Carveco's ArtCAM replacement now on sale

[Richard Gonzalez]

Carveco is a new company that bought the rights to ArtCAM software, originally developed by Delcam, which was bought by AutoDesk. Autodesk offered a versions of the software for a couple of years, but took it off the market early last year after having been in existence since 1993.

Carveco’s offering is basically what was ArtCAM Premium, which Autodesk would rent to you for $3000/year.

Carveco is offering for an unspecified “Limited Time” a perpetual license for £1200 (~$1600), including 1 year of support and upgrades.

I have not seen or done a comparison, but I believe it is easily the equivalent of Vectric's Aspire, and has some features that I do not believe Aspire has (including a wizard to handle face profiles from a photograph).

No affiliation, just been interested since I bought a one year subscription to ArtCAM Standard from Autodesk (and was given a perpetual license when Autodesk stopped offering it)

Carveco.com

[David Falkner]

How long before someone does a comparison between Carveco and Aspire, I wonder...?

David

[Gary Campbell]

According to the website, Carveco and the last released version of ArtCAM Pro are equal. IF this turns out to be accurate, then from the machining end, 2D and 3D, the toolset will be much more robust in Carveco. From its inception, Aspire was a subset of ArtCAM Pro's full list of features.

[David Falkner]

I haven't watched any videos yet but just curious, does Carveco generate G-code that I'll run with Mach4? I assume it has a CAM module, as well.

All I've ever used is Fusion 360 where I do CAD/CAM in the same package and then generate G-code for Mach4, so that's where my limited knowledge exists, in the F360 world.

David

[Richard Gonzalez]

Yes, there are hundreds of post processors, including several for mach3-4 (inches,mm, with or without arcs, and with rotary parallel to x or y).

[Brady Watson]

It's for real... IBILD Solutions is now offering full support for CarveCo users and continued support for ArtCAM users. This includes custom video training showing how to setup and machine your 3D scanned part, just like we have been offering for the Vectric suite of software and ArtCAM Pro, since the beginning.

I'm not sure that a comparison video would really tell the whole story. As a user of ArtCAM since v5.5 and Aspire since its inception - they're similar in a lot of ways, but different. I would say that Aspire is probably easier to learn if you aren't already familiar with this type of CAD/CAM. I have a lot of jewelers who use my scanning services that still use ArtCAM (because of the Jewelsmith functionality) - so CarveCo is a real life line for those guys. I also have a lot of 'old' CNC guys who cut their teeth on the DelCAM stuff that still use ArtCAM because they didn't see the need to learn a new program.

As a power user of both programs - they each have their place and both are very capable. Both are fairly unique in the CAD/CAM world since they give you the ability to sculpt your 3D model using voxels (3D pixels) - which allows complete free form control over your model. This lets you retain all of the organic character of your model - including a slip of the chisel or fine surface texture, if that's the artist's intention, without the cold, hard-edged plastic shapes typical of most other CAD programs, like F360 or say Rhino.

The 2-sided functionality in the newer versions of VCP and Aspire and rotary axis operations are very good and easy to set up. The advanced toolpathing options in CarveCo can drastically improve the finish quality of certain types of reliefs. They each bring their own set of tools to the party. I know that probably doesn't offer a whole lot of clarity - but I don't think you can sum it all up in a Chevy vs Ford debate. I also don't think that you necessarily have to chose one over the other...you can use both and there is a lot of cross over between the two with similar hotkeys and general workflow.

FYI - It was a full $9,000 back in 2008 for ArtCAM with ArtREAD and a dongle. CarveCo is $1,600 right now. It's essentially the top version of the last iteration of ArtCAM 2018 Premium with ArtREAD and all the Jewelsmith functionality. For me, it's a steal - and I can keep on supporting my ArtCAM customers going forward. If you're a CNC professional (or CNC junkie) - it's definitely worth having a look.

[David Falkner]

We bought Carveco Saturday so this is all good to know. Now I have to learn how to use it! LOL!

I started going through the ArtCAM Standard tutorials but have only been through the first four - 1.1 to 1.4. I'll probably get to a couple at lunch. Fusion 360 just flows for me and I understand better how it works so I'm going to have an adjustment period with Carveco but am looking forward to the ride. Future questions will certainly arise!

David

[Brad Shipton]

Do you know if there is a post included for shop sabre in Carveco? I have a project that involves a highly detailed model from an artist and my current software has a limitation with the number of triangles in the .stl. This carving will be 31"x21", so I believe the details will show. I am considering an upgrade. The MecSoft trial shows a better result, but this has some nice features for carvings.

[David Falkner]

Do you know if there is a post included for shop sabre in Carveco? I have a project that involves a highly detailed model from an artist and my current software has a limitation with the number of triangles in the .stl. This carving will be 31"x21", so I believe the details will show. I am considering an upgrade. The MecSoft trial shows a better result, but this has some nice features for carvings.

Looks like it does.

Carveco - Shop Sabre Post Processor.jpg

David

[Brad Shipton]

Thanks David. I thought it might, and worst case I could wait for help. Now to decide if I need even more software.

[Richard Gonzalez]

If anyone is interested, there are some Carveco discounts available, PM me and I'll let you know where to find them.