[Forrest C]

Has anyone here upgraded yet? I haven't found any videos on the changes and additions and just wondering what the general public thinks about it.

Forrest

[jmullett]

I'm using the 3 Axis Mill Pro version and there are a number of new options in the 3D toolpaths. Advanced 2 Axis pocketing now has a rest machining option to cleanup with a smaller tool which is a nice addition. Features using the same geometry can have multiple operations combined into a single strategy saving some time. This is a link to a good overview of the new features BobCAD CAM Presentation I used this to decide if I wanted to upgrade to V4. So far seems to be running pretty solid for me over the past 3-4 weeks I've had it.

[SBC Cycle]

I requested an evaluation copy and waited as long as I could to install it (been very busy). Then it got REALLY busy and the trial expired on me.

V4 brings the BobCAM plug-in up to the V26 standards and beyond. I'm really hoping I can finally make the switch to the SW environment soon.

[warrenb]

I evaluated BobCAD for SW. I didn't buy it. They do not have the ability to machine in the assembly environment. That was a deal killer right there for me.

I went with HSM works. It is a much better value.

[jmullett]

Just turn the Assembly into a Part. I do this all the time for programming machined weldments or parts on special made fixtures using BobCAM. You can do it two one of two ways. I prefer the latter method because it maintains associations link to the original assembly.

Quoting September 9th, 2011 blog article by Randy Simmons
Turning Parts into Assemblies, Assemblies into Parts (Part 2 & 3)
Here is how you do it.

1st way (NON-ASSOCIATIVE):
Simple as can be, but a lot of people would never even dream of trying it…
Open your assembly, do a SAVE AS, and change the “Save As Type” drop down box to PART.
There are some options that show up then asking what exactly you would like to be saved.
Just the Exterior Faces ? The Exterior Components ? Or All Components ?
Done, easy, finished…
This method is a “one shot deal” though. It is NON-ASSOCIATIVE.
i.e. the part WON’T UPDATE if the assembly is changed.

2nd way (ASSOCIATIVE):
If you want your resulting part to actually UPDATE if you ever make changes to the Assembly it is coming from, this is the method you need to use.
The command you will use is INSERT–FEATURES–JOIN.
However, when you are in an Assembly file you can not do an INSERT–FEATURES– anything…
So the first step is to make a NEW empty part IN the assembly.
INSERT–COMPONENT–NEW PART. Select a face or plane in the assembly that you want to be the FRONT face of the new part (doesn’t really matter for what we are doing). A “side-effect” of the Insert New Part command is that it puts you into a SKETCH on that face you selected. Usually this is great, but in this case we don’t need it, so just EXIT THE SKETCH.
Now you are in EDIT PART mode in the new part, and you CAN go to INSERT–FEATURES–JOIN.
Select the parts you would like to join together into your PART file (don’t have to select them all) and hit OK.
Now if you SAVE that new part, you will have what you wanted, an ASSEMBLY TURNED INTO A PART !

In that Part file there is an external reference (the “->” symbol in the tree) showing you that any changes in the Assembly WILL propagate down to the PART.

Furthermore, if you don’t want the resulting part to be a MULTI-BODY part, you could use our boolean COMBINE command and the ADD option.

- See more at: Turning Parts into Assemblies, Assemblies into Parts (Part 2 & 3)

[SBC Cycle]

Nice tip jmullett. I wondered if V4 added the capability to machine in an assembly. That was also disappointing to me but not a deal breaker. That doesn't sound like too bad of a workaround.

[fidia]

Is it worth an upgrade to V4?

Cant see any major improvements other than the lathe interface, the lathe toolpaths are the same and don't see any real benefit of paying the cash, also the major focus seems to be on V27, V4 seems to be a secondary product, very few videos of V4, and already a year behind V27.

[fidia]

I evaluated BobCAD for SW. I didn't buy it. They do not have the ability to machine in the assembly environment. That was a deal killer right there for me.

I went with HSM works. It is a much better value.

HSM Works is £6000 - I got V3 Mill and Lathe Pro for $2500 - Where is the "Good Value". Also HSM works free trial doesn't let you use the turning software.

[jmullett]

fidia,

If you are using the Mill Pro version, moving to V4 is really is a major upgrade in my opinion. Several new options to improve and control the tool paths. Here is a 64 page presentation I received in email with official Solidworks monikers. Overview of the toolpath enhancements start on page 16. BobCAD CAM Presentation