Alibre CAD

**bhardy501** · 04-09-2010, 04:09 PM

There is some taxt books out there for it. I have one for and older version I think there has been one or two versions since then but it still covers most of the functions. Check Ebay, you can probably pick up a book or two there.

**Makethegun** · 04-09-2010, 07:19 PM

Nice part on Alibre.

I was using the free version of Cambam, basically a older version, the newer versions used to have 30 or so tries as a demo feature. It has been about a year since I used it but I thought it was pretty promising. If I was using something more I would consider buying the latest paid version for $149 but I think part of the deal was to be able to get upgrades free.

http://www.cambam.co.uk/

There is some talk about opencamlib which is a open source project to make toolpaths from models. Haven't personally used it.

http://code.google.com/p/opencamlib/

I have been looking in on the Heekscad progess and Dan Heeks seems to be making progress and it looks like he has had some sucess with opencamlib. Again I haven't tried it but it is on my list of things to do.

http://heekscnc.blogspot.com/

Another one that I have been meaning to try is Skeinforge. It is for an "additive process" cnc machine. Basically building up layers of extruded material. I don't know if it has options to use it for mill or router to cut chips. I've heard it is being used sucessfully with the reprap.org project and it is open source. I haven't gotten around to trying it out. It looks a bit complicated but that might be the cost of not paying cash up front. If I didn't have a whole bunch of projects already I'd be making a reprap machine.

http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/wiki/in...tle=Skeinforge

Actually, now that I think of it if you had a cnc router you could put a material extruder on it to do just that.

Are you going to run this on a cnc router?

**KHK** · 05-19-2010, 03:34 AM

I purchased Albre yesterday. I have not had the time to play with it, I guess that I will have to MAKE the time.

**Gadget** · 05-19-2010, 05:48 AM

Download all available tutorials and watch them Keith. It really helps a lot. Are you going to do routing as well as plasma or just plasma. For plasma you will want to get sheetcam TNG. You can get a license for the development version free but you have to upgrade every three months to keep it active. I can offer some pointers for that when you are ready.

**deere_x475guy** · 05-20-2010, 05:08 AM

Just want to echo what Dan has said. I bought Alibre Standard with Maintence a year ago. I started by downloading all the tutorials and printed them out to pdf. I went through each tutorial in order and then drew a part to send off for quoting. I can now pretty much draw up anything I need to make in the shop.

I am hoping to progress into CNC sometime in the future and will be buggin Dan for tips on this.

**ISKI** · 08-09-2010, 12:02 PM

Sounds interesting, I wanted to figure out how to get Solidworks to run a CNC without spending too much.

**wellis77** · 08-09-2010, 12:38 PM

I've been wanting to pick up solidworks as well but I just can't spring for it. I have used Alibre and I think it's alright but the version I have also doesn't do anything for exporting for CNC cutting. I may spring for the Professional version the next time they have a sale though.

**ISKI** · 08-09-2010, 12:55 PM

Originally I purchased the $149 student version, and then had my company purchase it for me since I used it mainly for work. I like it, but when I look at the cost of all the attachements, I would hate to spring for it on a hobby project. If you can sign up for classes (or you pay for your kid to go to school) a benifit is the $99 student edition or $149.00 student edition of solidworks). The problem is I don't know if you can upgrade or how long the license is good for with the new versions.