Software and Design
The Buddy is controlled using software programs that allow the user to tell the machine where and how to move to cut the projects they require. The Buddy comes packaged with some of the most user friendly yet powerful design and control software programs available. The solution also includes a unique set of ready-to-carve projects in the “Get Carving Quickly” package. To further aid the process there is also a large choice of 2D and 3D Clip Art collections available for purchase. Below you can read more about the software and artwork which is available for use with the Buddy.
| Design Software |
PartWorks and PartWorks 3D software is included with all Buddy machines. |
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The first stage of the CNC process is to use the Design Software to layout the project. The Buddy uses PartWorks and PartWorks 3D as its Design solution. This suite of software provides the user with the ability to import existing data from other programs (AutoCAD, TurboCAD, Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator etc.) or to create their own parts using the drawing tools. Once the part is laid out there is a selection of powerful toolpath strategies to let the user choose how they want to carve the particular part.
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| Control Software |
Sb3 Control software is included with all Buddy machines. |
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Once you have created your toolpaths the next stage is to send them to the Buddy and reference them to the tool and material. This procedure is done using ShopBot’s own control software.
The control software lets preview the toolpaths you have created and then send the cutting file to the machine itself. The latest version of the ShopBot Control Software is always available here for free download. This is the software that runs ShopBot CNC Tools. With the ShopBot Control Software, you can enter individual commands to move the tool or run a ShopBot Part File, a cutting file created in a CAD/CAM program such as the ShopBot PartWorks Suite, to cut out a part. If you are interested in a test drive to check out the software, the ShopBot Control Software will run in Preview Mode without being connected to a ShopBot and you are welcome to download and try it out.
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Get Carving Quickly Package |
The Get Carving Quickly package is included with all Buddy machines. |
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Vector Art 3D teamed up with ShopBot to create our Get Carving Quickly package. This includes 5 complete projects which can be loaded into PartWorks and either cut as they are or customized to your specifications. They are designed to show a new user how parts are set up in the software and to provide you with a selection of samples that you can start making on day one of owning your machine. The projects include a business card holder, 2 signs, a plaque and an ornamental corner block.
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2D and 3D Clipart |
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Both experienced and new CNC users find it beneficial to have access to libraries of 2D and 3D Clip Art. These resources consist of pre-created line drawings or 3D computer models which can be used as standalone projects or combined in your design program and customized to make unique new projects. Having a library of artwork can be a great time-saver and also help ramp-up your productivity in the early days of owning a CNC tool. ShopBot offer a selection of 2D and 3D Clip Art libraries from the Vector Art group of companies.
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