Help choosing software

[kerry_edwards]

Hello, i wonder if anyone can give me some advice? i have just bought a second hand shopbot and am looking for some software which i can use to design some ornatly carved victorian bardge bords. i have looked at Vertics Aspire and rhino so far both of which seem relativly easy to use. dose anyone have a prefrence between the two or are ther other options i should consider? many thanks in advance, Kerry

[kirkkelsey]

The free Alibre Design Xpress can be used to model the barge boards in 3D. Custom routed relief or carvings on them can be added with Cut3D or Aspire.

It is really great to see your model in full 3D.

[paul_z]

Kerry,

Rhino and Aspire are both excellent programs but quite different.

Rhino is a classical 3D CAD and is an outstanding value at $1,000. There are many add ons to make specific tasks easier. Rhino can also run scripts which can address really tough problems such as I want to have hundreds of leaves but I want them to be different sizes, locations and rotations.

Aspire has some CAD features and a lot of other capabilities which are specifically targeted for ShopBot type machining. Its 3D form creating capability is the easiest I have used (by far) and it is also an outstanding value.

Rhino does not produce toolpath files from the design; Aspire does. In Aspire I can create the toolpaths and view the results of the toolpathing
not just the model itself.

I am doing a very complex speaker design at the moment. I used Rhino to create the model because the beginning of the model is an intersection of a solid rectangle and and elipsoid which is easily done in Rhino. After several other steps in Rhino, I then import the model into Aspire where adding detail is so much easier. Aspire creates the toolpaths and I can see what it will look like when cut.

My recommendation - If you have the resources, buy both. If resources are limited, buy Aspire.

[kerry_edwards]

Thanks for all the advice…
I have downloaded trials of most available software and think I will use the free Alibre Design Xpress and buy the aspire. Maybe when I have a bit more money and if I can justify it I will stretch to buying rhino but for the moment im sure I will have a big learning curve to climb just getting to grips with running the shopbot!
Once again I really appreciate your advice, best wishes kerry

[kirkkelsey]

All software can be a little daunting to get started. If you would like to send me a couple samples of what you want to model, I will take a look at them and offer some advice to make your job easier.

You will probably want to sketch the outline of your pattern, and then Extrude Boss to make a solid for milling. From the Part file, you can then do a drawing and output a DXF file for milling with Aspire.

The free Alibre Xpress with the 10 part count limit should allow you to model quite a few items.

[bud_wilson]

Looking for a jigsaw puzzle pattern. I am not going to cut it all the way thru the material, but just as a background. Would really appreciate your sharing one if you have it in stock. Thanks!

[kerry_edwards]

Many thanks Kirk for the offer, if its OK with you I may take you up on that at a later date, but for now I think I will need a few weeks to get to grips with the basics.
Thanks once again, Kerry

[kirkkelsey]

In addition to the QuickStart tutorial that installs with Alibre, check out the Alibre website for more training videos:

http://www.alibre.com/training/

http://www.alibre.com/training/cd-series.asp

Woodworking basics are not always the same as Mechanical Design basics. Give us a call if you get frustrated and we will send you some sample template files and information. Check out the Keepsake Box video tutorial on our website: http://www.kelseywoodworks.com/proddetail.php?prod=tutkeepsake

We are always glad to help out Alibre users, and get a chance to chat with ShopBotters.