As a Mac user, great to see this video. Just wish these software companies would make Mac versions or online versions. At least there is Easel. Running windows on Max is a fine option, too.
The best CAD/CAM software I've ever used was Schlumberger's Geometric Modeler (GEM) and NC/g (the application used to generate tool paths and cutter location files, which then had to be post-processed to generate G-code) ran on a DEC VAXStation. The second best CAD/CAM software I'd only seen at the International Machine Tool Show (IMTS) in 1992. It was only available for the Mac, and unfortunately the hardware and software combination were far more expensive than lower quality offerings from competitors. The company went under because of low market adoption.
Thank you! Great episode! An additional note about using Windows on a Mac is you must purchase a copy of Windows. I have used VMware as a way to run Windows another great free option.
I’m a Mac user. My path has been: Easel > Carbide Create Pro > Fusion. I agree with your recommendations for the most part: 1. Start with Easel. 2. Upgrade to: ? …. Fusion IMO. It might depend on what you’re doing, but for me, I am getting into metal and 3D printing so Fusion is great. Agree with your learning curve comment though.
I continue to have what I assume are driver issues on my MacBook Pro. I bought a cheap pc to use with my CNC, but after less than a month it was laughably slow… if not laugh then cry. I’ve been a Mac user since 2007 or 2008, back in the XP days - and I can’t remember enough to bother trying to tune it to my needs beyond deleting the preinstalled junk that slows down most pcs. I sent it back. I’m frustrated that I cannot get my Genmitsu 6050 Proverxl running with my Mac. I am past the date I can send it back or I would. I WANT TO PLAY WITH MY TOYS WITHOUT SUCH FRUSTRATION!!!
Thanks for addressing this subject James. Just a note, I put Windows 10 via BootCamp onto quite an old Mac to run Carveco, it worked but couldn't support the 3D view because of graphics limitations.
Boot camp is no longer available on the ARM version of the Mac (i.e., M1, M2, M3). For the M-series Macs, the only option to run Windows is via Parallels. The Parallels application can easily download and install a copy of Windows 11 for ARM, but be aware that this is a beta version.
Bootcamp is no longer supported on ARM chips Macbooks/minis, and even if you are on the latest compatible MacOS software, I think the bootcamp support is probably not as up to date by Apple. If you happen to be able to get an older Mac, that's great I guess... but it's not an alternative to getting a brand new, low power, cheap PC/laptop for your shop and learn how to Windows
Parallels runs Windows as a VM on older Intel Macs as well as Windows runs in Bootcamp. I started running Windows in a VM with VMWare Fusion but tried Parallels at the recommendation of a friend in 2012 and have been using it ever since.
LOL, this is the 21st century, running a windoze emulator on Mac is just ridiculous (and an extra expense if using Parallels) . Your tagline gives the impression to Mac users that this software will run natively on Mac which is a lie, stop doing that. You'd be far better to get the software companies involved to supply native software. /rant
Rant away. I literally list how many pieces of software that run natively on Mac, both control and CAD/CAM, then explain for those wanting Carveco or Vectric how to get them working on a Mac. Nothing deceiving, just explaining to those who don't know. I know why both Vectric and Carveco don't produce a Mac version and believe me when I say they are not going to produce one any time soon
@@JamesDeanDesigns Yes, I've been using cnc/laser on Mac for about 30 years and am fully aware of how non-platform agnostic some older companies are. Thankfully nearly all of the 'new' companies around have seen the light and support all available platforms - most probably due to the construction software which allows multi-platform compilation of course, I'm not that naive 😁
My favourite software is Carveco, which does not have a Mac version at this stage. Soon I will be tossing my Win computers and going to a Mac, and so I will be using emulation for Carveco. I also have a few other pieces of software, such as legacy compilers, that will be run the same way. The only reason I have waited this long is that connectivity from a Mac, especially via serial links, can be problematic at times.
@@JamesDeanDesigns The decision not to support native applications on the ARM version Macs is a mistake by these companies. These new Macs are the ideal platform for engineering applications.
![[TH] RNT vs SPG - VCT Ascension Pacific - Day 1](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RUTkf8Detj8/mqdefault.jpg)
As a Mac user, great to see this video. Just wish these software companies would make Mac versions or online versions. At least there is Easel. Running windows on Max is a fine option, too.
The best CAD/CAM software I've ever used was Schlumberger's Geometric Modeler (GEM) and NC/g (the application used to generate tool paths and cutter location files, which then had to be post-processed to generate G-code) ran on a DEC VAXStation. The second best CAD/CAM software I'd only seen at the International Machine Tool Show (IMTS) in 1992. It was only available for the Mac, and unfortunately the hardware and software combination were far more expensive than lower quality offerings from competitors. The company went under because of low market adoption.
Thank you! Great episode! An additional note about using Windows on a Mac is you must purchase a copy of Windows. I have used VMware as a way to run Windows another great free option.
I’m a Mac user. My path has been: Easel > Carbide Create Pro > Fusion. I agree with your recommendations for the most part: 1. Start with Easel. 2. Upgrade to: ? …. Fusion IMO. It might depend on what you’re doing, but for me, I am getting into metal and 3D printing so Fusion is great. Agree with your learning curve comment though.
I continue to have what I assume are driver issues on my MacBook Pro. I bought a cheap pc to use with my CNC, but after less than a month it was laughably slow… if not laugh then cry. I’ve been a Mac user since 2007 or 2008, back in the XP days - and I can’t remember enough to bother trying to tune it to my needs beyond deleting the preinstalled junk that slows down most pcs. I sent it back.
I’m frustrated that I cannot get my Genmitsu 6050 Proverxl running with my Mac. I am past the date I can send it back or I would. I WANT TO PLAY WITH MY TOYS WITHOUT SUCH FRUSTRATION!!!
Thanks for addressing this subject James. Just a note, I put Windows 10 via BootCamp onto quite an old Mac to run Carveco, it worked but couldn't support the 3D view because of graphics limitations.
Yes, you will still need a computer of sufficient spec to run the relevant software
Thank you This is useful
I'm waiting full Carvera Air test
Boot camp is no longer available on the ARM version of the Mac (i.e., M1, M2, M3). For the M-series Macs, the only option to run Windows is via Parallels. The Parallels application can easily download and install a copy of Windows 11 for ARM, but be aware that this is a beta version.
Yes, think I covered all of this in the video other than the windows 11 part
i was miffed when Carbide stopped being able to freely export gcode.
thanks james a really good video .. 👍👍❤️
Glad you enjoyed it
Bootcamp is no longer supported on ARM chips Macbooks/minis, and even if you are on the latest compatible MacOS software, I think the bootcamp support is probably not as up to date by Apple. If you happen to be able to get an older Mac, that's great I guess... but it's not an alternative to getting a brand new, low power, cheap PC/laptop for your shop and learn how to Windows
You can use parallels instead
Parallels runs Windows as a VM on older Intel Macs as well as Windows runs in Bootcamp. I started running Windows in a VM with VMWare Fusion but tried Parallels at the recommendation of a friend in 2012 and have been using it ever since.
LOL, this is the 21st century, running a windoze emulator on Mac is just ridiculous (and an extra expense if using Parallels) . Your tagline gives the impression to Mac users that this software will run natively on Mac which is a lie, stop doing that. You'd be far better to get the software companies involved to supply native software. /rant
Rant away. I literally list how many pieces of software that run natively on Mac, both control and CAD/CAM, then explain for those wanting Carveco or Vectric how to get them working on a Mac. Nothing deceiving, just explaining to those who don't know.
I know why both Vectric and Carveco don't produce a Mac version and believe me when I say they are not going to produce one any time soon
@@JamesDeanDesigns Yes, I've been using cnc/laser on Mac for about 30 years and am fully aware of how non-platform agnostic some older companies are. Thankfully nearly all of the 'new' companies around have seen the light and support all available platforms - most probably due to the construction software which allows multi-platform compilation of course, I'm not that naive 😁
My favourite software is Carveco, which does not have a Mac version at this stage. Soon I will be tossing my Win computers and going to a Mac, and so I will be using emulation for Carveco. I also have a few other pieces of software, such as legacy compilers, that will be run the same way. The only reason I have waited this long is that connectivity from a Mac, especially via serial links, can be problematic at times.
@@JamesDeanDesigns The decision not to support native applications on the ARM version Macs is a mistake by these companies. These new Macs are the ideal platform for engineering applications.
@@gaiustacitus4242is Mac the best device for cnc work ? Suggest if any other