This is probably one of the most talked about stories in the CNC software world. Eons ago, a software product called ArtCAM was sold by a software house called Delcam in the United Kingdom. After years of doing business an argument pursued with the owners of Delcam and the software engineers that started ArtCAM. Over the years we have heard stories about how bad it was but in the end the software engineers left and made a product called Vectric. 

After starting Vectric to compete with ArtCAM, it took them two years to release their first product called Photo V-Carve. Vectric poached ArtCAMs head software engineer to slow down ArtCAM’s development. Vectric has grown successfully into an employee owned company with the original owner having a majority share. We don’t know how much money Vectric make a year but we think they spent $80,000 on sponsoring the whole of the Maker Central NEC Tradeshow, so we believe they are a rich company.

A few years later a few staff at ArtCAM were forced to leave ArtCAM, but formed a new company called Carveco, with the permission of the company that owned the code at that time.
 
Since Carveco started we have been led to believe that the two companies are happy to work together again as friends and competing products in the market, we met the owner of Vectric a while back and he was happy that his products could continue.

But is this true?

While walking at a tradeshow in England called Makers Central, it was highlighted to us that a few things may not be all they seem, and the rivalry is more intense than anyone could have thought. 

We could feel some tension at Makers Central between the two companies and this may be down to the Vectric rebrand and the sponsorship of Makers Central.

Vectric’s new tagline - "VECTRIC - CNC SOFTWARE MADE BY MAKERS FOR MAKERS" we were informed this is very close to “Carveco -SOFTWARE FOR CREATIVE MAKERS BY CREATIVE MAKERS", what do you think? Check out these images sent in, and leave feedback.











 

Vectric’s Mainstage  - A source told us that an image used on the Main Stage Powerpoint was actually an image from an ArtCAM case study. Don’t forget, ArtCAM is rebranded to Carveco.  What do you think, is this Vectric claiming to do work that was done in ArtCAM/Carveco or is it Vectric paying homage to where it came from? 

Check this out and leave feedback.

                   2023 Maker Central Main Stage Talk                           2011 ArtCAM Case Study - source ArtCAM.COM












What do you think? Is it romance between the two companies or are they bitter rivals? Message below to leave feedback or if you are more in the know about what is going on?