How about adding new features to Part Wizard 2?! Would you like?!

[paco]

A week ago I had this idea that it would be great if I could get some kind of a "Add-on" to Part Wizard that could enhance my possibility to V-carve any fonts and any 2D closed designs... so I look at current software available and found some that I could'nt get to work up to my standards...

I really enjoy Part Wizard 2! I found it to be very effective to what are my needs and figure that many other users must think so too. The drawing tools are just up to what I need... the current toolpath strategies are good too and can be easely enhance with some thought and imagination... PW2 is a REALLY good entry CAD/CAM software as coming with the purchase of your BOT!

The thing is that some of my customer are begging me to V-carve their letterage and design/logo for their signs... quickly and effectively answering their need would cost me more than I need; sure Insignia would respond to this need to V-carve but I would need to spend $$$ for some features that I don't think I really need.

So it could be great if a "V-carving/bevel carving enhancement Add-on to Part Wizard 2" were available... probably that other PW2 users could wish for "Drawing tool and exporting enhancement Add-on to PW2"...
why not a "3D Simulator and toolpath operations enhancement to PW2"... and so on...
So one could choose the Add-on that would meet is requirements...

Many other threads in this forum show this kind of need to enhance PW2... just look at PW topics!

As for me I'd be willing to pay fair price for this kind of "Add-ons"... what about you?!

I already suggest this to a ShopBot staff member, who share my view, and told me that he has foward my suggestions to people concerned with PW2. Than I replyed that I shall start this thread to see if I could get some feedback regarding this idea...

Now, if this idea sound to you as INTERESTING than join the thread to show yourself and maybe suggest something that could get further the "project"...

[pierrewessels@hotmail.com]

Here is my two cents... feel free to point out any flaws in my comments,

I know from conversations I have had with shopbot staff that there is a definate compromise on what features can be offered in the Partwizard package - especially at the pricepoint that it is offered at. The reason being is ArtCam would like you to move up to their more intricate and expensive (or should I say more likely to cover development costs and add a profit) software packages. As a recent purchaser of the PartWizard2 upgrade I am very happy with the added features vs. the upgrade fee. In reality I probably would have paid slightly more now that I am seeing the benefits added.

I agree with Paco that an interesting possibility would be a purely modular upgrade path. I believe that Artcam may see a sizable growth in annual revenue from the Shopbot community by allowing users to add just the functionality that they are interested in. I believe that most Partwizrd users would be willing to pay more per feature for just what they want or need - Even if some of the "more juicy" functions were a little more costly than the options that would be in less demand.

Something that I feel is a very key issue that most higher end software developers are missing the boat (revenue) on:

Many, if not all users would like a package like Insignia but are truly not able to afford/justify it now - or ever. These potential "modular upgrade" customers will currently never contribute additional revenue to developers like Artcam.

I am pretty sure that many people would, for example, like to add the ability to V-carve all fonts. I personally would see this as a feature I would pay extra for....how much? for me I would seriously consider it if it was offered at $250.

Another "juicy" function would be "save as'. Again I am sure I am not alone in seeing this as a valuable option that I would pay more for access to.

If other users share similar sentiments, it may send a message to Shopbot and more importantly Artcam that there is an untapped revenue stream waiting for them. People willing to contribute cash for software components already written and tested.

Pierre Wessels
Vancouver BC Canada

[Dan B. (Unregistered Guest)]

Great idea Paco. For those of us that don't have $$$ to spare we could upgrade in stages. I like PW2 and have no complaints with it. I need more than PW2 has but the next step up cost $3000.00 for Insignia and that program looks like it has more than I would ever use.

[fleinbach]

I don't believe this will happen. The most they could probably do is add 2 more price levels or maybe 3. Consider that Parts wizard at $500.00 is the entry level and from there you go to Insignia at $3,000.00. What do you get for an additional $2,500.00? You get more editing tools, a few more options when creating tool paths and a 3D engine to check tool paths. They certainly are not going to add one editing tool at a time to satisfy a minority of customers. More then likely that one thing you need at the moment won't satisfy you 2 months down the road when you realize "Wow, I wish I had that feature." The customer support would be a nightmare.

Now possibly as I mentioned they could make 3 more price breaks but how would you split the cost. Well let's see $2,500.00 split 3 ways would be about $833.00 so I guess you could have your choice of the 3 remaining upgrades. 1. Add the rest of the editing tools. 2. Add the greater tool path flexibility. Or 3. Be able to see how your tool path will actually cut with the 3D engine.

Which $833.00 opotion appeals to you today?

[paco]

Hey Dan!
What would you add to your current PW2? What would you need more from it?

Pierre...
I figure that you mean that you don't really need V-carving... right? What would you need to add to your PW2?

I've been testing some softwares for V-carving ability and V-carve toolpath like Delacm do is worth spending... but I only need some more toolpathing enhancements to my PW2 and this should allow me to start my buisness... well more $afely!!
Later I should be able to spend more on a complete and powerfull package when I will have plenty of customers to work with!...
Another reason I wish for thoses "Add-ons" to PW2 is because I would like to work on "main" software that would respond to my "main" needs... and since I really like PW2... "Add-ons" would be the answer!

I think it could be interesting for Delcam/ShopBot buisness too... what do you think?

[paco]

Frank,
be more optimistic; ShopBot as suprised me more than once... just think of their new tool that is speeding up to a "fall of the cliff"...
Do you use PW2? Do you like it? Would you wish to enhance it to your own needs at a fair price? Your suggestions are quite interesting...

Today I would only need PW2 to V-carve/Bevel carve. That would respond to what I need now and for a period... I don't really need all the "bells & whisles" of Insignia... which is a great software anyway.

[Dan B. (Unregistered Guest)]

Paco I need what you need V carving. I'm just wishing out loud here.
Dan

[jsfrost]

Rather than selling addons, how about selling a lower cost full featured version with limited prepaid time, and an on line system for buying more hours. One could then have all features instantly available for a few projects, and upgrade to a fully owned version later, when demand justified the expense.
I will eventually buy full featured SW, but not until my SB is making enough to justify more expense. Baring a layoff from my day job, this will be several years from now. I would like to see for myself what insignia (and several others) can do, and with my limited playtime time, a 30 day trial is worthless.

[kivimagi]

Not that I think it will end up mattering, but its an interesting thread. So a couple of my "wish list" items are:

1.) To be able to add tabs exactly where I want them.

2.) Nesting routine.


Regards,

[paco]

Any comments and opinions to this thread may lead to get future "botters" new possibility... this may not be short term available but I think if it was available now, many would enjoy being able to "add", and choose, new functions to the GOOD Part Wizard at fair price... keep joining and sharing your views!

Paco 8-)

[phil_o]

I'd like to include pasting a bitmap image to the wish list of features I'd like to see added to PW. This would enable tracing a bitmap image to create a vector drawing for CNC routing.

[stickman]

Part Wizard Feature.

I would really like to see a toolbox file management program. Something that will allow me to copy tooling profiles from one computer to the next. That way all machines would have the correct tooling, to what I have found works the best for me. I haven't found a good way to go from my design computer, to the machine controller or my laptop, with these files.

Just a thought. (I do need to upgrade to the newest version of Part Wizard. Anyone heard if a newer version is on the way)

[Brady Watson]

Jay,
If you are referring to the cutting tools in the tool database...you can do this now. Just copy and paste the tool_database.tdb in the Exec folder from one computer to the other....Viola ~ You now have identical tools between computers.

-Brady