Current state of PowerMILL?

[hasall10fingers]

I am a longtime PowerMILL user but haven't used it in 4+ years. I am going to be starting a new job in a couple of weeks that will be mostly 3-axis, 3+2 and 5-axis work. They currently are using Camworks but don't have anyone that is very experienced in CAM at all. They basically told me I can pick my CAM software. I have a LOT of seat time with PowerMILL doing 3-axis mold work but no 3+2 or 5-axis. PowerMILL is by far my favorite for 3-axis work. I also have used NX for a few years doing 2-5 axis aerospace work. I'd also be using Solidworks so don't really need CAD/CAM integration like NX. NX would be my choice after PowerMILL. So my question is....how bad has Autodesk screwed up PowerMILL and what does the future for it hold? If it's just going to be integrated into Fusion or something else where the interface kind of just goes away after it toolpaths are pillaged? How is the maintenance currently being handled? Subscription based? In short, my heart says PowerMILL but my intuition says NX or possibly something else. Am I correct? I'm not interested in using something that just uses Module Works either.

 

[SeymourDumore]

So, for a couple of your questions.
Yes, all of ADSK products are exclusively Rent-A-Software ( annual subscription ), no possibility for perpetual licenses.
The licenses are now called "named user" licenses, meaning if you truly want to be compliant with the ADSK requirements, no two users can share the same seat.

I believe @gregormarwick is a current Powermill user so he might be able to tell you about the actual development that ADSK is putting into the software, but if it is anything like FeatureCAM ( the other Delcam product they've purchased ) then I would strongly suggest an alternative.
FC, for all intents and purposes is a Zombie application. You can still purchase a subscription for it, but it has seen absolutely ZERO!!! development in 4 years.
ZERO!!!

 

[gregormarwick]

So, for a couple of your questions.
Yes, all of ADSK products are exclusively Rent-A-Software ( annual subscription ), no possibility for perpetual licenses.
The licenses are now called "named user" licenses, meaning if you truly want to be compliant with the ADSK requirements, no two users can share the same seat.

I believe @gregormarwick is a current Powermill user so he might be able to tell you about the actual development that ADSK is putting into the software, but if it is anything like FeatureCAM ( the other Delcam product they've purchased ) then I would strongly suggest an alternative.
FC, for all intents and purposes is a Zombie application. You can still purchase a subscription for it, but it has seen absolutely ZERO!!! development in 4 years.
ZERO!!!

Sorry, no Powermill here, but a quick glance at the last few years' release notes does show a bit more of a pulse than FC.

Powermill is probably a bigger cash cow for AD than FC, so they are perhaps not quite so eager to leave it by the wayside. That's purely speculation mind.

 

[SteveEx30]

Ahh Delcam Powermill. The best software back in the day when you could own it.

The subscription based software turned me away when I was shoping around.

 

[5 axis Fidia guy]

Been a user for almost 30 years, I can do anything with it that all the others show off doing. IF I would ever change, it would be Hypermill. Autodesk sort of messes up everything and my support money seems to go directly into Fusion development, which they push more than Powermill. I have Fusion as well and only use it for probing, I have no reason to use it for any machining, and am not of fan of the cloud thing. I don't think PM is going away, I was told that it would be stupid to get rid of it because it does not take much to keep it alive, it's already one of the best out there. I disagree with some of the last postings, there has been improvements and changes in the software, maybe just not as much as in the past. I'm sniffing at retirement, so when Powermill goes away, so do I.

 

[len_1962]

Been a user for almost 30 years, I can do anything with it that all the others show off doing. IF I would ever change, it would be Hypermill. Autodesk sort of messes up everything and my support money seems to go directly into Fusion development, which they push more than Powermill. I have Fusion as well and only use it for probing, I have no reason to use it for any machining, and am not of fan of the cloud thing. I don't think PM is going away, I was told that it would be stupid to get rid of it because it does not take much to keep it alive, it's already one of the best out there. I disagree with some of the last postings, there has been improvements and changes in the software, maybe just not as much as in the past. I'm sniffing at retirement, so when Powermill goes away, so do I.

And then Programming Plus sold to NexGenCAM which was another Nail in the coffin, I bet??

 

[5 axis Fidia guy]

And then Programming Plus sold to NexGenCAM which was another Nail in the coffin, I bet??

Our support was with CadCam Systems out of IL, they were fantastic and I miss them allot. NexGen has been good so far, but I don't use the support like I used to, mostly just to send in projects with a bug here and there. We just send a check to Autodesk every year for I'm not sure what.

 

[GFB]

I am a longtime PowerMILL user but haven't used it in 4+ years. I am going to be starting a new job in a couple of weeks that will be mostly 3-axis, 3+2 and 5-axis work. They currently are using Camworks but don't have anyone that is very experienced in CAM at all. They basically told me I can pick my CAM software. I have a LOT of seat time with PowerMILL doing 3-axis mold work but no 3+2 or 5-axis. PowerMILL is by far my favorite for 3-axis work. I also have used NX for a few years doing 2-5 axis aerospace work. I'd also be using Solidworks so don't really need CAD/CAM integration like NX. NX would be my choice after PowerMILL. So my question is....how bad has Autodesk screwed up PowerMILL and what does the future for it hold? If it's just going to be integrated into Fusion or something else where the interface kind of just goes away after it toolpaths are pillaged? How is the maintenance currently being handled? Subscription based? In short, my heart says PowerMILL but my intuition says NX or possibly something else. Am I correct? I'm not interested in using something that just uses Module Works either.

GB
Personally i think camworks was one of the best Cam systems i have used its also emended into solid works renamed solidworks Cam,
i thought autodesk had pulled powermill and Feature cam ?
the solidworks cam is just the basic option, (free on post 2022 edition) but you can upgrade to solidworks Pro/cam to get the full functions

 

[5 axis Fidia guy]

I have had concern with Powermill in the recent years as well as some of the previous guys. I had a conversation about this with a "higher up" Autodesk developer and he assured me Powermill is going nowhere. He said it's still among the top of the heap as far as high end 3 and 5 axis software goes, and it does not take much as far a resources to keep it there. I have to agree with his opinion from that standpoint. I always read the what's new section and videos on other cams like Hypermill, NX etc.. and Powemill can do all they can do, and sometimes more. There are things shown in new versions of other softwares that PM could do for years. I, by no means am a cheerleader for Autodesk because I think my tens of thousands of support money goes to Fusion, but there is nothing I cannot cut with Powermll for mold work.

 

[len_1962]

@5 axis Fidia guy

just heard that NextGenCam was sold again

 

[RobPulseWorkshop]

@5 axis Fidia guy

just heard that NextGenCam was sold again

NexGenCAM, now NexGenSolutions 'partnered' with a private equity firm. Still the same people, just pushing to grow rapidly... we all know everyone's thoughts with Private Equity.

I was an AE at NexGenCAM (err, NexGenSolutions) for years, supporting and training PowerMill and CAMplete. I worked there from early 2020 to late 2023. Went through all of the ups and downs(pre-private equity to post). Still great software and I don't see PowerMill going anywhere anytime soon. It's still something I use every day and I still love every bit of.

As far as NexGenSolutions, they are a great group of people. They have definitely grown in the last year or so, but the OG's are still there. I'm still connected with a few of them. If anyone is looking to connect with training or purchasing services for CAD/CAM, they are the perfect source!