I have a HAAS VF2 and I have Bob-cad 21 (don't know how to use yet, new to programming) and have Surfcam 99 ( fellow worker is trying to teach me Surfcam on our lunch breaks)
anyway trying to do some sign making and all i seem tobe able to find in Surfcam is double line text! is ther some shareware single line text out there or simple program that will convert ttf text to G-code?
thanks Pat

061123-1352 EST USA

patgp:

Newer HAAS machines have built-in text capability, although limited.

You need to define or show a picture of what you want to do.

At my web site www.beta-a2.com on the Miscellaneous Photos page are text examples. See photos P7, P9-P11. These were done with Mastercam except P11 which used our own software.

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[EMAIL="patgp@citlink.net...... don't know how to insert a file here!

061123-1642 EST USA

patgp:

What kind of file?

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Truetype fonts are always closed loops, so you can't cut them single line. If you have Surfcam (or even Bobcad, I guess) you can cut those as pockets (you need a program that will convert the TT fonts to curves like Rhino). Otherwise, there are a few single line fonts out there that might be able to find on the net, made for engraving. --ch

061123-1642 EST USA

patgp:

What kind of file?

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DXF or cad, iges! just don't see where it says add file or attachment!!

You need to hit the "go advanced" button, then you will have more options at the top pf the message box, one of them is the paper clip for attaching files. --ch

yes I know, the Haas's at work have that, but that is like 95 and newer Machines and mine is a 94 and the person who order it didn't get that option!:-(, and it's a three thousand dollar upgrade! I don't do work for money at home its all hobby stuff and for friends that have a need for something I can make for them



061123-1352 EST USA

patgp:

Newer HAAS machines have built-in text capability, although limited.

You need to define or show a picture of what you want to do.

At my web site www.beta-a2.com on the Miscellaneous Photos page are text examples. See photos P7, P9-P11. These were done with Mastercam except P11 which used our own software.

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ok! figured out the file thing! heres the file and I'm trying to make these letters abour .5 in hieght, in a old west type font and likea .5 thick!

patgp:

What kind of file?

.[/QUOTE]

061124-1142 EST USA

patgp:

Your .DXF file makes things much clearer.

This you would not do with normal engraving software.

Do you want to engrave just the boundary lines that are in your .DXF file, or do you want to pocket out the interior or exterior of the letters. Such as the license plate in my web site photos. If you pocket the letters, then the cutter diameter will determine the corner radius.

To just do the outlines write a BASIC program to translate the data in the .DXF to G-code G01 commands.

Since you indicated this is a hobby project it is obvious that you do not want to spend money. Thus, the outline method will be your choice. But if you want the program written for you, then we could do any of the options for several hundred dollars.

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061124-1619 EST USA

patgp:

Use Google to search for "dxf to g-code" including the double quotes.

The second result points to Sherline. On their main page is a link to Ace Converter by DAK. Down load this and see if it will help you.

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patgp,

go to NCPlot.com - I have attached the link below. Scott Martinez is your contact. His software will allow you to import .dxf and convert to G code - some editing will be required .........

http://www.ncplot.com/

@patgp

Hello, we're using the program NC-Font with build-in singleline-fonts. The fonts are also with circle-interpolation (G2/G3 .. C/CC) and very small on my machines.
The manufacturer-website www.fastnc.de (http://www.fastnc.de) is only in german, but try there the button "NC-FONT 5.0" ... then "Download" ... then "NC-Font 5.0 Demo". The program then is also in english. ;-)

Horst

I have been busy and just now got back here, Thankyou for the info on font!

Download NcPlot www.ncplot.com like suggested, its free beta. Very easy to convert your dxf to g-code, then scale to size, all inside NcPlot. :)



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Your dxf converted to g-code not scaled yet.


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thanks!