculptris is a fun digital sculpting software no longer in development but still very functional. Zbrush purchased it a few years ago and the new versions is incorporated into it.

3dCoatPrint is free. It is limited to <40K triangle models but still very capable.

Not for the faint of heart Blender 3d. It can do pretty much anything 3d.

Reactions: 1

Old-Steve

· #9 · 17 d ago

I bought a cheap 3018 cnc router a couple of months ago. Mine came with the router and a laser.
The laser is easier. I can import a jpg file into laserGRBL and make adjustments and get going. Black and white clip art is a lot easier than photographs. I still haven't successfully lasered a photo. But I'm trying. But I can do things like scan my signature then burn it into something. I put it on a paint brush handle lol.
The router part of it was a little more complicated for me. I can still design a jpg image but then I have to convert the jpg file to a svg file that I can import into Easel, a web site. Import the svg, adjust it scale it try all the settings. How deep, how fast, how many passes, etc. There is a paid and a free version of Easel. I thought the same thing. I am not paying 24 bucks a month to run a 300 dollar cnc router!
Tweak my stuff in Easel then download the gcode. Then I import the gcode into Universal Gcode Sender and send it to the cnc.
All for free! (I'm cheap!) lol
I started years ago with 3d printers and Tinkercad so I had a little head start. XYZ coordinates...
I tried Fusion 360 but it was Confusion 360 for me. I didn't like it.
I don't want to take a college class just to be able to use my 300 dollar cnc router.
I just want to engrave some stuff, not start a new career lol
Learning new things is fun but there's a limit.

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Reactions: 1

John Smith_

Discussion Starter · #10 · 17 d ago

Old-Steve said:
I bought a cheap 3018 cnc router a couple of months ago.
Learning new things is fun but there's a limit.

my sentiments exactly.

Oscar36

· #11 · 16 d ago

Young people learn so much quicker than us old fogeys.

I am unfamiliar with the 3018 but saw some Youtube channels that show it can do 2d and 2.5d bas relief carvings. There should be a ton of fun stuff you can do with it.

Reactions: 2

difalkner

· #12 · 16 d ago

Oscar36 said:
Young people learn so much quicker than us old fogeys.

Who you calling old??

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MarkJonesRanger

· #13 · 15 d ago

I highly recommend Vcarve. You can start off with Desktop for 349.99 us it's 25"x25" or less. . It is very logical and pretty easy to use. It makes sense and in no time you can make cool stuff. It came with my Shark. I upgraded to Pro unlimited size and gadgets and then upgraded again to Aspire for 3d stuff. Each level of software looks and works like the other versions. They just add a few more goodies at each level of software.

The software is key to easy use and design. You can create 3d printer stuff with it as well. I also put my house plans in it to scale. It's just fun to use and tons of free videos to watch on how to do things on youtube.

Reactions: 1

John Smith_

Discussion Starter · #14 · 14 d ago

with setting up the proper precautions, you can easily cut 1/8" aluminum plate with woodworking tools such as the table saw, band saw, miter saw, etc. Do a lot of research before you try it.

five20

· #15 · 14 d ago

As a hobbyist you can get a version of Fusion 360 for free. The learning curve is steep, but the same is true for any worthwhile CAD/CAM software (I've tried a few). There are lots of instruction videos online. The free version doesn't have all the capability of the paid one, but it has way more than I will ever master. I now do a lot of designing for 3D printing on it and have successfully gone from a downloaded drawing to an engraved coaster-sized board on a home-made Dremel CNC mill using the program.

Reactions: 1

difalkner

· #16 · 14 d ago

five20 said:
The free version doesn't have all the capability of the paid one, but it has way more than I will ever master.

I believe most of the limitations are in the CAM side of the house. The CAD side is still pretty complete. I use the paid version and yes, both versions have way more capabilities than I'll ever use.

ger21

· #17 · 14 d ago

difalkner said:
The Vectric line of software is purchase with yearly maintenance if you choose to go that route.

There are no maintenance charges with Vectric products. But there are new versions every ~2 years that you must pay for if you want that version. But you can use whatever version you buy indefinitely.

John Smith_ said:
Is this a normal feature for desktops

It's been pretty common with ALL software for the last 10 years. Microsoft Office and Adobe products are subscription. All Autodesk products are subscription based.
There are plenty of low cost and free options for someone just starting out. And personally, I would not recommend Fusion 360 to anyone doing woodworking. Way overkill.
And I actually pay for Fusion 360, and program CNC routers for a living (for 25 years now).

Reactions: 3

difalkner

· #18 · 14 d ago

ger21 said:
There are no maintenance charges with Vectric products. But there are new versions every ~2 years that you must pay for if you want that version.

Good point, Gerry. I should have been more specific and clear with the way I worded it.

DROTH

· #19 · 14 d ago

has anyone uses Sketchup for CNC Router and light 3d design?

Mk II Colorado

· #20 · 11 d ago

difalkner said:
Yes, many have gone the subscription route. When Carveco came out we bought the full program $$$ and got updates for about 15 months. Now they want the full price again for yearly updates - no thank you. The monthly 'rental' of Carveco is a much better deal because it's always updated. The Vectric line of software is purchase with yearly maintenance if you choose to go that route.

Fusion 360 is still free for hobbyists and does about 95% of what the paid version does. I chose the paid version because I use those few features missing in the free version. I understand FreeCAD is still free and there are others that you can purchase. But for the smaller machines like the Sainsmart the hobby version of F360 should do all you'd need it to.

Just found this thread about software, and helps in regard to the one I started in introductions.

Reactions: 1

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