V14 feedback

cutter — 2009-07-08 09:15:34

Hi Chris, Caliper runs fine on XP Pro and has been doing so for almost 6 years now for me with no special treatment. One of their sales reps gave me a copy of Caliper 3D and it has run without fail or problems so I was unaware of the windows 2000 thing. That is very good news to hear and hope there is something you can do. Thanks, Dave

ChrisW — 2009-07-08 06:06:12

Hello cutter Well, there is both good and bad news with the 3D Caliper application. From Faro:

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Caliper 3D is an obsolete product. Caliper 3D needs to be used with non USB Faro Arms with Windows 2000 or earlier. Caliper 3D was designed for operating systems Windows 2000 and earlier. Windows XP is not recommended and you may see complications if used with Windows XP.

There will be a time when VX itself will only support these Microsoft platforms: XP, Vista and 7. 2000 is no longer supported by Microsoft so we will get to the point where VX can't run on it. Hardware wise, the serial port has rapidly been replaced by USB. Basically, there is no compelling reason for VX Corp to support this setup. Caliper 3D supports circles, spheres and point-to-point distances and I assume that you are currently able to use it on your OS (In XP, it should be possible to run Caliper 3D in a compatibility mode for Windows2000). The good news is the Translate button on the Caliper 3D interface - you can save a Faro output file in XYZ (absolute points), 3D DXF or IGES formats and they are all supported by VX. Also, I may be able to semi-automate the input into VX based on a Faro MTR output file for you (this file is the data as you see it in the Caliper 3D window).

cutter — 2009-07-07 22:12:42

Hey one more thing. If you are serious I will loan my Faroarm to the Florida bunch if it would help an interface to happen..

cutter — 2009-07-07 22:11:07

Chris, if you go to Faro's site look first for "customer care", then "support center". Type in caliper 3d and you will see this file and others related to it's use. It is kind of hard to find these on their site but now you know. Dave

ChrisW — 2009-07-06 03:53:06

Hello cutter The interface card I am referring to is one that would allow us to measure the signals from the device in order to de-code or reverse-engineer them. I will see what I can find out about how Rhino did it, possibly a third party solution, but more likely they had access to the SDK in earlier times when it was available (ditto Surfcam et al). I can't find any reference to 3D Caliper on Faro's web site.

cutter — 2009-07-05 18:59:24

Hi Chris, not sure what motivates Faro as the current version of Rhino has an interface for Faro as does Surfcam so they are letting some use it. Renishaw and Delcam also can interface with the Faroarm along with numerous others listed on their website. Where would an interface card come into the picture because as far as I know every version of software that Faro interfaces with works through the Faro controller so I allready have an "interface card" with the unit. There is a free download called 3D Caliper at the faro site and it is a basic interface we use to calibrate and asign planes to the Faroarm prior to hooking up to Surfcam for instance and it does allow for some data collection itself if you care to have a look. About 4megs if I remember right so not a large file.

ChrisW — 2009-07-04 17:47:44

Hi cutter Faro simply do not have an SDK for their devices now, any CAD-CAM software that wants to integrate has to do it with their "full blown" software instead. With an SDK, VX could "talk" to the device directly, as it does with others. It would likely be possible to set-up your device with an interface card to de-code the signals by trial and error but the cost on our side is prohibitive and no doubt Faro would do more than voice their displeasure too.

cutter — 2009-07-04 13:24:57

Hi Bob, hope all is well. Are you going to be in TN this year? I hear you on the Faro situation. I saw Faro at a Job Shop Show and had a look at what their $10,000.00 software did which was hardly more than the interface with Surfcam did and that gave me 2axis machining to boot for about $4,500.00. The poor demo guy did not have much to say when I pointed this out but perhaps that is why Faro does not make it available to you. Lathe is long in coming and has cost a lot of sales for VX so I am glad to see it on the horizon. Have a good fourth.

bobf4fun — 2009-07-02 14:52:39

Hi Dave, We're at least a year away from releasing a simple turning package so please don't dump the other product yet. Faro... that's not an easy answer. We've tried to source their SDK without success. Anyway, we'll keep trying... have a great 4th

cutter — 2009-06-23 07:20:21

Thanks Chris. Sheet metal is a different world than mold and die for sure but seems to be a part of 90% plus of what I design for my customers. Does that qualify me as a product designer? It will be nice to see lathe finally as this has been talked about for years and would allow me to almost get rid of my old seat of surfcam. The thing that would really allow me to dump surfcam would be for VX to port the Faroarm in but I don't think that is going to happen.

ChrisW — 2009-06-22 09:52:24

Hello cutter Welcome back! Work has been done on lathe, and also wire EDM, but I do not know when they will make their first appearance in the product. VX is popular with the Product Designers too you know. Sheet metal work is specialist, our module is only intended to serve the mechanical engineer that has basic rectilinear designs to cater for.

cutter — 2009-06-22 08:52:45

And now back to the main topic. I bit the bullet and renewed last week and so far I can say I am very pleased with this release. After all the pre release hoopla and promises I must admit this is what I had hoped to see in V13. By far the best effort since V9 [and including V9 here in this] and I hope VX is rewarded with increased sales. As VX is primarily mold and die and not MCAD it still falls flat on it's face with the sheet metal section [ really bad here ] and routing but as for the rest it appears much improved. It is nice to use the post provided and not have to wait for a post to be made for my rare and unusual HaasVF3. At this point in time I consider it money well spent. Now for the magical cam question. Is VX eeeeeeeeever going to include lathes? Number one killer for most companies looking as they want both in one package and I can't begin to imagine how many sales this has cost VX.

mudcrab — 2009-06-02 01:17:29

Hi Chris and others, as was noted this is the MOST hijacked thread. I could say more about hijackings but wont. Totally agree that VX is the topic. AND totally agree that the moderator is awesome and allows for genuine sentiment to be written and visible to all. Thankyou. The issue for me is truthfulness and my comments are directed at the loss of that objectivity when PC constraints are applied. That's all. Your challenge is to moderate a small number of extremists who have been attracted to VX! Bonne Chance Guid Luck Buena Suerte #40G8!

ChrisW — 2009-05-29 18:05:27

Hi Paul, cutter I'm sorry but this is a forum for the discussion of VX and the sharing of knowledge, techniques, opinions, engineering nous et al. I think we should all be able to do that without making comments that offend people. Remember that VX has customers worldwide -a diversity of race, cultures and beliefs. It's not about being "PC", it's about being fair to all, including the very large audience of VX'ers who visit the forum regularly but choose not to contribute to the threads. It is my job to moderate and you won't find many moderators that have such a hands-off approach on a commercial forum - I have seen plenty of other forums where the slightest criticism of the product is swiftly removed. That does not happen here.

mudcrab — 2009-05-29 15:36:09

Good joke Chris? Clean for sure... Politically correct? Are you serious? If it needs to be said, forget the PC. PC is a paradox, a croc, a lie, a way of controlling freedom of speech and the debate that encourages full and informed decision making. It eliminates history as a teacher. I am sick of the bias and self righteousness that makes PC promoters dictate the rules as to what is OK to critique and what is not. PC is a bigotry in it's own right, it imposes a selective value set as a filter for what can be discussed. Why, so that those folks don't have to answer the hard questions. In a word, it is "dung". I aint' goin' there. Have a great weekend.

ChrisW — 2009-05-29 03:53:09

Hello Chaps A little bit of cheerful banter is good for your health, it's welcome here Please keep your comments clean and non-political.

mudcrab — 2009-05-28 18:51:20

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We are going for the record here at the VX forums for the most hijacked thread but thats allright as everyone knows we are here.

Or is too damn scared to say so! Cheers

mudcrab — 2009-05-26 15:54:44

OK, add alligator and manatee to the cassowary. True FLORIDIAN natives as understand it.... Well done Mike, I am sure I'd be lost....

LynchMikeVX — 2009-05-26 15:07:45

Paul, The only reason I asked about your native language is the fact you said it took you years to get a handle on English. I myself am not a native floridian but have picked up the language very quickly. That again is a joke... ( I guess I will never live that down)

ChrisW — 2009-05-26 05:04:54

Hi cutter...I don't think anybody will want to be interfering!

cutter — 2009-05-26 01:48:47

Paul, as you can see I believe in cross grazing also and my "sheep" don't need shearing either. The 12 guage pump is for close to the house. The 308 is for the front deck if I have to take a shot across the street or just want to mess with the occasional hornets nest. The 44 magnum is for climbing up the hills and hunting where it does quite well for deer if I do my job right. The 22 or 223 is for ground hogs or winged vermin who think they have first rights to my produce. I have allways said it will be time to move when I cant go out on my front deck with a cup of coffee and a rifle and do what I want without interference.

mudcrab — 2009-05-25 18:15:32

One question Dave, Just wondering, is that a Version 12 pipe? Idle curiosity really.

mudcrab — 2009-05-25 18:12:23

Hi Dave, the principal role of our sheep is to eat grass. They cross graze with horses so that we don't end up with a big weed problem and sour paddocks. The secondary role is to provide meat for the larder. No shrink wrap here! Now Reg here, has the job of making sure we have young'uns each year. In particular this breed does not need to be shorn. e.g low maintenance. He is currently still on the trailer (and a bit grubby for it)so I can feed him and get him used to being handled a bit. We have a way to go! Being the hormone charged critter he is, he needs moderating otherwise he poses a health risk to anyone going into the paddock at certain times of the year. Although I suspect any 'taming' effort will not be truly effective at this stage of his life. I provide two photos since I couldn't decide which was the nicest. Typical designer dilema. Now in your Turkey pic, I understand you are holding a peace pipe and having a bit of quiet meditation. Sort of Francis of Assisi like.... hence the birds. What a great life eh. Only in Virginia Cheers

cutter — 2009-05-25 12:51:10

I have to admit I am a little confused here. You ARE raising sheep for pets are you not? Generally if I am looking for meat on the table I just stop off on my commute between shop and home and let the free range critters walk up. Seems to be a lot easier that way. I have 14.1 Mike and after PLM World next week where I will be part of the staff for the event and other things die down I will have a serious look.

mudcrab — 2009-05-24 01:18:14

Hi Mike, hmmmm, never been asked that question before.... makes me wonder. As a New Zealander or K1W1, it is officially English however the native language is Maori just as your native language is Comanche, Sioux or Blackfoot. However that is more English than Americish. Colour instead of color. AND we would NEVER explain a joke. Sheep would simply be in the glossary. FYI I purchased a young polled Wiltshire Ram yesterday. His name is Reg. He has an attitude problem so over the next few days I will be trying to get him interested in eating a sheep nuts which are a processed feed, The idea is to get him addicted so he is a bit friendly and maybe even follow us around when we have the black bucket. I will post a picture (ram not bucket) soon. Cheers

LynchMikeVX — 2009-05-23 14:40:57

Correction: If you search the Glossary you will find sheep. (This is a special entry for forum users.) I want to ask all of you to submit to me any HELP reference that you find are missing or you feel need a tune-up. As John has said we are responsive to our users. Chris and I take pride in our support. But we are just the liasons to the customers. The entire company is on the same page. The new HELP allows us another avenue to show our responsivness. Paul, what is your native language? Dave, BTW 14.01 is released. Gentlemen (and Ladies) start your engines.

cutter — 2009-05-19 07:54:48

Thanks John for an insightfull answer. I know I will have 30 to short days to play with VX soon but the thoughts from someone actualy using it in production is of great interest. I know you will have delved into things I will not have time to.

mudcrab — 2009-05-18 16:59:10

Hi Guys, I have commented previously that I really like the explanatory diagrams included with the commands. Maybe the diagram and the graphic will merge in due course. I also like the online Help in V14 and think this a brilliant move forward, most especially the ability to comment on it's content so that in due course the 'forum' for users questions AND the answers will end up attached to the relevant commands and readily found rather than lost in the obscurity of 'last posts'. Help needs lots more examples of how the commands are applied so this will come with the interactive approach as the hot spots are identified. I have recently commented in the online help that replacing text buttons with ICONS is a retrograde step. It took me years to get a handle on English!. I just do not need to learn a new language. Text is direct and no doubt easy to update for different languages via a library. I expect it is a much bigger job interpreting the help tips Needed for use with ICONS. And like John, I also really appreciate the very open attititude VX has towards problems, ideas etc. AND the rapid response to problems. Big thanks to Chris W for my part. Great to hear that CAM is back on top. (I am not a CAM user). Also ggod to see a bit more dialogue. Cheers

bottlecad — 2009-05-18 16:11:32

Hello Cutter, I have had VX for threee years now and until now have not been able to implement it for production. We manufacture moulds for the glass container industry making many models and machining them. Hundreds of models and thousands of programs. When I approached VX I need functionality that did not exist in VX. The first was a curve wrap funtion, which now exists in VX. The second was direct surface machining, now included as U-V machining as a strip. Both of these were added in the late versions of V11 and early versions of V12. All were broken in V13 and took until the end of V13 releases to get fixed. With V14 everything is again working well. I see major improvement in 3D geometry creation. I think the setup sheet is much improved. So as soon as get some time I am sure we will finally implement VX for our production. The reason for the long history lesson was to explain what I consider is VX's biggest selling point , change. I have used 3d CAD/CAM systems since 1989 and have found it nearly impossible to actually get a change to the software. I have used Strim since 1991, which is no loger sold, but is the code behind Catia V5. The curve wrap feature is built into Strim, but in Catia V5 it is sold as a seperate module, VX free. I do a lot of 3d machining with my tool on a different axis using tool center, while it is not impossible to do this in VX, it is tough. When engraving and without a support surface the tool retracts go to the clearance plane, where I would prefer a user defined distance. So I guess my comment to you is I know we all complain about the lack of features, menus and functionality. If we already had the perfect system we wouldn't be looking for it. While I think VX still needs improvement, VX can and will change for the "users". The software I bought three years ago is much improved today and I know I played a small part in that. I can't say that about the other five CAD systems. That maintanence fee gives you that imput and is a pretty small price for real change. I have appreciated the user imput to the forum and watch in constantly. I would be more active if I was using VX everyday. I did want to give you a little different view to the value of VX. John

ChrisW — 2009-05-18 04:49:11

Hello Chaps I don't think any software company can excuse a difficult-to-use GUI by simply having more functionality. We are proud of our GUI but we are not resting on our laurels. It isn't perfect. In particular, VX CAM offers a lot of options and customer feedback has told us that whilst the flexibility is good, the GUI is hard work. v14 introduces our first method of attacking that problem, introducing an explanatory image on the forms - select an option, a diagram shows exactly what it does (similar idea introduced for CAD too). When we improved the cutter tool library (extra tool types, real-world dimensions), we took the time to improve the tool attributes form as well. By virtue of the fact that Help cannot be written until the command has been defined and QA tested, help manuals are always well behind the software (chicken and egg situation Paul, so now we have sheep, fish and chickens sorted out on the forum....). We have tackled that problem too, by building the help pages into a dedicated web site. You can optionally have the VX help linked to the website live-update version, such that, when you click on Help in VX, you view the very latest info on the web (but it currently lacks info about sheep, fish and chickens).

cutter — 2009-05-18 02:58:50

Hi Paul, Yes the interface in VX is a wonderfull thing compared to the ribbon bar mess so many companies seem to love just because Microsoft says they should. Not one ribbon bar implementation has been met with good reviews by users but then that seems to not matter so much in many cases as much as "new and improved" mattered to the marketing gurus who do not use it. What I use now has a very complex GUI compared with VX but then there are a lot of additional things for MCAD there to so it does have to be that way. Being involved with more types of software gives one an appreciation for a well thought out GIU. While the support guys may say that 90% of the problems are behing the keyboard I am willing to dispute that when you add in poorly conceived GUI's and meager always behind user manuals. Eventualy one does learn the program well and eliminates the "keyboard factor" just in time for the next NEW and BIG BIG BIG improvements which of course take an experienced user and put him behind the keyboard as a source of 90% of the problems again. Not quite a fair statement in my book. VX has done the right thing with their GUI and the correct way to do it is to add new features without changing the basic icons and layouts.

mudcrab — 2009-05-17 22:02:30

Hi Dave, got to give you some moral support here. At the intro FEA course I just did, the tutor commented that at least 90% of all problems where with the tool[sic] on the end of the keyboard. I'll bet the support guys for any software will agree with that. FYI. The software used in the course was Catias' Simula. I am sure it can do almost anything you want but the interface was arcane. If you didn't know the program in detail you where very likely to simply get lost. So sounds to me that the interface on VX is a lot closer to the right place than some others out there. Cheers

cutter — 2009-05-16 13:04:45

Thanks Chris. You did answer one of my major questions perhaps in that it could be setups at my end that caused the air cutting and not the fault of VX toolpaths.

chris — 2009-05-16 10:43:41

I am very sorry that my response was not detailed enough. I am not a computer geek I use VX for design and I program for NC mills and a laser. I have been on CAD and programing machines since the days that we wrote programs by hand using a desk top calculator that the most advanced function was square root. The VX NC in V14 has done everything that I want, if you are cutting a lot of air it is because the set up is wrong. The stock and bounding curves are what causes a lot of air cutting. I do not know what type of programming you do but mine is one of a kind tooling. We use it and then thats it never used again, so I do not spend lots of time getting a program perfect in regard to lost time. My opinion of VX cam is high because it is so easy to use and so far has cut everything I have thrown at it. Chris W and Mike Lynch have always helped and have been most honest. They can tell you what has changed and explain how to best use it. I cannot, I just know it works for me. Chris Stahler Allegheny CAD Solutions,inc.

cutter — 2009-05-14 16:21:33

Chris, Mike recommended that I wait for 14.01 as there are evidently some changes. When that comes out I will try it and see what kind of a deal they will make me if I like what I see. I had hoped for feedback as 30 days seems to be a lot of time until you get it and then you get busy and before you know it the time has passed and you still did not check it all out. But at least my hot button issues will be no problem to verify as I know exactly where to go for those. Pleased to see the increased amount of VX ads as I run across them pretty often now. I know you frequent the forum regularly but I was unaware that others outside of Mike and occasionaly Bob [ who is not support afterall as he checks in to see whats going on. ] were ever on the forum.

ChrisW — 2009-05-14 14:12:07

Hello cutter We do support outside business hours by virtue of the fact that VX Tech Support people are in different time zones around the world. The way demand ebbs and flows has the greatest impact in support response times. I hope other customers can find time to respond to your questions. Did you get that 30-day license to try v14 for yourself?

cutter — 2009-05-14 12:46:21

Hey guys I am going to ask one more time for detailed feedback RE 14. I was really hoping for a bigger response than the one to date. I know Paul likes the cad side and he is the only one to give me details as to why. I need to hear from some users of the cad and cam especially. If it was your question you would hope for answers to wouldn't you? A forum can be a valuable tool for all involved but to make it that way you have to participate. I belong to an active forum on another site and I can tell all the VX users who care to listen that you are missing valuable information from other users who have had to deal with the headache you have today before and they along with the support guys who come here can get you going. Up early today with cad problems and posted questions and a file and had answers by 6 in the morning from Australia and Italy. Support from a company alone can't do this because they operate by business hours only. So you could wait till Monday, or tomorrow for support, look in the always incomplete manuals or you could help to start making this forum a valuable resource by attending and posting regularly and it can become your best source of after hours help. It will only work with volunteers so are you one or do you just use the stuff and could care less. It will take a while to get the ball rolling here but with persistance it will work if you do.

LynchMikeVX — 2009-04-29 13:40:23

VX does have a requirement when the developer is closing an ENHANCEMENT that he/she has to provide the User Access and User Impact. (Where do I find the new command and what does it do) I periodically try to look through this section and rewrite in English. The enhancement area should give customers a very good idea of the new capabilities added in that release. As Chris so eloquently stated, no software vendor wants to air their dirty laundry to the general public. Some of the enhancements are things that maybe we should have had a long time ago. Espionage is alive and well in the CAD/CAM business. I doubt whether we should even include the FIXES because from a one line short description of a bug you nor I know exactly what was fixed. That is why when a PCR is written in reaction to a customer complaint we usually add the customers email address to the report so they will automatically get an email every time the report is updated. Though I am sure it is comforting to some to know the volume of work that goes into each release. Plus we use that list as one avenue of testing.

ChrisW — 2009-04-25 06:46:35

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So why are Release notes specifically for customers?

The Release notes tell customers what is new and what is fixed - a brief about the nitty gritty. So, your new VX is everything you have got now, plus. If you are not an existing customer, you want to know a whole lot more about what is already there.

mudcrab — 2009-04-24 20:55:02

Hi Chris, tongue in cheek. A blend of serious and fun off[sic] course. Still think the " High lights is as I described --- headings." It could inform in more detail with a paragraph or so of explanation per item and more where this is merited. Staff familiarity with the product should not be assumed of everyone else. When new features are provided, I should be able to read and learn enough about them in one place to be able to expect to use them. Happy to read the detail in the Help for the real details. So it's more of a requirement to know what, where and how and see enough examples to figure yes I can use that. So why are Release notes specifically for customers? Stealing ideas is going to happen anyway its part of life. Only a timing issue in reality. VX got any ideas that came form anywhere else? Sheep. fish.... hmmmm. Cheers

ChrisW — 2009-04-24 18:56:32

Hello Mudcrab Given the circumstances of the World these days, I'm sure the occasional comical banter is welcomed by most. Dave (cutter) is specifically seeking the opinions of VX v14 customers. That is why I and the other VX staff have not gate-crashed into the discussion with our views about the software - they would rightly be seen as biased. The Chris that Dave has addressed specific questions to is not me (Chris Ward (Moderator)). The Release Notes are specifically for VX customers - they already know what they have got (at least, some of them do...). Customers and prospective customers alike can glean more information from the VX Website, which is far more informative than many: http://www.vx.com/vx2009_highlights.cfm

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I don't have to give my name to enter a shop to look around, why should I to investigate software?

You might be a big fish competitor trying to steal our ideas!

mudcrab — 2009-04-24 18:00:56

Dear Moderator, could you please remove all reference to sheep (except this one) in this Discussion. It does seem to be considerably off topic and detracts from the genuine concerns and requests for information that Dave has so politely requested. FYI: I have found one website that is very open and informative about what is new in its's releases. Rather than being glib providing just a list of headings, it explains them and provides screen shot examples. In the instance I am linking here, Whats New in TFlex, it is the manner of the information, not he content that is on display. Off course, one needs to know what exists for this to make total sense. Much of what in on the example page is has been 'normal' for VX for a while, so comparison is difficult. This is the challenge for New/Prospective users to figure out. My observation is that larger vendors are more secretive in their presentation of information. Having to register to see detail is baloney. I don't have to give my name to enter a shop to look around, why should I to investigate software? What does annoy is 3d models rendered in 3rd party software. OK to have section for them, but not as the main gallery. It just aint honest. So, if VX had a Whats New page with a full disclosure, perhaps the programmer/s doing the particular work should produce the images and text explaining the enhancement as part of the project, then Daves questions would largely be answered.... maybe. Cheers

LynchMikeVX — 2009-04-24 15:00:17

Dave, ChrisW and I agree you should definitely update your maintenance. Not that we are prejudice or anything. We have boat payments. Did you see the extensive list of improvements under the Release Notes?

cutter — 2009-04-24 13:14:42

Chris, interested in your reply to my specific questions RE vx if you have the time. Or anyone else to please do chime in as your feedback is important . Thanks, Dave

mudcrab — 2009-04-23 22:14:00

Sheepers creepers Chris! that explains a LOT!........................ You should start up a fencing supplies business. Unfortunately electric fences do not stop the little pasture maggots, so it'll have to be wire , staples and posts. (not forum posts, although I am sure you have enough of those to set up a small empire.)

ChrisW — 2009-04-23 21:09:44

Hi mudcrab yes I was These days Shawn has his own show, which illustrates the power of the meeting........ Things are a bit different here in my part of Wales, the sheep definitely are in charge. You can use the roads, but only when the sheep decide to let you through!

mudcrab — 2009-04-23 16:51:12

Chris, are you referring to Wallace and Grommet????????? I was talking about USER groups not USED Groups. Sheep do not run the farm, they run ON the farm. However , the subject for both meetings is the same - the grass is ALWAYS greener in the neighbouring paddock. Cheers

cutter — 2009-04-23 11:33:59

Thanks Mike

LynchMikeVX — 2009-04-23 09:36:45

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Mike, when you say end to end is the cam enabled here to?

Dave, Your end to end license has Cam. It does not include 5-axis. That is an additional purchase. That is different then downloading the 30 day license from our website. That will give you an Innovator license which is an entry level tool. Just send an email to passwords

ChrisW — 2009-04-22 18:45:36

....Never mind the farmers getting together, the sheep are having their own meetings (according to Shaun)

mudcrab — 2009-04-22 17:11:50

I am planning on meeting with the first guy in this country to buy Solid Works years ago. So the longest users of SW and VX in New Zealand will meet and have a chat. Why? Because we know each other and I want to talk CAD with someone who knows their stuff. I will be interested to hear his gripes about SW and hopefully be encouraged that VX is a good place to be. To discuss what we enjoy doing and hear about each others projects, challenges etc. It is not all technical. it's a human interaction thing. Many operators are isolated - how many are in multi designer/user environments. It's not everyone's cup of tea/coffee and there is a time and travel cost. Re your builder buddy. If his industry is changing technology he would need to be somehow engaged in learning. He also had a 4 yr + apprenticeship and will work with other builders daily or at least occasionally. He will also meet and see other builders at various places and have a group of building mates. He is already in a user group of sorts. In this country we have a huge farming industry. Same cows, sheep grass etc as they have for years. But almost all farmer are engaged in localised 'user' groups that meet to discuss issues, new technology etc. 3 to 6 times per year. I just love seeing how other people do stuff so I can learn from that. Chris, I wonder if you are referring to my models re surplus geometry??? So the idea is sound. VX resellers should be encouraged to encourage them. But it is up to users to do it.

ChrisW — 2009-04-22 14:34:28

I think it would benefit everybody if there were more User Groups, CAD CAM is sophisticated and no matter how easy to use we make each command, the overall efficiency of use will depend on how a task is approached. I see customer files every day where people have defined a huge amount of unnecessary geometry that probably was necessary in the application they used previously. A User Group can bring together people of different industries, so not only is CAD CAM knowledge shared but engineering techniques and methods too. There is a barrier to the idea of User Groups though - a perception that they are simply a dry, boring meeting of little value. A friend of mine once said "CAD User Group? If I were a carpenter, would I join a club for chisels and screwdrivers?". Another thing is that everybody is so busy - if you are putting in 12 hour shifts everyday, may be you don't have the time or the energy. So, this forum should be a good compromise and sometimes it proves to be so.

cutter — 2009-04-22 14:12:07

Mike, when you say end to end is the cam enabled here to? For some reason I thought just cad was. I think a user network is pivotal to establishing interest in the forum and the product. VX has the names of all current and past users and should canvas active users in each area, where you have a large enough group within a specific mile radius of say perhaps 60 miles, and find volunteers to start user groups which should then generate interest in other areas like the forum. I think until users know there are other users in the general area they feel like lone rangers and so go on their own way with out thoughts of a community. There are a number of potential benefits to VX and users here and it costs next to nothing to do with volunteers and your mailing lists. Think SWX here for the benefits accrued to all involved.

mudcrab — 2009-04-21 17:13:04

Thanks for the heads up Mike. Makes good sense to me. And Bob, thats cool too. We all have that problem form time to time - and longer. Cheers

LynchMikeVX — 2009-04-21 14:27:38

Dave, I am not sure how to get people active on the forum. I guess everyone is too busy. You can get a 30 day license for your End-to-End bundle and check it out for yourself. Just send an email to passwords@vx.com Because of the changes I have seen going into the product and because it is so close to being released, I would wait until 14.01 to start your 30 days. You can check support.vx.com for the 14.01 release notes.

bobf4fun — 2009-04-21 07:39:13

I haven't, I'm just swamped

mudcrab — 2009-04-20 18:13:07

Hi DAVE, haven't you got your password yet????

Quote
Hey Dave, We'll release Version 14 in March 2009 and I will ensure that you get a password. Please keep us on your list. I've always appreciated your honesty and feedback. bobf

Maybe Bob has lost your email address? Cheers

cutter — 2009-04-20 12:20:23

Thanks for the reply Chris. Biggest questions on cam center around 2d and has it become easier to use. Also what are the additions to the tool library over v13. You mention toolpaths look better. perhaps I was not setting things up right at times but it seemed that I cut a lot of air at times so do you find the new paths more exact in this area? How do you find the NC file sizes in general, have they gotten smaller? You mention less input here so does this mean that parameters for specific cam plans are now more intuitive and easier to figure out for geometry selection to include into a cam plan to get it to work? How reliable are the translators especialy the Parasolids and DWG's if you use them? Thanks for your time, Dave

chris — 2009-04-20 08:25:50

I like the V14. cam is a bit different from what i see. The cutter path looks better and less input is required. I'm not a big fan of fully automatic program generation but I guess it is the thing now. I have not had a problem with it yet. The design part has more icons now so you do not need to know where everything is, good for new users. The feature I like the most is the ability to make an AVI out of an animation. The ones I have done have got very positive reviews from customers and web designers. Any specific questions? Chris Allegheny CAD Solutions, inc.

cutter — 2009-04-10 13:18:50

Anybody, somebody? No opinions?