Best general purpose design software?

[archis]

Hi,

We're considering purchasing a Buddy and my better half is wondering which software she should learn?

I know there's lots of good software for specific applications such as signs, etc. but our main interest is in producing flat-pack furniture, furniture and various other utilitarian objects.

What software does everybody like for general purpose design?

Thanks

[ed_lang]

It comes with your machine..... PartWorks.

I also use Corel Draw and Aspire.

[ken_rychlik]

What ed says.

You can go on the vectric.com site and download a free version of Vcarve pro. It is the same program. You can desing parts and all the drawing tools work, but you can't send toolpaths to the machine with the demo version.

It would be perfect for design practice.

Kenneth

[archis]

Thanks, I'll get her looking at VCarve Pro.

Ed,

Could you explain at a high level the process of transforming Corel Draw into something the Shopbot can use?

Thanks

[bob_s]

Jim;
It's pretty easy,
define a shape with vectors in Corel draw
tell V carve what your material size is H,W, thickness
import those vectors into V Carve
position the shapes
tell the software you want to carve away to X depth inside those vectors, with what cutting tool& at what speed
Or tell the software you want to carve the area between vector A and the circle, for example, surrounding vector A to x Depth
If you have set up your furniture parts, for example, in Corel it takes just a few minutes to import it, set what cutting tools you want to use, create toolpaths, and have Vcarve produce a visual confirmation of what you will cut.
For sure it will be a bit confusing at first, if you post your questions here with as much data as you can, you will usually have an answer almost instantly. The software, with it's post processor takes care of telling the machine how to cut what you have drawn. I was new to this last spring, and now it is just another tool, it is pretty easy to get going. Also: Tech support at Shopbot is unlike tech support anywhere, they really set the standard for doing support right!
Bob

[archis]

Thanks Bob I think I now get it it. VCarve can work with Vector files, that's the bridge between it and other software products.

The group support with ShopBot is a big part of the reason we are going to get this brand of Bot. Everybody has really been helpful with all of my questions.

[bob_s]

Jim;
If you can take a look at Aspire, it has Vcarve built into it, and you can do some really amazing 2 1/2 d work very easily. The concept is the same, but you can have smooth curves and sweeping shapes, so "3d pictures" become part of the design. That is not something you see often on flat pack furniture. It isn't inexpensive, but the capabilities it adds are truly amazing. For a 3d type program the learning curve is not bad at all. Obviously you could add it later, but if you are trying to figure out what you might eventually want, it is worth a look in the beginning. Vectric tech is also great , as is their forum. They wrote the interface for the shopbot, so all of their software "plays nicely" with shopbot.
Bob

[archis]

Funny you should mention that! My wife started to look at vCarve and felt she would still need something more 2.5 to 3D. Just a hunch on her part since we're both still trying to figure this out.

What if any advanges would a full blow CAD program such as AutoCad have over VCarve and Aspire?

[dlcw]

Jim,

First off - welcome to the circus we call CNC. :-)

For furniture design I've used TuboCAD for many, many years. They have an add-on module called Furniture Maker that is pretty good for designing furniture and cabinetry. They have also added the capability to output CAM files to TurboCad. I haven't looked closely at this feature however.

For most cabinet design I use eCabs and ShopBot link for output to Wall-E (my ShopBot).

For smaller projects and 2.5D and 3D work I was using Partworks (comes with the 'Bot) and recently upgraded to Aspire. Will it do the type of modeling that a full blown CAD program like TurboCAD or AutoCAD will do, no. But like Bob says, you can do some pretty amazing things with it and a lot of people have!

Start playing with Partworks and Partworks 3D do play with some models. Hundreds of models are available from VectorArt3D plus other companies. The models are not expensive and can get you going with the software.

Don
www.dlwoodworks.com (http://www.dlwoodworks.com)

[robredick]

My 2 cents

Prior to a few weeks ago I thought that big software was better. Then, I bought Aspire. Frankly, I feel that there is no reason to buy the others for anything that you would do on a Bot. We have EngraveLab for our Laser and older versions of ArtCam & MasterCam. Since Aspire was cheaper to buy than to upgrade the others, I gave it a shot. Boy, do I wish that I had this 5 or 6 years ago. It is just plain simple. It is my understanding that Partworks is a "light" version of Aspire. If so you will be 100% fine to create within this software.

Sktechup is a great tool for overall design. You have to have the PRO version to export DXF and you will have to clean up some data in flattened models. However, Sketchup is prob the easiest 3d app out there. There is a podcast from "The Sketchup Show" that will teach you everything that you need to know and a many thing that you never would have thought of.

If you have a graphics background, Illustrator with a DXF plugin will get you there too.

[archis]

Thanks for the welcome!

Rob, Do you cleanup the sketchup models Aspire or Partsworks?

[paul_z]

Jim,

If a part is complicated, I use Rhino (3D CAD). Then I import to Vectic software and toolpath the design. Vectric's previews are excellent and have saved me from dozens of simple (and stupid errors). Aspire's 3D design is by far the easiest I have ever used. Check out their web site, especially the areas showing projects done with Aspire.

Paul Z

[curtiss]

You might spend some time in a "cad lab" at a tech school and look at AutoCad and AutoCad LT which is the 2d version.

I doubt one would need the full 3d AutoCad right off the blocks. Vectric seems to be more of a toolpathing software,

and a bit difficult to draw something complex with... but then I started with AutoCad in about 1999...

The full version will let you import photos, such as a lake and trace features with the photo in the background.

You save the AutoCad drawing to a dxf format and then import that into Vectric for the toolpaths.

Not sure if anyone has ever "had a race" between Partworks and AutoCad with something very complex, but it would be interesting.