SCHAUMBURG, IL - Delcam will demonstrate the new, more powerful tools for the editing of vectors in the 2015 release of its ArtCAM Express artistic CADCAM program on booth 338 at the Cabinets and Closets Conference & Expo to be held on April 15th and 16th at the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois.

The 2015 version is also capable of creating more complex 3D designs. Even so, the price of this entry-level version of the company’s ArtCAM range remains at US$149, £99 or 125 Euros.

Full details on the new release and the opportunity to download an evaluation version are on the website – www.artcam.com/express

ArtCAM Express 2015 offers 2D drawing, over 600 free pieces of relief clipart, and 2D and standard 3D machining functions. It provides an ideal introduction to computer-based manufacturing for companies involved in engraving, routing and cabinet making, or other areas of decorative woodworking.

The 2015 release of ArtCAM Express allows faster creation of designs by including new tools to speed up the editing of vectors. Selection of vectors has been made easier and quicker. Simply, dragging the mouse across any area of a model now selects all the vectors either completely or partially within that area. Selection can also be made of a set of nodes, either from a single vector or from a group of vectors. Once selected, the group of vectors or the set of nodes can be edited simultaneously in either the 2D or the 3D view.

Movement of relief clipart and vectors has been made simpler and more accurate with the ability to specify the exact distance to be moved, as well as being able to move items by eye.

The ability to create and edit text has been extended so that text can be written in the 3D view. New options include writing text on a curve, as well as rotating, scaling and angling text after creation.

While ArtCAM Express does not contain any 3D design tools, users can create 3D designs for machining by importing 3D models or by using the clipart reliefs included with the software. To enable more complex 3D designs to be created, a new combine/replace mode has been added allowing reliefs to be overlapped and intersected.

A range of modules for ArtCAM Express is available to add extra design and machining functionality. These options allow users to upgrade their capabilities to match their specific needs at a lower cost than would be required to move to the more powerful ArtCAM Insignia or ArtCAM Pro programs.

The toolpath-panelling module that allows larger jobs to be divided into sections for machining and reassembly once cut is of particular interest to cabinet makers. The bevel-carving module will also be useful in many cases by allowing a hand-carved look with bevelled edges to be added to frames or panels. Multiple items with different text on the same underlying design can be created with the multi-plate module using data from text or CSV files. Finally, the new fluting module allows ramping moves in and out of the material to create grooves or textured surfaces. This uses the vectors together with the geometry and motion of the cutting tool

Other modules useful for cabinet makers include the advanced 2D machining and nesting option that allows bridges associated with a group of vectors to be amended simultaneously, and the vector-tools module with the ability to preserve vector layers when a selection of vectors is copied and pasted.