Hi,

the developer of GCAM (http://gcam.js.cx/index.php/Main_Page) released the first stable realease: 2007.02.23

Downloads for MS-Windows can be found here (http://gcam.js.cx/files/gcam-win32-2007.02.23.zip) and for Linux here (http://gcam.js.cx/index.php/Files).

GCAM is 'open source software', can be used free of charge and is released under the GPL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html).

If you still find any bugs, please report to the GCAM Bugzilla (http://gcam.js.cx/bugzilla/).

Regards,
Fritz

this is a program i beleave needs its own forum in the zone because i think this one will be a huge hit with the members here once people have a crack at it
ive been playing around with it for a while now and it is a pretty impressive lil program
i'll have to try out the new release tonite , the other releases were somewhat unstable at times but definitely promising
and the price is right

i downed this version create new project put one line and 4 arc then program has crashed . Seems it is still unstable .

Gcam looks very promising, I had a play with it about four weeks ago and it seemed very good, although it produced some odd gcode compared to what I expected when I ran it through NCplot or cnc simulator.

Making an outside cutting a square object it was beveling the corners by the dimension of the tool specified, and pocketing it did the full size of the pocket in one shot rather than roughing/finishing.

Having said that, all of the milling I've done is manual on a friends mill, I don't have a machine yet, so I'm only 'virtually' using it, so to speak.

they put another update out yesterday
still a lil shakey
they are full at it , definitely work in progress

i downed this version create new project put one line and 4 arc then program has crashed . Seems it is still unstable .
mugabe:
I have played with it quite extensively and it is really an amazing software program. If you find it crashing please try to submit a bug report, unlike many software companies, GNU software programmers welcome bug reporrts and respond very quickly.

Best way to install this? Mine has a hard time finding the dll's

Best way to install this? Mine has a hard time finding the dll's

Please make sure you extract all the files to an actual folder on your PC first. It will likely give this complaint from a zipped folder. If it still complains, then a virus may have robbed/damaged a system dll. The package should have all needed files.

I took a look at this....

Are they planning to have DXF import? Frankly, without it, I'm not sure I see the point. Is this just for another style of working?

-Jeff

dxf import would be nice ,but i don t think it s really designed to be used as a professional software , i think it geared to the home hobbiest who wants to draw up a part and create code from it ,
in my opinion there are a few more important features that are missing in the software like lead in and lead out and d comp , roughing finishing ,

with a little editing a guy can create a pretty decent program with it

It looks like it will import gerber files, which are typically used to drill/route PCB's for electronics. EagleCAD and GEDA (electronic CAD suites) produce these files to create PCB's.

Hi,

there's another stable version of GCAM: 2007.04.09

An '.exe' file for MS-Windows (zip archive) can be found here (http://gcam.js.cx/files/gcam-win32-2007.04.09.zip) and the sources for Linux here (http://gcam.js.cx/index.php/Files).

GCAM and it's source code is available without charge under the conditions of the GNU General Public License (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html)
Screenshots, Source, etc.: GCAM - GNU Computer Aided Manufacturing (http://gcam.js.cx/index.php/Main_Page)

Regards,
Fritz

Nice job!

This is sizing up to become interesting competition to New Fangled Solutions' Amazing Mach scripting tool- you can make lots of basic parts with the Mach conversational, but this gizmo lets you see what you're doing in real time with each part addition. I map things out on graph paper for my mach script parts and the visual is a big plus.

This software will be the bee's knees when it's machine catalog expands past the Taig 2019 with xylotex motors. Maybe that's coming down the road, but for now I'll be exporting the G-code and loading into mach.

Cheers and happy friday! -Jim

I was completely ignorant of GCAM's existance.It looks like a good start.

In open source projects, I often find several project, but yearn for one full-featured one.

I really like the concept. I did have a problem with creating a single round pocket. I managed to get the bolt hole patterns set up, but wanted to put a single hole in the center and could not get it.

I would like to see a element like bolt pattern, but just for 1 hole.

Thanks for the effort. Real good so far.

RipperSoftware

This is really a great application, simple but highly effective, especially for my plasma cutter.

is your next step to allow you to move the lines using the mouse instead of specifying co-ordinates? allowing more of a "paint" interface.

also, have you looked into a function to import WMF type files out of powerpoint or OpenOffice, i imagine those files are only vectors at the end of the day...

cant wait to cut something with this application... will try on saturday.

anyway great work!

GCAM is still alive btw. The latest release is 2007.12.09 and there are some new features, namely the import of RS274X (Gerber).

Screenshots: http://gcam.js.cx/uploads/a/a7/Mcb_wire.png http://gcam.js.cx/uploads/c/c3/Mcb_render.png

And the best: It's still 'open source' and still free of charge... ;)
Fritz

I just downloaded it for the first time. Trying to make it work on win vista 32 bit business - so far, seems ok, but then again, I don't know what I am doing yet.

I am happy to say I was able to design my first "cad / cam ever" part with it. A cylinder with 2 drilled holes from a square of Al plate.

It is nice to see a software designer write programs that can be run on multiple platforms.

The program focus on sort of a "draw what you want to cut and go" as opposed to "draw, convert, then convert again" is handy for a beginner hobbiest like me.

Hi,
where can I download the last release of gCam (linux)?
Thanks.

http://gcam.js.cx/index.php/Files

No debs or rpms to be seen. You'll have to compile.

This info was in the very first post btw.

A new version of GCAM has been released:

http://gcam.js.cx

Excellent job.
I'm running it on a Win Xp but unfortunately some times crashes and some times takes the CPU to 100% and stays there for a long period when trying to import a gerber file.
Any advices ?

Daniel

Another release was made on the 17th, see if that solves your problems.

unfortunately not... this version seems to be better (I mean that is is not crashing so often), runs better but doesn't import gerber generated by kicad = the processor stays on 100% for a long time and it is nothing happening on interface.

If I would upload a gerber file would help ? could you have a look to that "infinite loop" ?

Daniel

Please use Bugzilla on the GCAM site to generate a bug report and attach the gerber file. I plan to continue work on the gerber support some time next month. There are several users with gerber files that I am concurrently using to help improve the already 1600+ line algorithm.

Actually I have made some more tests today and have some news (and a good one) :
- Gcam imported the gerber from Kicad but only over other project
- I cannot idetify a pattern to reproduce the working solution (remains in 100% cpu in all other cases for long)
- I consider that the parser it is not the issue - practically the app freeze when the wizard has finished and it has to display the toolpath
I keep trying

DAniel

I have registestered some kind of success :
- I have opened the continuity.gcam project
- I have imported the gerber over it
- I have deleted the lines+arcs from continuity

Nastiest thing it is that the app is crashing 9 times from 10.
and it seems that it places operations several times over and over .
Daniel

Dandumit, I'm curious why you are loading another gcam file then importing over top of it. I would recommend creating a new project and not loading an existing one. Second, the operation looks like it's repeating because the isolationing is by default set to several iterations. If you have a 0.006" conical engraver selected then the gap between your copper traces and the rest of the board is only 0.006". The isolationing exists to create a larger gap between the traces and the rest of the copper. This makes it easier to solder because you are less prone to bridge two traces or pads together. If you for some reason do not want any isolationing then I would recommend setting the isolation value to 0. Be sure to use the 0.006" engraving tool or add your own to the endmills.xml. Let me know if this clears things up for you. I have received some kicad files from you or another user so I will be looking into those after I get the Internationalization support working in GCAM.

I have a computer at work and on this machine the app it is crashing very often (Intel OS : XP).
On home computer application seems to be stable (Amd OS : XP ) .

To import the gerber over an exsiting project was the workaround that I have found in order to make it work.

Isolation value =0 did the trick and I have been able to import one kicad gerber into Gcam.
Unfortunately the G-Code has some strange coordinate values in it and I cannot import it on Mach3.
Bottom line the load of gerber file it's processor intensive and takes extremely long.
Yes I have uploaded a file on Bugzilla.

And not the last Thank You for your effort to build this tool.

Daniel

I'll take a look at your kicad files as soon as I can. I also plan to add Mach3 as an export option as well. Thank you for taking the time to generate the bugzilla report. Each time I get these reports I am able to make the application more robust and stable.

Dandumit, I have outlined my findings after digging into your KiCAD file and posted them here: http://gcam.js.cx/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=378#378

Please read and post your comments on the GCAM forum, thank you.