I am interested in doing a simple sign.. i.e.. My name.. i would like to have it in relief: that is, i would like to route away everything but my name, so it stands out. Is there a way of doing this without spending a fortune?

I have Corel 10, Mach 3, access to (possibly) Bobcad and mastercam9 (Depends on whether my friend's boss will allow me access to the systems after hours or not.. still waiting on an answer on that one, so I guess i should assume that bobcad & mastercam are out for now..)

I do have DanCad/Cam, but have not spend much time with it ..

My questions is.. what would be the easieest and/or least expensive method. I have virtually NO funds left after building my machine, and what i do have will be going towards registering Mach3 in a few weeks..

Thanks for any information and/or suggestions..

Eddie Miller


BTW.. the outline of the letters is easy using DeskEngrave, Coreltrace, etc, but how do i create a toolpath that pockets everything OTHER than the letters?

In Corel, draw a series of parallel lines for the "pocketing" toolpaths, and put them on a seperate layer. Trim the lines at the letters. Import into Mach3, set up your layer depths and route. You might have an easier time by just exporting the text, and using a CAD program to draw the pocketing paths. A9CAD is free at www.a9tech.com

Also, download LazyCAM at www.machsupport.com , it's Mach3's new importer. Watch the video too.

You mean like this? http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55692

Gerry with all due respect you are not going to get great results like you see in this this link with Corel Draw. You need some good CAM and at $599 for VCarve Pro it is the most cost effective way to go from design to finished wood part for the beginner. :D

He said he had no money to spend; I told him how to do it with what he had. And I do have V Carve Pro, btw. :)

Gerry,

I understand but without those 3D Z axis ramping moves with the V bit tool you won't achieve a good finish on the letters. You're right about the Corel Draw method but in the hands of a newbie? Most likely he will end up with gaps and overcutting into the letters. I think it is worth it to save the money to get the VCarve Pro to eliminate the hassle. Hey esmiller, PM me and I will write to code for you for free. :D

http://cnc4free.org/
pay the guy 20 bucks for his tutorial and you'll have more than enough ammo to start with and get professional results

This is a 2 year old thread, btw.

This is a 2 year old thread, btw.

lol. :D

suppose he must have found what he was looking for by now