Just wondering if there are any affordable or free contouring programs for mach3. I know someone has asked this question a 1000 times already but now it's a 1001  .

you can do 3D contour in Bobcad V21 for short money $300-$500 depends on deal you push for. It does do an OK job. just takes a while to learn. for a few bucks  more you can add bobart it is a good little program for the price. I will admit that I am a resellers of bobcad but do not push it.

I do appreciate the reply and info. If you have the time email me info on what you have to offer. jeffhead@comcast.net Thanks Jeff

Vetric has a 2d & 3d program with a free demo download.
http://vectric.com

Tom

Before you think about buying BobCAD/CAM, you should go to CNC Zone and read all the posts from disgruntled customers.

Thanks will do.......

If you on about 3D then I use Meshcam, $150.
It's quite a simple program and seems to do a good job.
2 1/2D I use Sheetcam, again around $150.

Steve

I'll agree with the MeshCAM option. Also a longtime user. Easy to use and works great, with new features being added all the time.

Before you think about buying BobCAD/CAM, you should go to CNC Zone and read all the posts from disgruntled customers.

Before you belief half of what is posted on the cnc zone look who post it. ...yes V22 is still a little messed up but V21 is a very stable program and at a good price. They have a sale now for $500 I bet you could get it for $350. . it not mastercam but look what you pay just for basic mastercam.Ya the sale force is a total joke.
As a matter of fact I will be installing a new Tormach in Boston week after next. For software I recommended (and sold to them) that they go with Visual Mill Pro for the cad/cam office and two seat of V21. one to keep at the machine and the other in the machine shop office. I charge them $450 for 2 seat of V21. Visual Mill Pro was $4K. In the last year there have only been 2 jobs I need advanced 4th axis. Both time Visual Mill handle them nicely.But at $4K you can't buy many seats. Most cam programming done is 2 1/2 axis. I bet 75% of the total cad/cam market has never cut a 3d part . But I must say that Mach and the Tormach have done some wild 3d contouring for me. Art and you guy did a great job with Mach. Greg Jackson and his team have got it running very nicely.  [/size]

Thanks for the reply's guys. I run a small guitar company and the only thing I want this for is to make carved top guitar bodies and some inlay work. I have some serious back problems so this will be doing most of the work for me know so I just need a good stable program that don't take a Harvard Grad to understand it. I do appreciate everyone's opinions. Jeff