Gathering ideas for cam package

[padmaster]

I have been tasked with finding a replacement cam package. I currently use cam350, and have been using it for several years. I have d/l Viewmate and GC-Prevue as well as Gerbtool.


What are most of the board houses using?

What gets you the most bang for the buck?

What is the most feature rich package?

What is the most intuative package?

[Cadcrusher]

Here is a free one that works very well http://www.reliant-eds.com/excelcam.htm

[Skip Yutkus]

Padmaster,

Most of the board shops use Valor, however this is an entire CIM package that includes CAM - it costs a fortune and may only run on UNIX, I haven't read the specs on it lately, I've been using gerber editors and cam packages for many years, (I believe in making sure that the board shop will not choke on my files), and of all the ones I've tried CAM350 is my favorite, with Gerbtool running a close second, Gerbtool is vastly improved over the earlier versions.

Skip

[padmaster]

I like Cam350 as well but it is no longer supported and will have no more updates. :( I can't afford to slip into the darkside on cam packages.

I have used Valor on the PC platform at a previous job(three years ago). I wasn't involved in the setup/installation or script writing, just a user. As you mentioned, it cost a fortune and would probably require a team of experts to maintain.

[Skip Yutkus]

Padmaster,

CAM350 is fully supported, as a matter of fact version 8 was just released, after Innoveda bought ACT it was later spun off and taken over by the old ACT group who formed a company called Downstream Technologies - the rumors of it's death were greatly exaggerated.

Skip :)

[padmaster]

I apologize for my 'uninformed' inquiries. My boss mentioned looking into another cam package a while back when the future of Cam350 was shakey. Shortly after that, we went into overdrive trying to get out some products and I am just now looking into it. I did talk to my boss and he said he did get a letter from Downstream announcing v8. I've gotta dig up some release notes to see what enhancements v8 may contain. I like Cam350 and would like to stay with it.

Anyone got any quick comments on v8. I'm on v7 right now.

[randychase]

A lot of V8 is an improved and customizable user interface (you can also toggle back to a V7.5 interface). There is a lot of info about this at:

http://www.downstreamtech.com