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-MY PROGRAM SEARCH-

Where is the Ultimate CAD-CAM Package for the Hobbyist? Does it Exist? Is it Affordable? My Quest Continues.

I am sure I will catch some slack for this page, others may find it helpful. It's an ever evolving "trying to find my system that is affordable and works with me." I still look. I can say without a doubt my CAD search is over with Rhino3D wining hands down!

First, Some Finer Details:
- Download a demo version of the program and try it out, you may find it's not what you expected.
- You may find my experiences to be completely untrue, false, exaggerated, etc. and this should be a step into your search.
- If your a student check to see if they have a student discount. If they don't list the price assume it's anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000+.
- Page will be updated and comments changed as needed.
- Overall, Don't believe me, try it yourself and make up your own mind.

For another site with opinions and many more CAD/CAM program reviews check out Francois CAD/CAM World.

I think in general you can get away with your favorite CAD program and Mach 3/LazyCam. For 3D work just download a free program.

Please remember this is a very small list....but this list if of programs I personally use or have tired.

Program	Positive Things or Other	Negative things or Other
Rhino3D	Not a CAM program but maybe the last CAD program you will ever buy!. Excellent, can't say enough nice things about this program. Wonderful, beautiful, fast! Student price is a steal. Get it, get it :) Student price is a steal!	Not cheap for the hobbyist, around $800. No CAM function but can get plug-ins. If you can get a "student discount" there is no reason not to buy it! This program is really awesome! Try out the demo and don't forget to get the free rendering program! Thank you!
Mach 3 / LazyCam	By no doubt one of the best and most affordable programs out there. Thank You!!! I use it to run my machines and now with LazyCam I can also get many G-Codes. Awesome program Art! Many online tutorials.	No one, the price for this program and what you get can't be beat.
RhinoMan FREE	Free rendering program for Rhino3D! Awesome! Easy to use.	Nothing, great, free, what else can you say?
DeskCNC	Very nice program, pretty much like Deskam with more features! Can to 2D, 3D, and images! Good price too!	Same as below. Seems like you have to start over each time and can't do more then one thing at one time. A little difficult for me to understand.
DesKAM	Good price $250, small program. Simple and quick. 2D and 3D capable with dxf and stl as file choices. Cutter comp, fast toolpath generation. Pretty good control on 2.5D. Will pocket, couture, etc. Seems like a good general program for the hobbyist.	No NC verifier per se. Basic control over 3D file. Seem like you have to start over each time a mistake is made. Ok on the eyes. A good program for basic machining (probably what most hobbyist do). Quick icon buttons would be a great add on.
AutoEditNC FREE	It's free and its neat! Try it out. It helps in putting together and learning G-code. Also has simulation built in. Thanks!	Heck its free, what more is there to say.
CNC Simulator FREE	Very nice! Here is a free program to check your g-codes! Also many other neat programs available. Thanks!	Its free, what more is there to say.
Flashcut	Pretty neat program for 2D files. Shows your toolpath and g-code. One is able to use the g-code translator for free. Overall seems like a nice windows based program.	Expensive and I think you have to buy all or none. Check it out.
VisualMill	Many options in the program. Very Pleasing on the eyes. Can translate many files, 2.5 and 3D. Can perform rastering as well as 3D contour plus 4 axis rotary. Seems to be a very good program now also available in a basic version for cheaper price.	Not impressed with the NC verifying for the price of the program ($4,000 ish). Demo version 3 crashes my computer sometimes :( However, quite impressed with the program overall.
Cutviewer	Beautiful program. Beautiful simulation, blazing fast! Love it. Love it!	Expensive for the hobbyist for just a NC verifying program, around $450, I think.
Millwizard	Nice, quick and a good price. Quick to learn, simple, and easy on the eyes, good 3D. Good price $250	Only does rastering. Simplicity means you can't change many parameters which can be a problem. Only a "3D" program, no 2D.
Deskproto	Very fast! I bet the full version is very nice too. Easy on the eyes.	Found it tougher to use. I think it only does rastering. Around $1,000 so not exactly cheap for the hobbyist.
Stlwork	Tried it out sometime ago, don't remember. Believe it has waterlines, zone strategies etc., which is very nice..	Do remember not being to impressed or finding it harder to use, try it out yourself. I really don't remember so this is not a fair review.
RAMS	Seems like a good 2.5 and 3D program. Can raster and 3D contour. Quite a few options in the program. (have not tried out the latest download). Do try out this program.	Hear the NC verifying part is nothing to brag about. I think they also changed their toolbar layout which looked very cheap in the one I downloaded a while ago. Program around $1100.
Dolphin	Not a bad price at $395 (2.5D std.). Programs has some neat functions. Not to bad on the eyes. 3D milling and others available for use.	Finding demo difficult to use. Does not seem like a point and click program. Examples are difficult to follow. Not overly impressed with the friendliness of the demo.
Vector	Great price for CAD and CAM program. Hear service is very good.	Personally found it very illogical and painful to use. Not pleasing on the eyes. Try out the demo, this program seems to be based on a "coordinate" system instead of "point and click."
CNC Wizard	Can raster and 3D contour. Some 2.5 D options. Still in the testing phase. Have a lower priced hobby version. Can get a toolpath from a picture which is VERY neat. Also able to see the toolpath from other .nc files. Website has other excellent programs available.	No true NC verify included but they do offer a free CNC Simulator (can't beat that!!). Program priced around $800 so not exactly cheap for the general hobbyist but again have a hobby version..
Surfcam	Probably the best program I have tried for 2D (free). Amazing.	Expensive.
Profiler	Really neat jpeg or bmp converter to raster. Cheap, $20.	Just tried the demo, just a "cool" program. Pretty fast too!
MeshCAM	It converts dxf, stl and bmp files for 3D use. It's one great program! Check it out!	Does not do 2.5D as I hoped.
Image2Gcode	Looks great!
VCarve Cut 3D	Awesome program! Easy to use, great tool path generator. Nice screen layout...I really like this program.	A little pricey at $600 bucks for a 2D program but really it is a great program.