We need a TopSolid support forum!

[Matthew Hajicek]

Matthew Hajicek  12:41 PM
I guess that brings up a question; what's the policy for transferring licenses of TopSolid?
Nicholas Vegliante  12:46 PM
Transfer the license from one company to another?
Matthew Hajicek  12:57 PM
Yes.  The current situation is with a department or subsidiary being sold, and CNC Software is saying the Mastercam licenses cannot be transferred with the department.  I'm curious how it would work out if we'd had TopSolid instead.
Nicholas Vegliante  1:00 PM
TopSolid licenses can be transferred, you just need to summit a letter stating the change. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[TSmcam]

If you dont need the kinematics, TopSolid 5 axis posts are considerably cheaper than Mastercam posts. I know that for a fact.

Plus, post processors are covered under maintenance, meaning they are updated regularly. Everytime a service pack comes out, there is a list of post processor updates.

I'm not going to discuss TopSolid pricing here, not because I have a problem with discussing the actual cost, but because I am a TopSolid reseller, and the USA is not my territory. I don't want to, nor will I, step on TopSolid USA's territory. But, I am more than happy to discuss the product with you.

One thing I will say, is that for the money, you get a heck of a lot of design capability with TopSolid. I am a reseller, but I am also a daily user of the product. Where I am, there isn't a huge market, so I am a reseller part of the time, and a user part of the time. The design capability might not mean too much to a programmer, but when you can easily model clamps, vices, toolholders etc, it makes its value felt quickly.

Ironically, I am also a Vericut (and Cimco) reseller. My take on wether Vericut is necessary? Well, in all honesty, if you're doing complex Mill-Turn, or 4 or 5 axis simultaneous, then I would prefer the security of running my code through Vericut after TopSolid. TopSolid simulation is very good. and I have a customer that relies on it for full 5 axis machining on two 5 axis machines, but for me, I like an independent application checking the code as a secondary check

[Matthew Hajicek]

One thing I will say, is that for the money, you get a heck of a lot of design capability with TopSolid.

That's good.  I tend to do quick and dirty fixture design in Mastercam, but if I need something more complex I go into Solidworks.  We'll have a Solidworks seat anyway, since that's what everyone in this business circle is designing with.

[TSmcam]

because this is not Mastercam.com or eMC I can say this  
A full boat seat of Mastercam 2021 (Lathe, 3D, and Multiaxis) will set you back about $21K
5X posts run $3K to $5k depending on where you buy them
I suspect maintenance varies from dealer to dealer but it's runs about $2300/year

LOL, its actually quite refreshing being able to openly discuss stuff like this here.

A while back, Daniel on the e make some comments to Colin about how he and I were pro TopSolid, and that we were being watched. Somewhat concerned about his perception, I actually reached out to Daniel, messaging him and letting him know that I in no way intended to try and sell TopSolid or recruit users on eMastercam. I am more sensible than that.

Daniel never even bothered to reply. The least he could have done is acknowledged my honesty.

[TSmcam]

[quote="Matthew Hajicek" post_id=6489 time=1612987684 user_id=57]

One thing I will say, is that for the money, you get a heck of a lot of design capability with TopSolid.

That's good.  I tend to do quick and dirty fixture design in Mastercam, but if I need something more complex I go into Solidworks.  We'll have a Solidworks seat anyway, sinec that's what everyone in this business circle is designing with.
[/quote]

In my day job, we have Solidworks, as well as TopSolid. We got Solidworks a long time before TopSolid, but once I started using TopSolid, I never looked back. I never really got on well with the usage of Solidworks (maybe its just me ) but, I was found I was far more productive in TS.

You mentioned about TopSolid Swiss. To be honest, I dont have any experience with that product, but what I have seen looks very capable.

[neurosis]

In my day job, we have Solidworks, as well as TopSolid. We got Solidworks a long time before TopSolid, but once I started using TopSolid, I never looked back. I never really got on well with the usage of Solidworks (maybe its just me ) but, I was found I was far more productive in TS.

We still have a seat of SolidWorks here and I haven't opened it in two years. I'm not sure that I would be efficient in it anymore.  

The only real complaint that I've had, is that the solid chamfer in TS leaves a little to be desired.

[TSmcam]

The only real complaint that I've had, is that the solid chamfer in TS leaves a little to be desired.

You're never happy, are you? LOL

I've never had a problem with it, but, I'm sure it could be improved. The software isn't perfect (what software is?),

The hardest thing with TopSolid for me was getting used to the whole PDM thing. Having all your files within a database. But, that is actually a benefit, and key to how the software works.

Hows your posts going?

[gcode]

The hardest thing with TopSolid for me was getting used to the whole PDM thing. Having all your files within a database.

That's the part that made my head hurt  

[neurosis]

You're never happy, are you? LOL

I've never had a problem with it, but, I'm sure it could be improved. The software isn't perfect (what software is?),

The hardest thing with TopSolid for me was getting used to the whole PDM thing. Having all your files within a database. But, that is actually a benefit, and key to how the software works.

Hows your posts going?

Hey, if my biggest complaint is a chamfer.    

I struggle with the PDM some times still but it's a lot less cumbersome than it was in the beginning and in fact, makes some things a LOT easier.

The posts are great.  I wasn't sure if I would have to have them updated with the update to 7.14 but they still seem to work so I haven't bothered  you.  

[TSmcam]

Hey, if my biggest complaint is a chamfer.    

I struggle with the PDM some times still but it's a lot less cumbersome than it was in the beginning and in fact, makes some things a LOT easier.

The posts are great.  I wasn't sure if I would have to have them updated with the update to 7.14 but they still seem to work so I haven't bothered  you.  

Haha, yes good point. If its just chamfering, then it can't be too bad.

Glad to hear the posts are working fine. I've been doing a bunch with probing. I added probing to our Okuma 5 Axis mill post, and it is working a treat. No add on necessary for probing

There are some good improvements coming in V7.15. I've got a bunch of webinars coming up about it.

[Matthew Hajicek]

Is the PDM a mandatory component of TS?

[TSmcam]

[quote="Matthew Hajicek" post_id=6551 time=1613072235 user_id=57]
Is the PDM a mandatory component of TS?
[/quote]

Yes. it is. CAD and CAM all work within the PDM. But, you can use it on a basic level for part files and machining files, where you just check in and check out (and avoid validation).

The PDM can be a standalone (single installation), or you can have a PDM server, for multiple users.

The PDM functionality is what makes TopSolid work well between CAD and CAM.

[AMI_Machining]

There is a TopSolid forum on slack.  Pm me for an invite.

[mkd]

yes, we should totally start a hypermill forum

[neurosis]

yes, we should totally start a hypermill forum

I think that he was targeting the TS users here to get them to join the TS slack channel.  Everyone here who uses TS is already on  it and has been for quite some time. He may not have known that.