[FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Posted on the FRC Blog, 12/20/16: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotic...chers-software

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I'm so happy that they are releasing these PDVs early. We can order these in the next few days and get them all before build season starts or in the first couple of weeks. In the past we wouldn't get some things quickly enough to actually use them until the next season.

Thanks FIRST.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

We're considering switching to Solidworks this year as one of the classes in the school has started using it as well. I don't see an obvious link on the solidworks page to apply for team software -- any teams that have done it, is that the "apply for sponsorship" link?

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Solidworks has a link for to apply for licenses and more information at solidworks.com/first. You should receive an email with license information in around a week.

You can apply year round, so we typically renew in the summer.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Right.... There's an "apply for sponsorship" link at that address, but it's not clear if that's for software, or grant money, or something else. I just didn't want to go through a grant application mistakenly thinking it's for software.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Solidworks treats their software license donation as a sponsorship, and would like to be put on your team website/shirts/etc.

Last year we received a 50 seat license. That's worth a lot o' $$$

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Gotcha... makes sense at that level. Thanks for the info!

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

No VexPro motor controller voucher this year? :(

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Very happy to see Automation Direct return with a PDV, and very interesting to see MasterCAM involved. This is a very expensive software.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Kinda banking on having a discount on the American Button Machines button maker, as we just found several hundred button kits for a size we don't have a button maker for, but all well.

I think having the four controllers in FIRST Choice replaced that.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I tend to agree with Nick on this one.
We received 2 Talon SRX's and 4 Victor SP's via FIRST Choice.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

We got a couple, but no Talons :( I don't think that having them in the FIRST Choice by lottery is quite the same as having a voucher that has more or less guaranteed redemption value.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I agree. Having a voucher is also better for teams who either miss the FC deadline or need control system components more than motor controllers.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Does the KoP include more product keys for the NI Software? Last year my team ran into the problem where we lost our 2014 product key for DS, so we had to contact NI to retrieve it. When we used that key it said it was the last usage available for that key (3 of 3 I believe). This year we have a new driver station, so will a new key come with the KoP? If not, how to we go about getting the software?

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

We didn't get any Talon SRX's this year, we had them down 6th on our list -- we needed control components and some spares more urgently. We also need Talons too, but we expected the control components to go alot faster than they did.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

A new key will come on the LabView software package. Even with using that key on all seven of our laptops, I never ran into the use of too many keys. Keep in mind you don't need to activate them (I don't believe). You should just be able to keep the product key blank.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Also, keep in mind that the software changes every year, so you will be downloading a new FRC software package that the new key applies to.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Okay thanks! I'll make sure to activate the new software after kickoff then.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I noticed a lack of Altium this year :(. I liked that software. Hopefully next year's SolidWorks will have SolidWorks circuit design software (AKA Altium Lite)

EDIT: Disclaimer. I haven't actually seen all the features of the SolidWorks circuit design software. I just know it's very Altium based, but I assume it doesn't have all the features. So, it's either SolidWorks Xtra Heavy or Altium Lite.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I liked it as well and I hope we still get it. Will be kinda sad if we don't.

Altium has a free-sorta thing out now too:

http://circuitmaker.com

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Wait... No Bimba? Or is that voucher in the physical kit?

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Bimba usually does their donation on their own website, but I think it was announced late last year.
There seem to be other usual companies that aren't listed (yet).
2016 season for comparison

We'll just have to wait and see.

2016 KOP Vouchers on Kickoff day:
Product Donation Vouchers

• AndyMark Voucher, $450 (USD): Voucher code available in TIMS (only for teams who opted out of the KOP Drive System). Shipping not included.
• AutomationDirect.com Voucher, $30 (USD): See detailed instructions here. Shipping not included.
• CTR Electronics/Innovation First International Voucher, 2 Talon SRXes or 3 Victor SPs: Voucher code is available in TIMS and redeemable here. Shipping not included.
• DigiKey Voucher, $50 (USD): Click here to access. Shipping not included.
• Inventables Voucher, $30 (USD): Use your Team's code in TIMS. Shipping not included.
• Next Gen Robots Voucher, 1 CIM Cooler: Use your team’s code in TIMS. Shipping not included.
• TE Connectivity Voucher, $25 (USD) for select products: To redeem this voucher, use your team’s main contact email in TIMS and follow the instructions in the Quick Reference Guide. Shipping is included.

Final 2016 KOP Vouchers:
Product Donation Vouchers

• 16 Hertz Voucher, One Free Leonardo++ Microcontroller: Click here to find your team's promo code. Shipping information coming soon. Expiration Date coming soon. PDF of Voucher.
• AndyMark Voucher, $450 (USD): Voucher code available in TIMS (only for teams who opted out of the KOP Drive System). Shipping not included.
• AutomationDirect.com Voucher, $30 (USD): See detailed instructions here. Shipping not included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16. PDF of Voucher.
• Bimba Voucher, 2 Free Cylinders: Click here to order your free cyclinders. Ground Shipping is included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16. PDF of Voucher.
• BishopWisecarver Voucher, 4 Free MadeWell Wheels for Linear Guides: Click here to redeem your team's voucher. Shipping is not included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16. PDF of Voucher.
• CTR Electronics/Innovation First International Voucher, 2 Talon SRXes or 3 Victor SPs: Voucher code is available in TIMS and redeemable here. Shipping not included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16.
• DigiKey Voucher, $50 (USD): Click here to access. Shipping not included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16. PDF of Voucher.
• ECIA, Team Tool Download: Use the QR Code on the Voucher to download the 3-D printer file for a wire gauge checker. PDF of Voucher.
• Inventables Voucher, $40 (USD): Use your Team's code in TIMS. Shipping not included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16
• Maxbotix Voucher, $35 (USD): Use the code provided on the flyer to receive $35 off any order. Shipping not included. Expiration Date: Coming Soon PDF of Voucher.
• Next Gen Robots Voucher, 1 CIM Cooler: Use your team’s code in TIMS. Shipping not included. Expiration Date: 6/1/16, but can be extended, if teams need more time.
• TE Connectivity Voucher, $25 (USD) for select products: To redeem this voucher, use your team’s main contact email in TIMS and follow the instructions in the Quick Reference Guide. Shipping is included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16. PDF of Voucher.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Love that MasterCAM is involved! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I posted this to reddit a little bit ago, but I just realized there are some vouchers we know about not listed on the KOP page.

$50 Digikey starting on kickoff

$20 Clippard

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Has anyone been successful in redeeming the American Button Machines PDV?

Entering the code in TIMS into their site doesn't appear to work. I've tried Chrome, Firefox, and IE11. No go.

The code in our TIMS account looks pretty generic. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same code for everyone. Maybe it's not active yet?, but I don't see a start date listed on the KOP site for this item.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Nope, just keeps coming back to the prompt. I tried a few variations of case and added a space, no joy.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Thanks for confirming.
Maybe it will go live after kickoff.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Has anyone received word back from MasterCAM yet?

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Nope. Got a confirmation email that I applied but that's it.

I reported the American Button Machines issue on the Blog. Looks like the code works now. Looks like the software is web based, haven't used it yet.

Sent from my 6045I using Tapatalk

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

same here ...

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I just received the Armabot RS7 Encoder for the 775 Pro from the provided voucher. Let me just say WOW!!
This appears to be an incredible simple way to add feedback to practically any device that is driven by a 775 Pro.
With 12 PPR, non contact magnet encoding. We may be buying more of these Bad Boys!

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

For many years my team doesn't use the PDV's in the KoP because we are from Israel and shipping cost more than the PDV's...

Is it legal to give it to another team?

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Yes I have traded things with other teams in the past.

I would also think that if you call companies like Inventables they would do a group shipment and save you money.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

We used them last year. Can confirm. Definitely amazing. 10/10 would sense rotations with again.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Just received the MasterCAM download and account info. It's a 180 day license, and I'm speculating it's only one license. While I appreciate the generosity and I'll probably take the opportunity to learn MasterCAM just for the sake of learning it, I think we'll be sticking with Autodesk CAM. Autodesk has been a huge supporter of education, inside FIRST for at least the last 15 years, and for all education for at least the last two years, with full 3-year licenses of almost all their software titles being available free to schools and to students at home.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Same deal here, it also doesn't include any posts and just says to contact your reseller. So far Mastercam has been slow to respond to my emails about it. The support people I'm talking too don't seem to have any idea of their own sponsorship program.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Wow, no posts!? What kind of sponsorship is this? This just makes me love Autodesk even more. :)

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Not even the default posts? MasterCAM normally it comes with a generic 3 axis/4 axis/Haas/Fadal post.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

It does but I'm not really in the mood to write and troubleshoot my own for our CNC machines. Fusion/HSM comes with tons by default for free and they provide support for them if you have issues. I can't see why they wouldn't just post them online.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Posts are expensive to develop. I wouldn't expect them to give everyone every post they've developed for free. If It comes with a Haas and Fanuc post by default you've covered 90% of machines out there, with a little tweaking. It sounds like if you have something else they can help you out once they figure out the process.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I'd understand if they omitted posts for crazy multi axis CNC machines with pallet changers and advanced tool inspection or outdated proprietary systems but straightforward 3 axis posts for Mach3 and Centroid really don't seem like too much to ask for. HSMworks was providing them before the Autodesk acquisition to both free and paid users. Do they really expect people in industry to pay 5000$+ for this experience?

Maybe I'm just spoiled by the "everything should be free" internet generation but these high communication, behind the curtain sales methods just bug me. Sure tweaking one to work wouldn't take long but should I really have to?

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

Not to mention that HSM CAM from Autodesk uses Javascript for writing theiron posts. Let me adapt a post to do every thing I needed with little programing exprince (aside from very basic code literacy).

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

These are all of the posts that come with Inventor HSM.

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

HSMWorks/the various packages it has morphed into for investor/fusion is exceptionally generous then. I'm sure that was a conscious decision by Autodesk to try and gain market share because they were by far the latest to get in the game of any company when it comes to CAM. They had to offer an exceptional value when it came to the software purchase price and the extras it comes with or they were never going to get people to switch from MasterCAM/surfCAM/GibbsCAM/etc.

It is also geared more towards hobbyists than those other packages so it makes sense that they would out of the box support controls like Mach 3 (though I know for a fact there are mach 3 posts created available for free on emastercam.com as I downloaded one when I needed to use a tormach). I wouldn't be surprised if the generic fanuc or haas posts get you close enough to be usable with mach 3 either.
If you were a paying user they would get you a working post for your machine, I'm sure.

Basically what I'm hearing is the complaint comes down to "this company gave me their software for free that costs $15,000 normally and said they'd give me more posts if I needed them, but I have to wait for a real person to do that and they're taking too long because they just set up their sponsorship of FRC and don't have a good process in place yet and I'm not happy about it".

I would give it some time. As far as I can tell everyone who applied got the initial email yesterday, so I wouldn't call any reply/non reply from your reseller "slow" yet. Unfortunately giving it some time means not having everything before kickoff, which sucks, but what are you gonna do?

Re: [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
 

I got my activation code a week ago and sent them an email about then. I still haven't received a response on the posts yet. I just wish they would post at least a couple on their site or followup fairly quickly. Mastercam demos at trade shows with Centroid machines so they must have them. I'm taken a back a bit that this is the norm but I still greatly appreciate the sponsorship.

I'm going to stick with Fusion for the time being and I'd recommend others to do the same if they have a machine that is picky about its post and isn't a Hass or Fadal.