ArtCam Pro or Aspire? What would you do?

[bryan]

Ok I’m a somewhat crazy woodworking hobbyist that has a shop with every tool a woodworker would want, I do some paying projects but most of them are for me or gifts that keep getting me more paying projects without trying to. My pride and joy is the Shopbot PRT that I started out with Partworks back in 2003 since then I moved up to ArtCam Insignia in 2007, now I want some input from the forum on what you would do, I’ve been doing a lot of V carving and 3D files from www.vectorart3d.com (http://www.vectorart3d.com/), but I want to do more with out having to relay on other folks or companies to tweak these files or create custom files for my projects. I’m thinking of going ahead and stepping up to ArtCam Pro, which would be a major step up but at a large cost, compared to Aspire half the cost of this step up. Everyone is talking about Aspire all the time on here, and I’m wonder which way to go. And don’t say both the other half would hang me out to dry! What would you do?

[garyb]

Bryan, hold on to your hat you've probably started WW3 :)
Since you already have Insignia then the most economical way is to upgrade to the current version of Insignia (2011) which has the 3d building capabilities that your looking for, ($625 from your version) or you could make the full jump to Pro if you need the professional tools it it has to offer.
of course if you upgrade Insignia you can always upgrade to Pro later as well.
Gary

[chiloquinruss]

I have Aspire and I love it. Most of the software that currently comes with a Bot was written by Vectric so learning to use Aspire was very easy for me. I use Aspire so much that if it had a spell checker I would probably write my letters with it! :) I am by no means an Apsire guru and I only use some very small portion of its total capabilities but it works every time and produces good clean code for the Bot. Thats my 2cents worth. I do mostly 2d / 2.5dand some 3d, but I use Aspire more and more each job. I am also a hobby user and NOT a business. Having said that I do side jobs that pays for my hobby and its supplies and services. Aspire is a very large part of that process. Russ

[rcnewcomb]

Download a trial version of each. Try them out. See which fits best for your needs.

[bryan]

Gary, I need to come and talk with you, let me clear up some of to do task and I'll give you a call and arrange a time to visit, I'm only a couple of hours away and have wanted to come to one of your workshops but due to schedule conflicts I’ve not been able too. This upgrade may be all I really need at this time.

[garyb]

No problem Bryan your always welcome
You can also contact me on skype for a sceen share as well
Gary