Student version

[Benv5]

Hi, I'm planing to take a mastercam class in September. I was thinking getting the mastercam student version for doing some homework for school and maybe program some project at home.

 

I want to know what I would/won't be able to do with the student version compare to the retail version. Also, I want to know if it will work with Solidwork. I know since X3 it does, but maybe not the student version. Also, how much cost the student version? I'll be getting the version from my reseller in Canada.

 

I also know that the school I'll be going, use X2 version. Will it be a problem if I program with X3 or X4 at home and maybe not be compatible in the X2 version?

 

Thank you.

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

You could give your local dealer a call:

http://www.captechnologies.qc.ca/

[Todd Tracey from Fastech]

The student version cannot create code. It's files cannot be opened in an industrial version as well. I was able to open a Solidworks file in the HLE version. C-Hooks are disabled. Dimensions are crippled on purpose, so you can't create a print with correct dimensions unless they are very basic whole numbers.

[Benv5]

I'll contact my local dealer for more info. But from what you guys saying, I'll be stuck getting the full version to be able to do what i want to do with it.

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

I think there might be a student license for the full version, which is different from the crippled demo version. I may be wrong though.

[Benv5]

Ok, I try to contact them via their "contact us automatic system" and ask them the question I was asking here and the only thing they reply is a link to download the X4 demo/student version of Mastercam (1.1gig) without answering my question. Will be sending directly a email next to get a clear answer.

 

Also the demo/student version they give me the link is only available until July 31 2011 and I should reinstall every 6 months. It also said it can read MCX and EMCX files ans save them in EMCX. But I can't save EMCX in MCX. I don't know what are EMCX and MCX files yet but Should I be concern by not being able to do that?

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

MCX is the standard Mastercam file format. EMCX is for the educational version only. Basically if you make or work on a file in the demo/educational version you will never be able to make parts with it. If you need to make parts or do any real work with it, it looks like you'll need the real thing.

[Benv5]

Got a reply from a dealer. He said exactly what you guys said: With X4 student version I'll be able to do the work at home and save it but won't be usable on a CNC (only being able to draw the pieces won't be enough, i will need to make them after in class), X4 version is not compatible with X2 version (not supprise there), It will support Solidworks part no problem and he don't think a full student license exist for sale.

 

To fix the problem of compatibility, the solution he suggest is, to ask the schools I will go, to change the version they use to X4. Also, from what I understand, they can't sell me the full version because it's all depends on the modules the company want and it's made for industrial purpose.

 

What can I do now?

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

Stay after class if you want to spend more time in Mastercam. I doubt the instructor would mind.

[Benv5]

I think I'll wait until I start school and ask the teacher and wait what he will say or do that. But if they are like my old school, had to change school not enough people taking the course so they don't want to start it, when class is over you have to leave.

 

Thanks for the help.

[Goldorak]

CAP is my reseller

 

contact them directly at [email protected]

[Benv5]

I did contact cap technologies and except the student version, there's no complete student version and they don't want to sell me a complete version because it depends on modules I need for the CNC I have. Since I don't own any CNC machine, they can't install those modules in the program. But they gave me a link to the company that give licenses to school "Cognisco Technologie".

 

One thing I'm not sure. I use Solidworks 2009, will I be able to import my work in Mastercam X2? I only want to know if in case I'm stuck to stay after school to do my work.