bend tech software, advice please

[B2Krawler]

buying a tube bender this week, everyone seems to like the software, is there more than one version of this software, there must be since prices vary fro $50 to $180

trying to decide between the Pro Tools 105 HD and the JD bender

Looking at the $50 version that you can get with the JD bender, is this different than the EZ 3d version,

will I be happy with the $50 version???

Thanks

[Rowdie]

I bought the JD2 bender and Bend Tech EZ and quickly upgraded to the 3D. If your doing any compound bends youll want the 3D. I've never bent any tube before, but with Bend Tech 3D I haven't wasted any tube yet. It's pretty sweet to be able to rotate the tubing at any angle with the 3D software and see if there are obvious problems. Also seeing the animation of the tube being bent in which direction is great. The price is almost = to the price of stick DOM.

[1tonyj]

i recommend this:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=365800

[coolcruiserfj40]

you could pm him and ask whats best for you in his opinion

[fabcam]

Here is a link to a comparison chart: Bend-Tech Comparison Chart (http://www.2020softwaresolutions.com/ez_ez3d_2_comparison.htm)

The $50.00 option you are looking at with the JD2 Bender is the EZ and not the Bend-Tech EZ.

Rowdie did a pretty good job summing it up. EZ-3D allows you to be significantly more creative in your part designs. If you have parts that are 3D (with any rotation besides 180 degrees) the 3D system is the only way to go. In addition the 3D system does allow for items such as designing in one direction and manufacturing in the other and allows you to flip the tube from end to end in the middle of bending (this allows you to start bending from one end and flip the piece and continue bending from the other). This is illistrated in the following animated picture:
http://www.2020softwaresolutions.com/ez-3d_with_flip.gif


In addition the 3D package shows an additional setup sheet that graphically steps you through the bending process:
http://www.2020softwaresolutions.com/ez-3d/in-depth_41.gif

The 3D interface has been carefully designed to allow any user to use it. We use common terms such as: to front, to back, to floor, to ceiling etc.. as shown in the following picture.
http://www.2020softwaresolutions.com/ez-3d/in-depth_27.gif

As Rowdie stated you can always upgrade from EZ to EZ-3D. I do this for the difference in list price between the 2 products.

1tonyj has given you a link for one of my dealers who is running a fantastic pirate special on the software. Being the developer of the software I can not "publish" specials without upsetting several of my dealers.

With whatever decision you make or whom you decide to purchase the software from, I look forward to having you as a customer and providing the best support I know how.

Cris
2020 Software Solutions, Inc. (developers of the bend-tech products)