Hi Folks,
I joined this forum about a week ago and have been avidly going through *all* the information on here......WOW what a wealth of knowledge!
I am about to start building my first home CNC router/engraver and while waiting for parts to arrive I have been playing with LOTS of software packages to see what works best for my needs. I will primarily be using the machine to route/drill circuit boards but would like to use it for engraving and wood carving too.
I think I have found software I can use for the circuit boards and to control the steppers but I am having trouble finding suitable software for the engraving projects I have in mind. I have downloaded the trial versions of both 'DeskART' and 'MeshCAM' but don't seem to be having much luck when it comes to generating the G code to make the parts.
I have a project in mind that would require reverse engraving on clear plexiglas but for the life of me I cannot seem to get a decent G code out of anything. Either the software wants to produce a 'relief carving' (great if I was machining it out of wood but no good for the job in question) or it generates a 'flat plane' G code that does not cut the required pockets/shapes.
I was wondering if anyone on here is reverse engraving/carving plexiglas and if so what steps/software are you using to get your G codes. I have numerous software packages available to me to generate dxf, bmp, gif, wmf files etc. so that is not a problem but I don't seem able to find a way of just engraving the 'pockets' I require. Some of the CAM software also wants to machine the entire top surface too which is obviously not what I need on plexiglas as it would destroy the 'see through' properties I require.
Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated. BTW cost of software is a big issue to me as I am now medically disabled and on a very fixed budget so cheap is good!
A good friend is actually paying for 95% of the building costs of the machine on the condition I make his parts for him (LOL). I guess I should also say that way back in the early 80's I obtained qualifications as a CNC programmer (all hand coded in those days) but never worked in that field so I am familiar with G codes and CNC machines in general but modern CAM software is something new to me.
Thanks for any help,
Larry Green