Here's a collection of some questions we get asked from time to time. If you'd like to ask a question yourself, please feel free to email us at artcam@delcam.com.
Q: What is ArtCAM?
ArtCAM is really a family of software that offer a complete design and manufacturing solution for a wide range of industries. Designed primarily for artists over engineers, ArtCAM offers a wide variety of intuitive design tools that can be mastered easily. Furthermore, ArtCAM also contains all the tools you need to manufacture your designs in a variety of ways.
The ArtCAM family of products are designed to grow with your business, offering you a fully supported route to commercial success.
What products make up the ArtCAM family of software?
The range starts from as little as $149 and comprises the entry-level version, ArtCAM Express for users new to CNC machining; ArtCAM Insignia for introductory 3D design & production machining; ArtCAM Pro for more complex 3D design and manufacturing, and ArtCAM JewelSmith for the jewellery industry.
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Q: What is the current version of ArtCAM?
All ArtCAM programs are currently part of the ArtCAM 2012 release.
Q: What are the software requirements for running ArtCAM?
Minimum Hardware Requirements
- Processor Type & Speed: Intel Core 2 Duo (or equivalent)
- RAM: 4GB
- Graphics Card: 1GB fully OpenGL 2.0 compliant graphics card*
- Hard Disk Size: 120 GB
- Screen Display: 1280 x 1024
- OS: Windows 8 64-bit, Windows 7 64-bit & 32-bit, Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Business & Windows Vista Enterprise
Recommended Hardware
- Processor Type & Speed: Multiple core 64-bit processor, such as AMD PhenomTM II or Intel Core i7 Quad-Core
- RAM: 8GB or more
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA Quadro or AMD FirePro dedicated graphics card (at least 2GB fully Open GL 2.0 compliant)*
- Hard Disk Size: 500 GB or more
- Screen Display: 1920 x 1200 (Using 1680x1050 will increase drawing speed)
- OS:Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 8 64-bit
- Additional Hardware/Software: Wacom pressure sensitive tablet for Interactive Sculpting (if desired)
Advanced Recommended Hardware (For High End Users)
- Processor Type & Speed: Multiple core 64-bit processor, such as AMD PhenomTM II or Intel Core i7 Quad-Core
- RAM: 16GB or more
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA Quadro or AMD FirePro dedicated graphics card (at least 2GB fully OpenGL 2.0 compliant)*
- Hard Disk Size: 500 GB or more
- Screen Display: 1920 x 1200 (Using 1680x1050 will increase drawing speed)
- Operating System & Version: Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 8 64-bit
- Additional Hardware/Software: Wacom pressure sensitive tablet for Interactive Sculpting (if desired)
*We recommend installing the free trial versions of ArtCAM Express or ArtCAM Insignia to ensure compatability with your current system. If you would like more information on hardware compatibility please email info@artcam.com.
Q. What is an Add-In?
Toolbox Add-ins are macro extensions which add useful features to ArtCAM.
Add-ins provide a method to create fully-integrated tools within ArtCAM. They also allow you to automate a number of operations within ArtCAM by executing a single command. An example is the 'Rope Creator' which builds a rope relief around a single closed vector which the user selects before running the Add-in. The Add-in prompts the user to enter various parameters that will control the appearance of the rope. The Add-in then performs a relatively complex series of steps to produce a rope that is wrapped along the selected vector.
Each Add-in has one folder containing a few files to run it. The Add-ins are located in the ArtCAM install directory. Typically C:\Program Files\ArtCAM Pro\Toolbox. Once an Add-in is copied into the Toolbox folder, it will appear on the Add In page on the right side of the ArtCAM screen.
Q: Can I use a graphics tablet?
Using a graphics tablet aids some tools within ArtCAM. As the software is designed for Artistic modelling the Sculpting mode gives greater freedom with a graphics tablet.
Q: What file formats can ArtCAM work with?
ArtCAM allows you the flexibility to work with a number of different industry-standard software programs and data-types:
Vector files; |
Surface Model files; |
Raster files; |
Delcam files; |
3D files; |
ArtCAM files; |
For more information on the file compatability of each ArtCAM product please review the product comparison chart on the Upgrade Path page.
Q: Can ArtCAM import the digitized/scanned data?
ArtCAM can import the digitized/scanned data using the ArtRead function which converts the digitized data to relief. There are four different readers supplied with ArtCAM,
Laser ASCII Data:
This reads data from a wide range of laser scanner which output data as a series of ASCII points. Note: The point data must be arranged as a series of linear scan lines, this reader will not read the data which consists of the random point cloud.
Toolpath Reader:
This reads the data which has been scanned with a physical probe and the points stored in ASCII G code toolpath format.
Renishaw Model:
This reads data from a Renishaw Cyclone scanner
3D Scanner Ris:
This reads data from a 3D Scanners Laser scanner.
Q: What is the ArtCAM Advantage Package?
The ArtCAM Advantage Package is a cost effective way to maximize the benefit from your ArtCAM investment.
1) Annual Software Upgrade
2) Technical Support
3) Discounts on Advanced Training
4) Dedicated Resource Website
5) International User Groups
6) Access to Extra Training Material
For more information about the ArtCAM Advantage Package please click here >>
Q: Do all versions of ArtCAM come with the Free 3D Clipart library?
All versions of ArtCAM will get installed with the 3D Clipart library containing 500+ relief files that can be machined and saved to your CNC machine. One of the major benefits for ArtCAM Express and ArtCAM Insignia is the ability to import and machine 3D reliefs!
Q: How do I download patches and updates?
From the Help pull down menu in ArtCAM, click on ‘Check for ArtCAM updates’ which will link into the ‘ArtCAM Advantage’ website, or go directly to the site by clicking on ArtCAM Advantage (from the help pull down). From the Advantage site, click on ‘Software Updates and Patches’ in the left side column to access the page. You will be able to download any patches required to run your version of ArtCAM. Once downloaded make sure to install the patch.
