TurboCam from the makers of TurboCad

[David Fisk]

I just got an email offer from IMSI for there new TurboCam software. I remember Ted Hall saying that he would like to integrate Turbocad with the shopbot, in someway but that IMSI kept changing the scripting language. Is there still any plan on supporting this new TurboCam product? Or possibly doing a bulk purchase and reselling to shopbotters?

I found TurboCad very user friendly and I'm hoping the Cam version will also be. I'm going to try there demo version, but I can't afford to shell out $500.00 for the new release.

[gerald_d]

Hi David

It looks like the name TurboCam has long been taken by somebody other than IMSI and that IMSI's product is called TurboCADCAM. See this link. (http://www.turbocadtoday.com/)

A better link was found here (http://www.tenlinks.com/News/PR/IMSI/031802_cam.htm) - but where did you get the "bargain" $500 offer when it seems as if the list price is $2000? Maybe the whole CAD+CAM bundle is $2000 while the introductory package on the CAM side alone is being offered to selected customers at $500?

[David Fisk]

I recieve regular offers directly from IMSI since I'm on their email list. The offer doesn't seem to specify it as being Cam only. In the offer they have the regular retail price at $1000.00 so maybe they lowered the price.

[paulncc@bellsouth.net]

Gerald

Take a look at: http://www.turbocadcam.com/special/art1/

Its listed here for $495.00

[srwtlc]

Here's a link to the forum for TurboCadCam. http://www.imsisoft.com/forums/index.cfm?CFApp=250

Just found out that in its current state it cannot do V-carving, bummer.

[geobre@aol.com]

Will this generate shopbot code?
I have always liked turbo cad and would it would be great to have an integrated package. Just checked out the tutorial. Seems simple and easy to follow

[gerald_d]

Thanks to the 2 SB'ers who passed on the e-mails to me.

George, from this link (http://www.imsisoft.com/forums/index.cfm?CFApp=250), and the tutorials (http://www.turbocadcam.com/tutorials/) which follow, it most certainly generates G-code. SB-code is unlikely at this early stage of TurboCADCAM.

Would it handle V-bits and U-Bits for pocketing out letters or making complex surfaces? Especially to cut out unlimited amounts of true-type text?

[gerald_d]

Those TurboCADCAM tutorials (http://www.turbocadcam.com/tutorials/) are really amazing! I have just spent an hour on my slow dial-up modem and found that they load really fast and are packed with info. In the bottom right corner there is a strip of controls for fast-forward, rewind, play, stop, etc.

V-bits and U-bits are listed in the default tool choices. "Custom" code is possible. Still wondering about text with V-bits, and surface roughness will U-bits, . . . . . . . . . ?

(And another intriguing thing for me was the i-button for info, and to see that a certain "Mauritz Botha" had written the tutorials in a clear English that is easily understood here in South Africa . . . . )

[David Fisk]

Are their any official ShopBot plans to support this CadCam software?

[Ted Hall, ShopBot Tools]

Hi David,

Like you, we're interested in checking out the new TurboCAD CAM package. It is potentially quite interesting. We were pretty friendly with IMSI at one point. They even had a ShopBot demo at the unveiling of TurboCAD 6. We have been encouraging them along these lines for years.

It's hard to beat TurboCAD for the money and it will be interesting to have a look at the CAM functionality they've created. They knew we were interested, but did not send us an early version. So we're checking it out now like everyone else.

[sheldon@dingwallguitars.com]

I got my TurboCADCAM evaluation copy today. Has anyone worked up a post for it yet, or is the best way to output G code and use the shopbot converter (which I've never used).

[osvsystems]

I own a license for TurboCAD 8.1 Pro and received the same $500 offer for TurboCADCAM that Mr. David Fisk mentioned receiving. This was around the time that IMSI first released TurboCADCAM. I should have bought it at $500 when I had the chance. I'm sure that the increased interest in the product has driven the price up now.
I've recently become involved with a company that operates a Shopbot and is interested in coupling TurboCADCAM with Shopbot. Any success stories would be appreciated.

[itoolfred]

I just got an upgrade notice to TurboCad 10.2 and supposedly the purchase price for the pro version which is said to include TurboCadCam is $199. I haven't had time to evaluate the free download of 10.2 but their web page says TurboCadCam is included. Anyone else tried 10.2 pro and does it have TurboCadCam included?

[olecrafty]

Fred,

I have version 10.2 and it does not include Turbocam. You have to spend another $900.00 to get the cam product. I recieved a full Turbocad package for the $200.00 upgrade price not just an upgrade. Don't know if it was an oops or if all packages will be sent that way.

Kaiwa
olecrafty@charter.net (mailto:olecrafty@charter.net)

[dmdraper]

Turbo CAD/CAM is a plugin to TurboCad. $900.00 is the suggested retail, but based on their pricing for other products, it should be available to TurboCAD users for considerably less than that. I have been told by IMSI in a phone call last week that scripting to produce output for machines not listed in their post processor list (ShopBot is not) is possible and not that difficult. I'm looking into this further and will post an update.

[artisan]

I used TurboCad often when I first started doing CNC work. It was cheap and capable and a virtual swiss army knife of a CAD program. I seldom use it now.... I'm not exactly sure why....I've just gotten used to other more advanced programs, though TurboCad keeps reinventing itself...literally... and keeps adding features.

One of the strange quirks of the company, is that when you buy an upgrade, you get a full blown package instead. Often, parts of the earlier versions of TC are not compatible with the new, so they apparently just ship a whole new version rather than worry with the transition problems. This is a bit alarming to me personally. The company seems to be prosperring with TC and Stuffit as their main cash cows, but, they lack the serious dedication of other Cad companies and concentrate more on buying their technology and repackaging it than on development. At least this has been my perception so far.

Those of you wishing to try TurboCadCam and purchase it at a better price should visit Andrew Werby's site....Computersculpture dot com. TurboCadCam is currently priced at 450.00 there and he has many other deals of interest....D