[dresda]

I don't use mine much, V26 so I thought I would check if there were any updates as mine is 1335 but when I tried to update I couldn't now they tell me I have to buy a service contract for$350. to fix their problems, and it does have problems, am I missing something.
Ray.

[mmoe]

I don't really care for their current "update" policy, but they did get me updated to 1335 without any fuss when I called them on it. I bought early this year and I think they hadn't really set up their service contract specifics quite yet, nor had it been offered or suggested that updates would require it when I purchased, so I think they did what's right and would call it good service.

That said, you are pretty much up to date with V26. There is a newer update version, but when I was given the update after the newest one had already been released, 1335 was the version that seemed to be preferable. I guess the real question is what specific problems are you having? I have been delving pretty deep into all the toolpath strategies in 3 Axis Mill Pro and have not had any stability issues or bugs. I actually feel V26 in the 1335 build is one of the best Bobcad builds yet and I've noticed many other users are also sticking with 1335 (not sure if it's by design or because they also don't have service contracts?). If you're on 1335, you should be getting a pretty solid experience, so something is off if you aren't. If you go down the list of forum topics related to issues with V26, there really haven't been many at all since the first update and 1335 was the second update. Post some of your issues with examples and we can try to help you figure out what's going on, but from my experience with 1335, it's just really solid and I have a hard time wanting to tempt fate with V27 (though I'm sure I'll update eventually when the service contract works in my favor).

[JEST]

Beating a dead horse...

"BobCad Build 1482 Fixes and Enhancements " http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bobcad...ad-bobcad.html
"BobCAD Issues" http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bobcad...are-forum.html
"V26 Build 1335" http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bobcad...ld-1335-a.html
"No more free updates ? ?" tp://www.cnczone.com/forums/bobcad-cam/220850-bobcad.html

[dresda]

I guess I'm ok with the 1335 then. Haven't used it much but I thought 25 seemed more stable, not spending any more money until I start using it more. I just got started and was doing pretty good then I left it for 6 months. I am thinking about using Solidworks and Bobcad for the cam, Solidworks looks so easy to use on the drawing side, don't really need the solids, what do you think.

[mmoe]

I haven't used Solidworks much, but I've never been a fan of it. It may be because I've used CAD for over 25 years, and it's a little too different for my taste. I use a few different things for CAD, some more complicated than others, but when I have someone with minimal 3d CAD experience ask what they should start with, I recommend Viacad 2d/3d or Pro. It can be a tad bit unstable from time to time, but not to the extent of making it unusable and I do a ton of pretty heavy duty stuff with it. Yet it's also one of the easiest 3d systems to hit the ground running with, and is possibly one of the best 2d CAD systems out there due to the way the snapping works.

Add to that fact that you can buy the "Pro" version for between $100 and $200, which has just about all the tools most could need, and it's pretty hard to beat. Unless you plan to spend a significant amount of time each day in CAD, Solidworks is really hard to justify as a good value. The absolute most basic version runs $2500, which means if you only use it for 100 days of the year (probably about the number of days I do CAD work), you're paying $25 per day. If you can stretch it to two years (not sure if there's a maintenance fee), you're still at $12.50 per day, while Viacad Pro would cost $1 per day (or less since there's no maintenance fee). Solidworks makes a lot more sense to me for people who crunch in CAD day in and day out, or deal with companies that run a Solidworks workflow on a regular basis, but otherwise there are a lot of very capable options that run a lot less. Plus, I think you'll always have more help in Bobcad here in the forums if you have the stand alone version. Only a very small percentage seem to use the Solidworks version, and few of them seem to be helping out in the forums much.

[dresda]

Thanks for your input. I have never heard of Viacad but will look into it. I would like to stay with Bobcad as it's the only system I have ever used but just wondering if there was and I know there is a better system out there that would lend itself to somebody like me that doesn't use the program on a regular basis. 99% of my work doesn't require solid model just 2 D work, I guess it just looks cool to look at a solid model. I must admit I did see my friend using Solidworks and it was different and goes against the grain but man was it quick. based on what you pay for Bobcad you can't get everything right.
Ray.

[bobcad guy]

I guess I'm ok with the 1335 then. Haven't used it much but I thought 25 seemed more stable, not spending any more money until I start using it more. I just got started and was doing pretty good then I left it for 6 months. I am thinking about using Solidworks and Bobcad for the cam, Solidworks looks so easy to use on the drawing side, don't really need the solids, what do you think.

Hi dresda, I know bobcad, solidworks, camworks, and I'm learning mastercam x8. If you don't need solid models, I would think solidworks would be a bad fit. Its a truley awesome modeling program, but I don't like it as a 2d drawing program. If you have the cash to go with a higher end cad package, I would go mastercam, no doubt. The drawing side is clean and easy to use with little effort, and the cam side, is a little harder to learn than camworks, but its a good system. I almost have my mastercam certification and its been fun learning.

[magicniner]

Back To That Horse :-)

Given the statements from the company regarding updates being available to everyone but enhancements only to subscription holders I had expected that a release with all Bug Fixes would be avaliable to all users at the end of support for a given Version, did all V26 uses get access to an update with all the fixes at end of support?
If not then the integration of enhancements is being used as a tool to avoid delivering fixes to users who bought a broken or unfinished product,

- Nick

[The Engine Guy]

Back To That Horse :-)

Given the statements from the company regarding updates being available to everyone but enhancements only to subscription holders I had expected that a release with all Bug Fixes would be avaliable to all users at the end of support for a given Version, did all V26 uses get access to an update with all the fixes at end of support?
If not then the integration of enhancements is being used as a tool to avoid delivering fixes to users who bought a broken or unfinished product,

- Nick

Nick

I absolutely agree with you, it does seem that some (Not all) so called "enhancements" are in effect just a slightly different way of doing a particular function which fixes the "bug", that is a bit cynical to me and yes, there should be two seperate downloads, one for "bug" fixes and one for true new enhancements.

I am on V26 Pro 3x Build 1335 right now and I am not able to get the next update Build 1482 without payment, not good considering that almost every item (There are a few enhancements/new bits) in the release notes PDF says "Fixed etc, etc" so that means that almost all of Build 1482 is bug fixes, these according to BobCAD should be free but by bundling them in with a few emhancements and calling the PDF "Whats new in BobCAD" they are sliding out of their original committment to give fixes for free and new functionality on payment.

Their problem as I see it is because the enhancements between versions are few no one is going to pay for them as they will get them anyway on purchase of the next version and as they seem to be pushing a new version every 12~18 months unless someone is pretty desperate they will wait for the next version so the only way to generate income in the meantime is to charge for the "bug fixes" they said would be free ! !

Shame on you BobCAD, come on, live up to your promises, I for one won`t be personally spending any more money on BobCAD software unless they clean up their act, reckon I have been loyal to them for long enough now, just getting fed up with being "milked" all the time.

Rant over

Regards
Rob
:rainfro: :rainfro: :rainfro:

[Shaune]

well put rob, you hit the nail on the head
when we have already forked out its a bit too much

personally, i am looking at deskproto now, as a private hobbyist they have great rates

I have just started a new thread about the frustrations of engraving



shaune

[ger21]

You might also want to take a look at Autodesk's new Fusion 360. It's subscription based, and is both CAD and CAM. The CAM is based on HSM Works. For two more weeks, they have a special offer where if you purchase a subscription at the normal price, you get upgraded to the ultimate version for life, if you keep your subscription current. It's $300/year for the base package, and the ultimate will be priced at $1200/year. So if you subscribe now, you'll get a $1200/year package for $300/year, as long as you keep the subscription active.

[mmoe]

You might also want to take a look at Autodesk's new Fusion 360. It's subscription based, and is both CAD and CAM. The CAM is based on HSM Works. For two more weeks, they have a special offer where if you purchase a subscription at the normal price, you get upgraded to the ultimate version for life, if you keep your subscription current. It's $300/year for the base package, and the ultimate will be priced at $1200/year. So if you subscribe now, you'll get a $1200/year package for $300/year, as long as you keep the subscription active.

I think the CAM side is just the free level of HSM works though, correct?

[ger21]

No, not in the Ultimate version. It contains quite a few 3D toolpaths. About 3D Machining Strategies

[Shaune]

I have always had issues with the cad side of bobcad, it's I bizarre interface and feels weird. I use rhino and love it. That said the cam side of rhino is expensive so I use bob just for cam. It's ok but for what I paid, then the upgrade it only feels average. Machining 4th axis, I haven't done any yet, isn't really 4th axis ie draw flat and it rolls up.
It's annoying when you pay for software that includes bugs that are not fixed before issue. I believe they should upgrade you to the latest version as a sign of good faith and recognition that you have paid for and are relying on software that is really still under development

[magicniner]

The horse may have left the building but it snuck out without saying goodbye and it doesn't phone, it doesn't write........... :-(

BobCAD-CAM Software Updates

In efforts to provide better service BobCAD-CAM has chosen to prioritize software enhancements and bug fixes to active support members first. Critical fixes will still be provided free of charge. In the future critical bug fixes and updates will be addressed separately.

BobCAD-CAM’s success has always been offering high value and competitive software. We know shops of all sizes rely on BobCAD and the #1 reason they choose us is value. So staying true with what has made the BobCAD CAM brand and product line so successful has always and will always be providing the highest value in CAD CAM software.

The more customers that are on support the better service we can offer. As a BobCAD customer you expect a knowledgeable support technician to answer your questions in a timely manner with a high level of customer service. Due to the increasing popularity of the BobCAD-CAM product lines our customer base has grown steadily. To meet the demands of our growing client base and to sustain a high level of service we were faced with a choice. We feel requiring our customers to maintain an active support subscription to obtain updates is the best choice we could make to keep the lowest cost for the clients and still provide a competitive product.

These changes have been in place but not enforced since the release of version 26, All of our BobCAD-CAM version 26 customers have been notified of this at the time of purchase along with the notification of the available support plans.

As our customer it is your right to be entitled to a working product, If you feel you have found a bug in the software do report the issue to us so that we can provide solutions and critical fixes to you in an efficient manner.

Each report will be reviewed on a one on one basis and handled accordingly. Bug reports can be reported here Select a department - Powered by Kayako Fusion Help Desk Software

It all gets down to what a "Critical Fix" is and what a "Critical Bug Fix" is and without clarification/definition they are what BC wants, when it wants.
I think we should reasonably expect not to get any bug fixes for non-functional/partially-functional/useless features without a support subscription,

- Nick

[SBC Cycle]

The horse may have left the building but it snuck out without saying goodbye and it doesn't phone, it doesn't write........... :-(

It all gets down to what a "Critical Fix" is and what a "Critical Bug Fix" is and without clarification/definition they are what BC wants, when it wants.
I think we should reasonably expect not to get any bug fixes for non-functional/partially-functional/useless features without a support subscription,

- Nick

I guess we will know what is a "Critical" bug is when we see the first free update. Has there been a separate update yet for non support members?

[MikeC8]

v27 is a huge improvement over previous versions on the cad side. Its worth downloading the trial version and trying it out.

As for paying for support/updates, just about every software company works the same way, but at even higher costs.

[WILDMAN2]

Well I like V-27 no problems with it at all. Bobcad hit it out of the park. I have 3 types of CNC Hass, Monarch and Cinci Milacron. Bobcad V-27 is so easy I have my opperater converting there own programs to there machine. I just make all the programs to run on the Hass. Old V-26 go right in have not had any problems to date.

[jrmach]

Where's that Horse ?
I wanna beat on it

[Shaune]

Show me the horse too.