*TITAN-3M Mastercam tutorial has entered the chat*

The Academy
1

UPDATED
The TITAN-3M Mastercam tutorial, taught by Nicole, is now LIVE on the Academy!

Learn how to program the first operation of this circular part today. We can’t wait to see your results!

OUR TEAM is dedicated to producing the BEST CAD, CAM, and CNC tutorials on the Internet—FOR YOU!

We want to hear from you! Tell us something you learned watching our tutorials.

3 Likes
2

I only have experience with Fusion. Titan recently promoted Solidworks. Now he is promoting Mastercam as “the best of the best”.

Learning any software is a major commitment. Is there any prominent reason to take on Mastercam or Solidworks over Fusion 360?

Any thoughts regarding OnShape? It is compelling…

1 Like
3

Hi Joseph, What program path did you decide to pursue? I am trying to figure out the same thing, what program to focus on?

4

Hi Carl

I stayed with Fusion 360. They are on a path of constant improvement. Whatever shortcomings there are I believe will be overcome.

Good luck

Joe

1 Like
5

Thanks Joseph!
I have been doing a lot of research on the subject. It’s a hard choice. I’m starting from scratch.
Fusion 360:

  • After becoming proficient, a full commercial license could be obtained for less than $500USD a year.
  • It’s an all in one CAD/CAM package.
  • It might not be the “best”, but it seems good enough for 95% of things.
  • You don’t need as high end computing power.
  • It’s great for small/start up business.
  • Cloud based

Solidworks/Mastercam:

  • A hobby seat of Solidworks is $99USD, not including Mastercam.
  • $4000+ for a commercial Solidworks seat, not including Mastercam.
  • It seems the professional standard?
  • It seems more powerful?
  • Better for intellectual property constraints.

From what I’m reading, they have completely different workflows?

1 Like
6

I may be a bit late to the forum topic here but I’m going to drop my .02 not that anyone asked for it. I’m currently in the same boat as you guys are. I’ve been using Fusion off/on for the past few years and daily for the past 10 months since I purchased my cnc mill. I’ve gotten to the point where I’m very comfortable with basic to mid-level designs and toolpaths.

The more I’m looking around the more I’m beginning to see Solidworks/Mastercam’s worth. I purchased the student edition for SL and MC from Titan’s store and already like it over fusion 360. Granted MC seems a bit more clunkier than Fusion I can see a LOT more control over the toolpaths etc. I decided to take this plunge because instead of devoting more years into Fusion 360 I decided to make the switch now and I’m glad I did. I’m back to square 1 with the Titan-1M. I thank Fusion 360 in providing the initial bridge of understanding and helping build confidence in hitting the cycle start button. Hope this is helpful to someone contemplating the same thing. I see a lot of job offerings looking for Solidworks/Mastercam experience over Fusion 360. Kind of seems like a no brainer for me.

3 Likes
7

I bought mastercam a few years ago for $4000 with great plans to learn it and use it. Mastercam had courses you could buy for $160 each. The maintenance fee was $900 a year.Life got super crazy and i lost my focus. 4 years later I decided to get back on the horse. I email mastercam and discover i owe them $3000 for the missed maintenance fees that i missed while my software was not being used. I can still use my 2018 mastercam but i cant post and i cant upgrade it without basicly rebuying it. They did have an awesome promotional last december that i missed. $900 for 3 years. Mastercam can be incredibly expensive. It is CAM software that can do CAD. Solidworks is CAD software that can do CAM. Fusion is an affordable alternatives to both and a happy medium. At the end of the day you buy CAD/CAM to make money so if you think you can make more money by spending another $5k-8k then more power to you. But, like Titan said fusion is cheapest go with fusion and ypgrade when you have a need. that was enough for me and that is why i use fusion 360.

2 Likes