MC 2026R2

[neurosis]

It will not be a paid add-on and will be included for all CONNECT customers.

Forgive my ignorance on this, but what is a CONNECT customer?

----------

I looked it up and it's just a maintenance customer?

Does that mean that you only have access as long as your maintenance is current, regardless of what version of the software you're on? (subscription)?

Mastercam CONNECT

Comprehensive maintenance and support program providing access to the latest releases, technical support, and educational resources.

[Dylan Gondyke]

That's correct, CONNECT = Maintenance. We want to put the new interface in as wide an audience's hands as possible. Similar to what's been adjusted with Deburr to ensure as large a group as possible can access. 

[Here's Johnny!]

It will not be a paid add-on and will be included for all CONNECT customers.

Is this just for the BETA or for the full release?

[Dylan Gondyke]

All toolpaths will continue to backplot, verify, post, etc, but you'd be unable to modify the parameters. There's no "Connect produced" flag, if you will- it's simply a check against maintenance status. Every license of Mastercam from Mill Entry on up would have access to EverPath, and also the HLE/Demo versions. Following convention of the existing HST toolpaths, even Mill 2D licenses will have access, but will be restricted to single face selections.

[Dylan Gondyke]

We feel pretty strongly that as this product grows, we want it to be the preferred way for new users to learn Mastercam. That means that a separate add-on or a separate subscription potentially splits the audience or gates access. Plus, we listen to users when they say they want to see more value in CONNECT. This is one way we're looking to ensure that that maintenance/CONNECT value is justified and continues to roll out improvements and new technology to all.

[Dylan Gondyke]

I'll return back to my usual technical rather than sales side now, but it was a deliberate choice to offer for free via CONNECT rather than a standalone subscription that would have gated the product.

[Zoffen]

more value in CONNECT.

Like bug fixes for bugs that have accumulated that haven't been fixed over the past few years?

Sorry I couldn't help myself!


So let me get this right. If I have an everpath toolpath in a file and in 3 years I go off maintenance I cannot edit the toolpath parameters when I go back and open that file?

[TSmcam]

Does that mean that you only have access as long as your maintenance is current, regardless of what version of the software you're on? (subscription)?

Surely not....

[Zoffen]

Ok so thinking about this more this seems like the worst of both worlds. I pay for the software initially $$$. Then I pay maintenance $$$ for the privilege of using the software features I already payed for. I have to be missing something there because this sounds like the most fucking retarded thing I have ever heard of. What am I missing here?

[neurosis]

I pay for the software initially $$$. Then I pay maintenance $$$ for the privilege of using the software features I already payed for.

Not to mention how much your maintenance fees have gone up since Sandvik took over?

[Zoffen]

Not to mention how much your maintenance fees have gone up since Sandvik took over?

In the near future the maintenance will be the same as the sub so basically you wasted your initial investment buying the software. This is just a play to get everyone on subs then kill the perm license. Run while you can....

They should rename it to Mastercam DIS-CONNECT...

[TSmcam]

Son of Autodesk 

[SuperHoneyBadger]

You'll have to forgive us for being cynical about hearing that toolpathing functionality is being gated behind annual payments (maintenance, connect, subscription - a rose by any other name) for the first time in the same update that allows machine definitions to be read only (aka sell-able).

Yes, I am a pessimist, and no it's not getting better as I age. And witnessing new examples of half-empty glasses doesn't help.

[CADCAM396]

My little brain says if I pay for software, pay for maintenance for updates. I want said software to work as paid for at that point forever.  period! If game is being played her gonna be searching for another long term solution asap.

[Zoffen]

Man this whole thing seems like it was thought up by some junior VP of revenue hopped up on too much white powder.

"They pay...."

"Then they pay..."

"And then they pay some more..."

"See, it's brilliant. I'M A GENIUS!"