My CAD software of choice is Rhino3D. My favorite CAM software is RhinoCAM. Now, the names might be close but the company offering CAM software is different than the CAD software company. It’s MecSoft, where Rhino3D comes from McNeel.

Now that we got that confusion out of the way, let me explain a few details. If you’re already using Rhino3D, the best way to go with CAM software is to get RhinoCAM because it’s just a plugin for Rhino. Makes setting up machine routines a piece of cake because you do it inside your CAD program. But, if you’re not a Rhino3D user, that’s okay, too. Mecsoft makes a freestanding verison called VisualCAM. Which means you can use whatever CAD program you’re already using and export the file to open up in VisualCAM. Once there, you setup your machine operations just like I do. Works great. So, if you’re using another CAD program (Fusion360, other Autodesk products, TurboCAD, whatever) this is the soluton for you.

The reason I bring all this up, is Mecsoft is having a great sale on their entry level CAM software package called Xpress. Rather that $595, they’re selling it for $299 until December 16th. That’s a great deal. And, it’s a perpetual license so you don’t have to annually subscribe, unless you want upgrades. You can get this in the freestanding version, the Rhino version and a verison that plugs into SolidWorks.

Mecsoft’s Sale

Mecsoft makes CAM packages for machining all kinds of fancy things up to $10k in price, but I can tell you that for Digital Woodworkers the Xpress package gets you where you need to go for $299. You get the 2.5D routines you really need the basics routines for 3D carving. I’ve done a lot of 3D carving and most of the time I use just the basic routines included with the $299 Express package. And, should you get ambitious and want a fancier version, you just pay the difference.

Bonus: The Xpress package includes Mecsoft’s very good Nesting program.

So, who is VisualCAM or RhinoCAM Xpress for? Well, unless you’re already using fancy 3D CAM routines available in say, Aspire, you might want to have a look at VisualCAM. Particularly if you’re using Fusion360, VCarve, TurboCAD, Autodesk products or using the very limited software available for the Shapeoko this is a major CAM improvement . It’s great CAM software with more than excellent support.

Great sale. Go for it. Mecsoft’s Sale.

PS. Tell them I sent you. I’m not a shill. just a fan of their great software.

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And, I apologize for the poor video quality. Limited bandwidth options where I live makes broadcasts challenging. Next time I’ll try another connection method.

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On Sunday July 19th, I held a Live Sunday Workshop via Zoom. The topic was about the parametric plywood bench that was featured in the December 2019 issue of Popular Woodworking magazine. I showed how to vary the design and several methods to construct it. Speaking of which, above is a link to the recording on my YouTube Channel.

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The plans for the bench are available on this site to registered users.

If a question that comes up during the workshop, just use the chat function in Zoom and I’ll do my best to answer it live. I may have a few questions of my own, too and will send out polls during the event. 

See you at the next Sunday Workshop.

To join the workshop, at the time of the meeting click the link below.

July 19th Sunday Workshop

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84988257618?pwd=SzFjMFRZcHFKaGg2b2UvUVlzRkxrdz09

Meeting ID: 849 8825 7618   Password: 809577

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On Sunday June 14th I held a Live Sunday Workshop via Zoom. The topic was about how I design a modern hall table in CAD and how to setup your CNC to machine it. On the next workshop on June 21st, I’ll show you how to convert the 2D furniture into 3D carved furniture. Lots to see! Speaking of which, here’s a link to the recording on my YouTube Channel… youtube.com/digitalwoodworking.

June 14th, Live Sunday Workshop 2D Furniture

https://youtu.be/oPzfCgXYbKg

See you at the next Sunday Workshop on June 21st.

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On June 21st, I’ll follow up and take the previous week’s 2.5D design and make it into a 3D CNC carved design using a couple of simple 3D CAD techniques. And, how to machine it, of course. Plus… Well, let’s just say that I’ll give you something to consider regarding future furniture design using the power of digital woodworking tools.

If a question that comes up during the workshop, just use the chat function in Zoom and I’ll do my best to answer it live. I may have a few questions of my own, too and will send out polls during the event. 

See you at the next TWO Sunday Workshops. Part one is 2D design and machining. Part two is 3D design and machining.

To join the workshop, at the time of the meeting click the links below.

June 14th Sunday Workshop PART ONE

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84819051001?pwd=c0oxcHhMVHcxSDlCbzNmMmNkQVRiQT09

Meeting ID: 8848 1905 1001   Password: 239927

June 21st Sunday Workshop PART TWO

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83477019799?pwd=aG5UVTZVU2ZPa01QK3cvRzkwbS9adz09

Meeting ID: 834 7701 9799   Password: 299007

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On Sunday May 31st I held a Live Sunday Workshop via Zoom. The topic was an open Q & A. After receiving and answering a number of questions on the topic of Digital Woodworking before the event I turned to take live questions. Lots of stuff to see! Speaking of which, here’s a link to the recording on my YouTube Channel… youtube.com/digitalwoodworking.

May 31st, Live Sunday Workshop

https://youtu.be/LdEPnLANBVk

See you at the next Sunday Workshop on June 14th.

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Okay it’s time. Previous workshops have been filled up, I rarely leave time fAfter 4 Live Sunday Workshops, it’s time for an open Q and A. I’ve been doing a lot of talking that last forr workshops, leaving little time at the end for questions. Now, it’s your turn. On the May 31st workshop, I’m opening up the workshop for questions, advice and quick demos. So that I can come prepared, if you already have questions you’d like to ask, email ahead of time to me at workshops@woodworking.digital.  If it’s something complicated or a process or technique or a demo you’d like to see, email questions ahead of time so I can be ready to show it during the workshop.  But, no worries. If a question that comes up during the workshop, that’s okay, too. Just use the chat function in Zoom and I’ll do my best to answer it live. I may have a few questions of my own, too and will send out polls during the event. 

See you at the next Sunday Workshop.

To join the workshop, at the time of the meeting click the link below.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81959653414?pwd=SFl5MnVZejZHMVNVSTkvbGsxbWMrdz09

Meeting ID: 819 5965 3414   Password: 350891

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