Bobcad 23 update

Mc2

Mc2

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Bobcad has just released build 1465 for down load and installation. I noticed one of the things fixed is the machining order on the cam tree. I have not downloaded yet and tried. Here is the link:
http://www.bobcad.net/updates/



Jim.
 
It is just my opinion so take it for what it is worth.

BobCad 20 has all the features you will need to do the simple 2D drawings for cue inlays.
It will also generate the G-code from your cut lines.

Why pay for all the fancy 3D stuff if you never use it?

Willee
 
WilleeCue said:
It is just my opinion so take it for what it is worth.

BobCad 20 has all the features you will need to do the simple 2D drawings for cue inlays.
It will also generate the G-code from your cut lines.

Why pay for all the fancy 3D stuff if you never use it?

Willee
Click to expand...

It may be just fine for our work if you already own it, but I doubt a new user could still buy version 20. A new Bobcad user will also want support, and I don't think that would be an option any more either, since v20 is now 3 revs behind. Many things have changed with the program since version 20, and the pricing probably hasn't changed that much, if you're a good negotiator ;) . Onward and upward as they say.

I was perfectly happy with my 1971 Mach 1 Mustang, but even though they still get you from point A to point B, they keep changing things with cars too.
Mr H
 
Mr Hoppe said:
It may be just fine for our work if you already own it, but I doubt a new user could still buy version 20. A new Bobcad user will also want support, and I don't think that would be an option any more either, since v20 is now 3 revs behind. Many things have changed with the program since version 20, and the pricing probably hasn't changed that much, if you're a good negotiator ;) . Onward and upward as they say.

I was perfectly happy with my 1971 Mach 1 Mustang, but even though they still get you from point A to point B, they keep changing things with cars too.
Mr H
Click to expand...

My point is that the things that have changed are not the things we use to do cue inlays.
Support ??? that is a joke!
They charge a yearly fee for their support and my experience is that it sucks!
An answer to one of my questions was "I am sure you will figure it out" at which point I knew I was on my own.
I bought the version 18 and it crashed a lot.
The CD's that I also bought neglected to teach the basic stuff but went into great detail about 3D and skins and hole patterns and such.

Things might be better now ... I dont know as I dont need their help anymore getting it to do what I want it to do.
Ver 20 works without crashing all the time like ver 18 did.

All learned by trial and error and the help of a few friends.

Willee
 
Upgrades

Willee,

If V20 is working fine for you and you are make precision profiles and pockets, I agree, why update.

Mr. H and I were using V17 and we upgraded to V23, got their training and are very happy. I am sure that V20 does a great job for 2D stuff. When you take the training you can't go back 3 versions.

You are correct, most of the stuff cue makers need to do is only a fraction of the program's capability.

Rick Geschrey
 
Upgrades

Willee,

If V20 is working fine for you and you are make precision profiles and pockets, I agree, why update.

Mr. H and I were using V17 and we upgraded to V23, got their training and are very happy. I am sure that V20 does a great job for 2D stuff. When you take the training you can't go back 3 versions.

You are correct, most of the stuff we need to do is only a fraction of the program's capability.

Rick Geschrey
 
Upgrading bobcad

Hey guys, I have had bobcad v20, v22, and v23. I find that creating toolpaths and making changes to them on the fly is easier in V23. I also have the ability to cut around the a axis in v23. Now if I where confortable with an older ver. I wouldn't change. Unless I was going to make up the money on a wrap around inlay. I can run circles around some that I know doing the same work in v20 while I am working in v23. V23 in not perfect but it is getting better. Hence the update.

Jim.
 
I still use Bob Cad 17 and have had many users of the modern versions say for simple 2D inlays that it was the best version. What makes the newer software worth the $$ to upgrade. We tried version 21 and hated it and went right back to 17.
 
Mc2 said:
Hey guys, I have had bobcad v20, v22, and v23. I find that creating toolpaths and making changes to them on the fly is easier in V23. I also have the ability to cut around the a axis in v23. Now if I where confortable with an older ver. I wouldn't change. Unless I was going to make up the money on a wrap around inlay. I can run circles around some that I know doing the same work in v20 while I am working in v23. V23 in not perfect but it is getting better. Hence the update.

Jim.
Click to expand...

Hey Jim,
Does v23 have the grid that can be used like v21 for plotting points quickly? Have they come out with a nesting program for v23 yet? I use v21 and have not upgraded yet but have been considering it. I do allot of 3D work in v21 and also alot of continuous 4th axis. Not sure if v23 would benefit me to upgrade to, any thoughts would be appreciated.
Kenny Murrell
 
cueman said:
I still use Bob Cad 17 and have had many users of the modern versions say for simple 2D inlays that it was the best version. What makes the newer software worth the $$ to upgrade. We tried version 21 and hated it and went right back to 17.
Click to expand...

Chris, I tried out ver 17 also.
Wish I could show you some things on 20.
I can draw a basic diamond and have both the pocket and multi-inlay pieces program on a disk ready to load into the CNC machine in about 10 minutes.

I can't remember ... did 17 draw the tool path lines on command or do you draw them manually?

Willee
 
WilleeCue said:
Chris, I tried out ver 17 also.
Wish I could show you some things on 20.
I can draw a basic diamond and have both the pocket and multi-inlay pieces program on a disk ready to load into the CNC machine in about 10 minutes.

I can't remember ... did 17 draw the tool path lines on command or do you draw them manually?

Willee
Click to expand...

After reading your post about how much faster ver 20 is I had to put it to the test. Using Ver. 17 I just drew a 2 x .5 diamond with 4 pockest and 4 inlays completly nc/camed in 9 minutes..
 
Some of the features of 23 that I like are programmable tool settings.
I can call up a .0312 ebony cutter and it will run at a feed rate than my .0312 shell cutter.(With out me remembering to change it.) How about lead in and lead out lines for cutting parts.(Ever seen dots that seem to have a bit of a flat spot)
My favorite, adjustable feed rates for curves.
The ability to decide if you want to pocket from the outside in or the inside out.
I've had 17,21 and now 23. With each transition I've gone thru a period where I hated the new version, six months later, I couldn't believe I did it the old way. Sure they all work, I just like some of the newer features.
Hey, at least their tech support speak English.
 
Kenny said:
Hey Jim,
Does v23 have the grid that can be used like v21 for plotting points quickly? Have they come out with a nesting program for v23 yet? I use v21 and have not upgraded yet but have been considering it. I do allot of 3D work in v21 and also alot of continuous 4th axis. Not sure if v23 would benefit me to upgrade to, any thoughts would be appreciated.
Kenny Murrell
Click to expand...

Kenny, you can plot points on V23 a couple of ways. Can I assume you mean can you type in quardinates to get points? If yes, you can. If now could you please explain. I have been told by someone else on here that V23 doesn't have bobnest yet. I did confirm this with Bobcad. As far as the 4th axis, I would download a demo of v23 and try it. This feature is not documented very well. Bobcad sent me a pdf on this feature. Check out this link for additonal information.
http://www.bobcadsupport.com/


Jim.
 
Thanks Jim,
Actually, v21 has under file/properties/grid a grid screen that can be utilized that will let you set the dot matrix displayed on the screen. If I am using a .015" bit, I can set the grid for .015 and all the dots will be displayed with that spacing. Then I can just use point sketch and plot points where ever I want with the radius already set by the grid. It is very quick to use, much easier than plotting points by coordinates. Does v23 have this feature or something like it?

Kenny Murrell
 
Kenny said:
Thanks Jim,
Actually, v21 has under file/properties/grid a grid screen that can be utilized that will let you set the dot matrix displayed on the screen. If I am using a .015" bit, I can set the grid for .015 and all the dots will be displayed with that spacing. Then I can just use point sketch and plot points where ever I want with the radius already set by the grid. It is very quick to use, much easier than plotting points by coordinates. Does v23 have this feature or something like it?

Kenny Murrell
Click to expand...


Kenny, I don't think you can set a grid like that on v23. You may be able to but I don't use it anyways. I do however use ark sketch and set the radious to 1/2 diameter of the tool that I am using and move around the drawing to verify where my tool will go on a tool path. Very handy. Ps. don't pass that tip along.

Jim
 
Mc2 said:
Kenny, I don't think you can set a grid like that on v23. You may be able to but I don't use it anyways. I do however use ark sketch and set the radious to 1/2 diameter of the tool that I am using and move around the drawing to verify where my tool will go on a tool path. Very handy. Ps. don't pass that tip along.

Jim
Click to expand...

I won't tell a soul.
 
Kenny said:
Thanks Jim,
Actually, v21 has under file/properties/grid a grid screen that can be utilized that will let you set the dot matrix displayed on the screen. If I am using a .015" bit, I can set the grid for .015 and all the dots will be displayed with that spacing. Then I can just use point sketch and plot points where ever I want with the radius already set by the grid. It is very quick to use, much easier than plotting points by coordinates. Does v23 have this feature or something like it?

Kenny Murrell
Click to expand...

I looked briefly for this feature in v23 and didn't find it. Maybe I'm not understanding correctly, but I don't think there is really any need for that grid view though. You can place a point anywhere on the screen and direct your cutter to it. I don't think it really matters whether that point is positioned perfectly at the intersection of a .015 grid or not.

As far as the "why should I upgrade" questions, I think the original intent of this thread was to inform the current users of v23 that there is a new "build" available for v23. These are minor revision upgrades that typically contain patches, fixes, and minor enhancements to the current version. These build updates are not to be confused with the availability of a new major version of the application.
Mr H
 
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