If you work with CAD software, you’re probably always on the hunt for ways to make your workflow more efficient. Central to that search is finding the best workstations for CAD. With so many impressive machines on the market, however, that’s not always an easy task.
- 3d Cad Cam Software
- Best Cad Cam Software 2018
- Best Cad Cam Computers
- Free Cad Cam Software Download
- Best Cad Cam Software 2018
It’s for this reason that we here at Scan2CAD have put together this rundown of some of the best workstations for CAD. We’ll also include the specs and stats you need to make an informed decision. Let’s jump in!
There’s plenty of competition in today’s workstation market, ensuring that manufacturers have gone all out to produce some truly terrific workstations for CAD. But this also leaves consumers with the dilemma of working out which machine is worth their hard-earned cash.
When buying a workstation, therefore, you need to know which factors to pay attention to. Luckily, we’ve put together a quick shopping list of features you should look out for in a great workstation:
A cloud-powered 3D CAD software tool for product engineers, Fusion 360 is a 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool in a league of its own. Fusion 360 connects the entire product development process in a single cloud-based platform that works on Macs and PCs. Key Features: Design, test, and fabricate in a single tool; Work anywhere, any time; Collaborate. Some of the major dental CAD/CAM software developed by the company includes Planmeca PlanCAD and Planmeca PlanScan. In 2016, the company launched 3D printers for printing dental implants.
- Budget. An easy one to start off with, but it’s worth mentioning: be sure to stick to your budget. This doesn’t just mean looking at the price of a machine as a whole, but also knowing what to prioritize. Is it worth having a touchscreen if you can spend the extra money on better processing power instead, for example? Be aware of what you actually want your machine to do, and spend money on that.
- Memory. Most CAD applications demand a lot of RAM—particularly those that perform complex rendering, simulation or analysis tasks. This means you’ll need a machine that puts plenty of memory at your disposal. Some machines also offer tools that correct memory errors, which can prevent major issues from occuring further down the line.
- Graphics. CAD is all about design (it’s in the name!), which means that you need to be able to see your models in their full glory. Workstation-class graphics cards are generally the way to go thanks to their preference for greater levels of detail. NVIDIA Quadro and AMD FirePro are the market leaders in this field.
- Processing. There are plenty of issues to consider when it comes to choosing a processor, from the number of cores and threads through to the clock speed. The former is certainly tricky—some applications want more cores, whilst others can’t handle multiple threading. Check the requirements of the CAD program you use before committing.
These are some of the most important factors to check out—but they only just scratch the surface. There are other things to consider, such as keyboards. Let’s dive in and see what these machines are really made of!
Buying a pre-customized machine isn’t your only option. Thinking of building your workstation from scratch instead? Check out our guide to building the ultimate CAD PC.
Let’s start off with the big beasts—top-of-the-range workstations for CAD for those in need of some serious power. Bear in mind that all machines featured here are customizable, giving you the opportunity to include and exclude components as you see fit to create your ideal CAD machine.
HP Z8
HP claims that their Z8 workstation is “the world’s most powerful”. Image source: HP.
Memory | Up to 3 TB |
Storage | Up to 48 TB |
CPU | Range of Intel Xeon processors available |
Cores | Up to 56 |
GPU | Range of AMD Radeon Pro and NVIDIA Quadro GPUs available |
Price | From $2,439.00 |
→ Check availability on Amazon. |
Previously featured in our September 2017 news roundup, the HP Z8 has certainly merited a place in our lineup. HP have named the machine “the world’s most powerful workstation”, and it has the chops to prove it, running on Intel Xeon processors with up to 56 cores. With the Z8, HP are aiming squarely for the market’s power users, with the machine’s intended uses including 8K video editing, machine learning and simulation.
This customizable machine is compatible with a range of professional AMD and NVIDIA graphics options. Meanwhile, it’s also one of the most secure workstations around, and includes the SureStart self-healing BIOS. Prices for the HP Z8 start at $2,439 for a model featuring an Intel Xeon Silver 4108 processor, 8 GB of memory, a 1 TB hard drive and AMD Radeon Pro WX 1400 graphics. However, the machine’s wide range of customization options means you have the ability to create the ultimate workstation for your needs—provided you’ve got the cash.
If you’re working at the forefront of CAD, BIM and animation, then this is the pick for you. Those seeking something a little more affordable, however, have plenty of other great options.
CPU Solutions CEV-5169
CEV-5169: the AutoCAD-ready workstation. Image source: CPU Solutions.
Memory | Up to 64 GB |
Storage | 3 TB |
CPU | Intel Core i7 7700 4.2 GHz |
Cores | 4 |
GPU | NVIDIA Quadro P4000 |
Price | From $2,488.99 |
→ Check availability on Amazon |
Next on our list, we move to a company who specialize in custom computers for businesses across a range of sectors. Amongst these are a range of workstations for CAD and video editing which rival those from any of the market’s major players. That company is CPU Solutions, and the machine we’re featuring here is the CEV-5169.
Before building the CEV-5169, CPU Solutions didn’t underestimate the task ahead of them. They realized that the ideal workstation for CAD/CAM would need to aim far higher than the minimum software requirements—after all, no CAD professional should settle for average. This is where the CEV-5169 excels, with specs that make it ideal not only for CAD, but for video editing, too.
Under the hood, you’ll find an Intel Core i7 4.2 GHz processor, auto overclocked to 4.5 GHz. Meanwhile, the basic configuration of this machine features 32 GB of RAM, with a maximum memory of 64 GB. If you’re looking for a workstation that, well, works, you can’t go too far wrong with CPU Solutions.
Dell Precision Tower 7910
Dell’s most powerful workstation. Image source: Dell.
Memory | Up to 1 TB |
Storage | Up to 20 TB |
CPU | Range of Intel Xeon processors available |
Cores | Up to 22 per processor |
GPU | Range of AMD and NVIDIA graphics available |
Price | From $2,079.00 |
→ Check availability on Amazon |
Lying at the top end of Dell’s impressive Precision range of workstations is the 7910. At the heart of this workstation are its Intel Xeon dual processors—and with up to 22 cores per processor, this is a machine packing plenty of firepower. As such, it’s a great machine for anyone carrying out CPU-intensive rendering or simulation tasks.
Plenty of workstations have fantastic processors, though—so, what can Dell bring to the table that’s unique? Well, there’s Dell Precision Optimizer, for starters. This handy tool will adjust your system settings based on the applications you use most frequently, allowing you to get the most out of your machine. Meanwhile, there’s also Dell’s Reliable Memory Technology (RMT) Pro. With this tool, issues with bad memory will become nothing more than… well, a bad memory.
If it weren’t already clear that this is a great workstation for CAD and BIM users, its extensive list of certifications from some of the industry’s biggest players will put it beyond any doubt. ISV certifications from Dassault Systèmes, Autodesk, PTC, Siemens and many others make this an ideal choice across a range of design sectors.
Once upon a time, we thought of workstations as fixed behemoths. But the way we work today is more flexible than ever before—so our workstations need to be, too. Thankfully, there are plenty of companies redefining what (and where) a workstation can be. Here are a few of our picks.
HP ZBook 17 G4
Memory | 16 GB |
Storage | 4 TB |
CPU | Range of Intel Core/Xeon processors |
Cores | 4 |
GPU | Range of AMD Radeon Pro and NVIDIA Quadro GPUs available |
Price | From $1,332.00 |
→ Check availability on Amazon. |
If you thought that going mobile meant compromising on the quality of your machine, then HP are setting out to prove you wrong. Their ZBook line of workstations come with Intel Xeon processors, plus professional graphics, with AMD Radeon Pro or NVIDIA Quadro GPUs featuring up to 16 GB of video memory. Differentiating it further from other workstations for CAD is the availability of VR-ready configurations.
A further bonus to the machine is its 4 TB of storage, which, as well as providing ample space for large files, also offers fast booting and file transfers. You can even boost your speed with optional dual HP Z Turbo Drives. As an added plus, the ZBook series has undergone hundreds of thousands of hours worth of testing, and come with a three-year onsite limited warranty.
It’s also worth noting that this machine isn’t just durable on the inside. HP has also tested the ZBook series for its dependability, with the machine proving resistant to movement, drops, temperature changes and even dust. Okay, so most designers will be more likely to work from their home office, but it’s nice to know that the option of working in the Mojave Desert is there if you want it.
Razer Blade Pro
Is it worth trying out a gaming laptop? Image source: Razer.
Memory | Up to 32 GB |
Storage | Up to 6 TB |
CPU | Intel Core i7-7820HK |
Cores | Up to 4 |
GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 Series |
Price | From $1,799.99 |
→ Check availability on Amazon. |
We know what you’re thinking: isn’t Razer a gaming company? The answer is yes—but hear us out. The Razer Blade Pro aims to hit that sweet spot between the worlds of work and play, and pulls it off with some flair.
As you would expect, the machine doesn’t feature typical workstation components, including an Intel Core (rather than Xeon) processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX (rather than Quadro) graphics. Its focus on delivering an excellent experience for gamers, however, has had the happy side effect of offering a powerful set of tools for workstations, too. The 4K screen is a key selling point, featuring brilliant color saturation.
Completing tasks is a breeze with the Razer Blade Pro’s high performance mode. Selecting this will overclock your machine’s processor to 4.3GHz, making intensive tasks a cinch. Additionally, this is a machine built for high-performance graphics—perfect for BIM software.
HP ZBook x2
Memory | 32 GB |
Storage | Up to 2 TB |
CPU | Intel Core i7 processors |
Cores | 4 |
GPU | NVIDIA Quadro graphics |
Price | From $2,160.00 |
→ Check availability on Amazon. |
Yep, we’re already heading back to HP—but with good reason. This machine stands apart from the others in our list as the world’s first detachable workstation: the HP ZBook x2. We already gave this machine a shout out in our October 2017 news roundup, but we’re more than happy to provide an extra rundown here.
Tech specs for the ZBook x2 include a 4.2 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, and professional NVIDIA Quadro graphics. In terms of visuals, this machine competes almost pound-for-pound with the best workstations for CAD on the market thanks to its two 4K screen options. Then, of course, there’s the killer blow: the ability to use the ZBook x2 as either a laptop or a tablet.
There’s a strong focus here on Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite of products, making this a good choice if you’re looking to manually vectorize your image using Illustrator. The machine also holds ISV certifications for a range of workstation applications, though, making this a great all-rounder.
Big things often come in small packages, and that’s certainly the case for our next group of machines: mini workstations for CAD.
Lenovo ThinkStation P320 Tiny
With the ThinkStation P320 Tiny, Lenovo pack CAD-ready specs into a diminutive machine.
Memory | Up to 32 GB |
Storage | Up to 2 TB |
CPU | Up to Intel Core i7-7700T |
Cores | Up to 4 |
GPU | NVIDIA Quadro P600 |
Price | From $944.10 |
→ Check availability on Amazon. |
When most people hear the word ‘workstation’, they’ll likely think of a bulky tower, such as those featured in the list above. The word is much less likely to evoke a machine that’s shorter than a #2 pencil—yet that’s exactly what Lenovo have delivered with the ThinkStation P320 Tiny.
Weighing in at under 3lbs, Lenovo have cut the workstation down to size without reducing its potency. Users can expect industry-standard NVIDIA graphics, with support for up to six independent displays. As well as this, the workstation also comes with fast Intel Core processing. Meanwhile, the machine has received ISV certification, meaning that users of a range of CPU-intensive applications can allay any fears they may have before buying.
Lenovo have also gone to great lengths to ensure that this small machine is no pushover. In fact, they’ve put the ThinkStation P320 Tiny through the wringer with 12 military-stress tests, including temperature changes of 80°C. Who says small machines can’t be rugged?
Apple Mac Pro
![Best Cad Cam Software 2016 Best Cad Cam Software 2016](https://cnet3.cbsistatic.com/img/RVq6oM4Ic9jZ2hMB3jRko9dOQx4=/770x433/2016/01/26/2163e8de-8417-4abf-930b-03ae8c063943/immediablinkcamproductphotos-1.jpg)
Could an Apple Mac Pro find its way onto your desktop? Image source: Paul Hudson.
Memory | Up to 64 |
Storage | Up to 1TB |
CPU | Intel Xeon E5 |
Cores | Up to 12 |
GPU | Dual AMD FirePro D500/D700 |
Price | From $2,999.00 |
→ Check availability on Amazon. |
Criticisms have been leveled at the Mac Pro, which is the only Apple option to feature on this list. But packed within this 9.9″-tall cylinder are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t disregard the machine which, even today, remains the defining example of a workstation.
The dual GPUs that feature in this machine are one of its key selling points. It’s up to you to choose your configuration between two AMD FirePro GPUs: either the D500 units, which feature 3 GB of VRAM each, or the D700s, with 6 GB of VRAM each. On the processing side of things, you’ll find an Intel Xeon E5 CPU, configurable with up to 12 cores.
Additional features that are likely to convert buyers to the Mac Pro are its number of expansion ports and up to 64 GB of memory—as well, of course, as the design of the machine, which, in true Apple style, is sleek and stunning. Be prepared to fork out—Apple products rarely come cheap, after all—but also to expect great performance.
HP Z2 Mini G3
Memory | Up to 32 GB |
Storage | Up to 1 TB |
CPU | Range of Intel Core/Xeon processors |
Cores | Up to 4 |
GPU | NVIDIA Quadro M620 |
Price | From $820.00 |
→ Check availability on Amazon. |
HP’s Z2 Mini G3 machine sports an appearance closer to an Xbox than a traditional workstation—but appearances, as the adage goes, can be deceiving. Though it’s 90% smaller than a typical tower, it still includes everything you’d expect from a great workstation.
Crack open the hood, and you’ll find professional NVIDIA Quadro Pro graphics: ideal for 3D modeling applications. Meanwhile, you can configure the machine to include either Intel Xeon or Core processors depending on your budget and requirements, with options to use either Windows 10 Pro or Linux. And there’s HP Z Turbo Drive, featuring up to 1.5 TB of fast storage.
With these specs, it’s clear that HP created the Z2 Mini with CAD in mind. Thankfully, their hard work has paid off, with the machine receiving certifications for Autodesk software such as AutoCAD, Revit and Inventor, as well as Dassault Systèmes software, including SolidWorks.
Sticking to a budget doesn’t mean you should have to settle. There are plenty of workstations for CAD at friendlier price points than you might expect—and they still offer users a tremendous experience. Check out our favourites below.
Dell Precision Tower 3620
Professional performance at an affordable price. Image source: ZDNet.
Memory | Up to 64 GB |
Storage | Up to 11 TB |
CPU | Intel Core i5/i7 or Xeon E3-1200 processors |
Cores | 4 |
GPU | Range of NVIDIA and AMD graphics |
Price | From $599.00 |
→ Check availability on Amazon. |
If you liked the look of the Dell Precision Tower 7910, but not the price point, then Dell have an alternative option: the 3620. This machine is one of Dell’s most affordable workstations for CAD, but it still comes with plenty of useful components and features.
The 3620 is a mini-tower machine that offers users plenty of space for expansion—space that can be used for two 3.5″ SATA, or four 2.5″ SATA. You’ll get professional Intel Xeon processing, with Intel Core i5 and i7 options also available. As for graphics, you can choose from a range of professional 2D cards, or entry and mid-range 3D cards—the latter is, obviously, the better choice for any 3D CAD users out there.
Dell also note the security of their machine, which includes optional Dell Data Protection, Security Tools and Dell Control Vault. How to update an apple computer. Meanwhile, self-encrypting drives can help to ensure that your files remain yours and yours alone.
HP Z240 SFF
Memory | Up to 64 GB |
Storage | Up to 1 TB |
CPU | Intel Xeon/Core processors |
Cores | Up to 4 |
GPU | Range of integrated Intel, NVIDIA or AMD graphics |
Price | From $958.00 |
→ Check availability on Amazon. |
Standing 57% smaller than an average tower, this workstation from HP could easily have made it into our mini workstations section. However, there’s a reason why we’re featuring the HP Z240 SFF in our budget section: it’s one of the most affordable options on our list.
Though an entry-level machine, the Z240 manages to fit Intel Xeon or Core processors, 1 TB of storage space and even 20 connectors and expansion slots into a tiny frame. Its range of graphics options aren’t at the highest end of the market, but it still represents a great choice for anyone who needs to complete serious CAD work without spending serious cash.
This small machine is speedy, too, coming with the HP Z Turbo Drives we’ve come to love. Plus, with ISV certification on hand, the HP Z240 SFF offers workstation performance at consumer desktop prices.
Lenovo ThinkStation P320 Tower
Memory | Up to 64 GB |
Storage | Up to 4 TB |
CPU | Intel Core i3/i5/17 or Xeon E3-1200v5 |
Cores | 4 |
GPU | Up to NVIDIA Quadro M4000 |
Price | From $746.10 |
→ Check availability on Amazon. |
We return to the Lenovo ThinkStation series of workstations for the final entry in our list: the P320. The bigger brother (literally) to the P320 we featured earlier, this is one of the most affordable workstations for CAD today. But can it deliver where it counts?
You may have guessed from its inclusion on our list, but the answer, thankfully, is a resounding yes. Though it comes in well below the $1,000 mark, the ThinkStation P320 Tower is a superb entry-level offering for CAD use.
Within this small tower, users can get up to 4 TB of storage space and 64 GB of memory. Additionally, you’ll get NVIDIA graphics, ranging up to the professional NVIDIA Quadro M4000 model. True: if you’re looking for the highest-end machine on the market, then the Lenovo ThinkStation P320 is not what you’re looking for. But if you’re looking for fantastic performance for just a few hundred dollars, then this machine will deliver in spades.
Important note: For CAD workstations, it is just as important to have the best graphics card for your CAD needs. Check out this comparison of the best graphics cards out today.
Picking the wrong CAM package can be a nightmare…
What sorts of things would you like to know before purchasing CAM Software? CAM is often expensive, you’ll invest hours learning to use it properly, and it may make the difference between success or failure of your CNC project. Odds are, the more you know about the various CAM packages you’re considering, the better off you’ll be.
This article presents a different kind of analysis of CAM packages because it’s based not on our view of the packages, but on the views of real users of the software as determined by our 2015 CAM Market Share and Usability Survey. The ratings and information here are drawn entirely from those survey responses. Moreover, when we ran the survey, the questions were open-ended. We didn’t pick categories, we simply asked folks to tell us the 3 things they liked most about their CAM software and the 3 biggest frustrations they were having with it. The results give an unprecedented view into how real users react to the various packages.
Despite there having been more than 16 packages surveyed, we decided to only cover the Top 16 in order to ensure there were enough responses for each package to allow meaningful analysis. We cover the packages by market segment just as in the other analyses. We’ve rated each package in this report on:
– Likelihood of Adoption: Percentage of trials that wound up adopting.
– Customer Satisfaction: Our score based on how adopters rated the package and whether they were shopping for a replacement.
– CAD Integration & Features: Pct of customers calling out CAD integration or built in CAD features as something they really like about the package, or as something that frustrates them.
– Ease of Use: Customer comments relating to Ease of Use, Support, Documentation, Help, and the like.
– Toolpaths: Customer comments relating to quality of toolpaths, level of control, power, MRR’s, and the like.
– Feature Recognition & Templates: Customer comments relating to a grab bag of features that reduce the work needed to set up a toolpath. Feature recognition and templates or styles are the most common.
– Simulation: Comments relating to built-in simulators.
– Value: Comments relating to price or value at the price.
– 4/5 Axis: Comments relating to multi-axis support
– Posts / Setup: Comments relating to posts and setup.
– Customer Satisfaction: Our score based on how adopters rated the package and whether they were shopping for a replacement.
– CAD Integration & Features: Pct of customers calling out CAD integration or built in CAD features as something they really like about the package, or as something that frustrates them.
– Ease of Use: Customer comments relating to Ease of Use, Support, Documentation, Help, and the like.
– Toolpaths: Customer comments relating to quality of toolpaths, level of control, power, MRR’s, and the like.
– Feature Recognition & Templates: Customer comments relating to a grab bag of features that reduce the work needed to set up a toolpath. Feature recognition and templates or styles are the most common.
– Simulation: Comments relating to built-in simulators.
– Value: Comments relating to price or value at the price.
– 4/5 Axis: Comments relating to multi-axis support
– Posts / Setup: Comments relating to posts and setup.
We binned responses into these categories to make it easier to compare the reaction across packages.
Feature Popularity
Let’s start by seeing which areas were most likely to receive positive comment. In order of popularity:
– 4.17 Ease of Use
– 3.14 Toolpaths
– 2.79 CAD Integration / Features
– 2.08 Feature Recognition / Templates
– 1.63 Simulation
– 0.58 4/5 Axis
– 0.56 Value
– 3.14 Toolpaths
– 2.79 CAD Integration / Features
– 2.08 Feature Recognition / Templates
– 1.63 Simulation
– 0.58 4/5 Axis
– 0.56 Value
The numerical index gives an idea of relative popularity. Ease of Use was mentioned nearly 8x more often than Value, for example. Or, looked at another way, Ease of Use trumps quality of Toolpaths for many in this audience.
Biggest Headaches
What goes wrong with CAM Software?
The areas most likely to receive negative comment were, in order of popularity:
– 3.19 Ease of Use
– 1.99 Post / Setup
– 1.95 CAD Integration / Features
– 1.87 Toolpaths
– 1.60 Bugs
– 1.05 Feeds & Speeds
– 0.85 Import / Export
– 0.56 Tool Library
– 0.41 Feature Recognition / Templates
– 0.34 Value
– 0.20 4/5 Axis
– 1.99 Post / Setup
– 1.95 CAD Integration / Features
– 1.87 Toolpaths
– 1.60 Bugs
– 1.05 Feeds & Speeds
– 0.85 Import / Export
– 0.56 Tool Library
– 0.41 Feature Recognition / Templates
– 0.34 Value
– 0.20 4/5 Axis
One can conclude that the biggest problem the CAM area as a whole faces, is Ease of Use, followed pretty closely by Post / Setup problems, which are something of a specific area for Ease of Use. It’s disappointing to see Bugs scoring so high, but one of the reasons people buy our G-Wizard Editor is to simulate the CAM generated GCode so they can get a second opinion on whether there are bugs.
Looking at these two categories together, it seems that many just want a CAM package that’s easy to use (and Setup / get the Post working), has decent Toolpaths, and decent integration with their CAD package. It doesn’t seem too much to ask for, yet the fact these things are coming up in the survey indicates they are not as common as CNC’ers would like. Having all that goes a long way!
I was also interested to see how high Feeds & Speeds rated on the list of Biggest Headaches. Again, this was unaided. Nowhere in the survey were users asked about Feeds and Speeds. But a great many wrote it in as a problem for the package. Feeds and Speeds are hard to do and most every CAM package does a pretty lousy job with them. Toolpaths and the ability to achieve good Material Removal Rates are really hampered by poor Feeds and Speeds, hence it ranks nearly as high. Do yourself a favor and augment your CAM package with a product like G-Wizard Calculator that can really do Feeds and Speeds well.
High End Segment Strengths and Weaknesses
Readers who read the initial analysis of the CAM Survey will recall that we divided the packages into 3 segments:
- High-End: More expensive packages with more functionality.
- Tiered: Modular packages available in a range of configurations that span from the Low-End to the High-End.
- Low-End: These are inexpensive packages most commonly used by Hobbyists, but as we’ll see, they’re starting to come up-market to the Professional World.
Here are the overall winners in each feature category for the High End Segment:
- Best CAD Integration & Features: HSMWorks
- Best Ease of Use: OneCNC
- Best Toolpaths: Edgecam
- Best Feature Recognition & Templates: Camworks
- Best Simulation: Edgecam
- Best Value: HSMWorks
- Best 4/5 Axis: Mastercam
- Easiest to Setup / Best Posts: Edgecam
- Most Pct Positives: Edgecam
- Highest Customer Satisfaction: Edgecam
- Most Likely to Adopt if Tried: OneCNC
Clearly Edgecam, HSMWorks, OneCNC, and Mastercam get the high marks from their users in this market segment.
We’ll be publishing a PDF report with a full breakout of the Strengths and Weaknesses of each package in the next couple of days. Details on how to get your copy will be at the end of the article below. We’re breaking out that detail into another report because to do that level of analysis on 16 CAM packages results in a detailed 19 page report–way too long for a blog post. But I did want to give one sample profile here so you can see what the report will contain. Edgecam won the most categories and scored the highest customer satisfaction in this segment, so here’s what their profile in the report looks like:
Edgecam
Edgecam…
30% of those who tried it adopted Edgecam. Their customer satisfaction score was 1.50—highest in this segment.
Summary: Great Toolpaths and CAD Integration as well as good Simulation are Edgecam’s biggest strengths. In addition Customers like the Feature Recognition / Templates and find Posts and Setup are easier than most CAM. Weaknesses indicate not everyone agrees the CAD Integration and Ease of Use are as good as they could be and Feeds & Speeds need help. With so many areas well regarded and so few negatives, it isn’t hard to see why Edgecam does so well on Customer Satisfaction.
Strengths:
– 83%: Toolpaths
– 50%: CAD Integration / Features
– 33%: Ease of Use
– 33%: Simulation
– 17%: Feature Recognition / Templates
– 17%: Posts / Setup
– 233%: Total Positive Feedback
– 50%: CAD Integration / Features
– 33%: Ease of Use
– 33%: Simulation
– 17%: Feature Recognition / Templates
– 17%: Posts / Setup
– 233%: Total Positive Feedback
Weaknesses:
– 33%: Ease of Use
– 33%: CAD Integration / Features
– 17%: Feeds & Speeds
– 83%: Total Negative Feedback
– 33%: CAD Integration / Features
– 17%: Feeds & Speeds
– 83%: Total Negative Feedback
Note: To win the category, “net” scores were used. For example, Edgecam had almost equal numbers of users that liked (33%) or complained about Ease of Use (33%). They cancelled one another out, so this was not called out.
Tiered Segment Strengths and Weaknesses
Apple mac windows download. Overall
– Best CAD Integration & Features: BobCAD
– Best Ease of Use: Visual Mill
– Best Toolpaths: Aspire
– Best Feature Recognition & Templates: Vectric
– Best Simulation: Visual Mill
– Best Value: BobCAD
– Best 4/5 Axis: SprutCAM
– Easiest to Setup / Best Posts: SprutCAM / Aspire (tied)
– Pct Positives: Visual Mill
– Highest Customer Satisfaction: Aspire
– Most Likely to Adopt if Tried: SprutCAM
– Best Ease of Use: Visual Mill
– Best Toolpaths: Aspire
– Best Feature Recognition & Templates: Vectric
– Best Simulation: Visual Mill
– Best Value: BobCAD
– Best 4/5 Axis: SprutCAM
– Easiest to Setup / Best Posts: SprutCAM / Aspire (tied)
– Pct Positives: Visual Mill
– Highest Customer Satisfaction: Aspire
– Most Likely to Adopt if Tried: SprutCAM
The highest Customer Satisfaction Score in this category went to Aspire, so here is its profile:
Aspire
43% of those who evaluated Aspire wound up buying it. Customer Satisfaction Score was 1.40—the best in this class.
Summary: Biggest strengths would be Toolpaths. Weaknesses are CAD Integration / Features, Ease of Use, Stability, and Feeds and Speeds. But these weaknesses are not felt strongly as Aspire has the highest customer satisfaction in its class.
Strengths
– 20%: Toolpaths
– 10%: CAD Integration / Features
– 10%: Post / Setup
– 40%: Total Positive Feedback
– 10%: CAD Integration / Features
– 10%: Post / Setup
– 40%: Total Positive Feedback
Weaknesses
– 20%: CAD Integration / Features
– 10%: Ease of Use
– 10%: Post / Setup
– 10%: Bugs
– 10%: Toolpaths
– 10%: Feeds & Speeds
– 70%: Total Negative Feedback
– 10%: Ease of Use
– 10%: Post / Setup
– 10%: Bugs
– 10%: Toolpaths
– 10%: Feeds & Speeds
– 70%: Total Negative Feedback
Low End Segment Strengths and Weaknesses
Overall
– Best CAD Integration & Features: HSMWorks (Fusion 360)
– Best Ease of Use: MeshCAM
– Best Toolpaths: CamBam
– Best Feature Recognition & Templates: – none –
– Best Simulation: MeshCAM
– Best Value: CamBam
– Best 4/5 Axis: CamBam
– Easiest to Setup / Best Posts: – none –
– Pct Positives: CamBam
– Highest Customer Satisfaction: HSMWorks (Fusion 360)
– Most Likely to Adopt if Tried: HSMWorks (Fusion 360)
– Best Ease of Use: MeshCAM
– Best Toolpaths: CamBam
– Best Feature Recognition & Templates: – none –
– Best Simulation: MeshCAM
– Best Value: CamBam
– Best 4/5 Axis: CamBam
– Easiest to Setup / Best Posts: – none –
– Pct Positives: CamBam
– Highest Customer Satisfaction: HSMWorks (Fusion 360)
– Most Likely to Adopt if Tried: HSMWorks (Fusion 360)
We were very pleased to see MeshCam won Ease of Use. We’ve been saying it’s the World’s Easiest to Use CAM for some time and it seems MeshCam users agree.
Since the Highest Customer Satisfaction went to HSMWorks (Fusion 360), here is its profile:
HSMWorks (Fusion 360)
67% of those who tried HSMWorks (Fusion 360) adopted it (Highest in Class). Customer Satisfaction Score is 1.23 (Highest in Class)
Summary: HSMWorks (Fusion 360) owners report high customer satisfaction, love the CAD Integration / Features, good Ease of Use and Simulator, Good Toolpaths, and a Good Value.
3d Cad Cam Software
Strengths
– 43% CAD Integration / Features
– 23% Ease of Use
– 21% Simulation
– 17% Toolpaths
– 13% Value
– 117% Total Positive Feedback
– 23% Ease of Use
– 21% Simulation
– 17% Toolpaths
– 13% Value
– 117% Total Positive Feedback
Weaknesses
– 15% Post / Setup
– 15% Tool Library
– 13% Ease of Use
– 9% Toolpaths
– 9% 4/5 Axis
– 6% CAD Integration / Features
– 6% Feeds & Speeds
– 4% Bugs
– 85% Total Negative Feedback
– 15% Tool Library
– 13% Ease of Use
– 9% Toolpaths
– 9% 4/5 Axis
– 6% CAD Integration / Features
– 6% Feeds & Speeds
– 4% Bugs
– 85% Total Negative Feedback
Conclusion
Best Cad Cam Software 2018
This has been an unusual way to review CAM Software since the actual users were the reviewers and we just reported what they thought. There are a lot of great packages out there with differing strengths and weaknesses. As mentioned, we will shortly have a detailed 20+ page PDF report you can download that has all of this information plus the detailed profiles on the 16 most popular CAM packages.
To get your copy, you need to be a CNCCookbook newsletter subscriber. You can sign up right below just by giving us your name and email. You’ll receive a weekly email digest of our latest blog posts plus a link to a page that has the detailed report I mention plus a number of other special resources we offer our newsletter subscribers. Go ahead and sign up now and you’ll get the link to the page.
Like what you read on CNCCookbook?
Join 100,000+ CNC'ers! Get our latest blog posts delivered straight to your email inbox once a week for free. Plus, we’ll give you access to some great CNC reference materials including:
Best Cad Cam Computers
- Our Big List of over 200 CNC Tips and Techniques
- Our Free GCode Programming Basics Course
- And more!
Just enter your name and email address below:
100% Privacy: We will never Spam you!Free Cad Cam Software Download
4.7/5(3 votes )