Correct software for Altmill 4x8 start to finsh, currently running fusion

I use SketchUp Pro and Vcarve Pro. Tried Fusion for a while and just couldn’t get the hang of it. I watched countless YouTube videos and tried to replicate what I was doing in SketchUp to compare. I might give Fusion another shot but really can’t justify it when I can do whatever I need in SketchUp. I have 3d printers too and it is very easy to export the stl files and load them into the slicer. There are a million other options. Just as an FYI to folks, if you happen to be a student or have a student in the house, take a look at the pricing they can get. It is great for them to learn the software and maybe they will let you use it. :wink:

About 5 months ago I purchased a 3d printer on a whim. While waiting for it to arrive, I researched CAD software—something I knew absolutely nothing about. I ended up choosing Fusion because it was free, supposedly powerful, and had a large pool of YT tutorials (and AI) to help with the steep learning curve. I quickly found Fusion addictive, and very, very frustrating. I had days when I got hung-up for hours trying to figure out why one sketch line wouldn’t constrain with another. But, when there’s a will, there’s a way. Put over 500 hours on my 3d printer in less than 2 months. One day while researching a project, I inadvertently clicked on a YT video showing someone using Fusion as part of their process to carve a guitar on their CNC. A huge lightbulb turned on. Long story short, I’m now modeling my dream guitar in Fusion and carving proto-types out of cheap lumber on my Altmill. Probably a month away from carving a top out of a huge slab of curly maple I’ve been saving for 20-25 years. Bitin’ at the bit (pun intended) to get started sooner, but I’ve found the CAM process almost as daunting as the CAD. Been an absolutely crazy 5 months—but, I’m lovin’ every minute of it!

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MillMage Pro is now generally available - if you have any questions, myself and the Support team are happy to assist.

Here’s our video/docs on Relief Carving: 3D Relief Carving - MillMage Documentation

And V-carving

We have a couple Altmills in-house (3 as of writing) including the one here at my shop with an ATC. Happy to send over a bundle if it helps get you set up faster!