Hi, Im looking to build a solsylva 25x25 machine, and Im on a tight budget. I was wondering what would be the cheapest way to get into 3d cnc software. I know I am going to get Mach3, but I need cad and cam software as well. Vectric has some killer stuff but its out of my price range for the most part. I need to make multilayered pieces eventually, and two sided objects (full 360 degrees of machining) soon. So cut3d looks like a decent option. Are there any other ways to go for this that might save me a few bills because thats $450 right there and thats still not all the software required to cnc? Any other options? Thanks, Mike

this is a good start
http://cnc4free.org/
your first project will cover the cost of the tutorial , all the rest is free software

Also look at www.meshcam

If you don't want to spend any money, Freemill will work, but takes a few workarounds, as it only does a single pass. So you'll need to run it multiple times to do multiple roughing passes and a finishing pass.

What kind of parts do you want to make? Alibre Express is free. There's an .stl export plugin for Google Sketchup which is free. Blender is free.

I am looking to either take 3d laser scans of objects I find, and replicate them at a bigger scale (ie. 20th scale car to 10th scale). I also need to duplicate items, like busts and etc for my halloween haunt. Lastly I belong to 405th forum which makes replicas of video-game armor, and I am looking to machine weapons (solid foam) off of the 3d files I am provided with.

So I need the ability to do something with multiple sides, as well as in layers as I believe my cnc will only have a 4-5" z axis. Any ideas? Would it be easier to just section the 3d model myself then dish out all the cash for a program to do so, or would it be worth the expense?

What all do I need to get? Im sorry, Im new to this... I can build animatronic skulls, facades, and automate lighting, but this is a whole new world I'm stepping into.

Thanks, Mike

just had a look at both cnc4free and meshcam and both look very promising. Is that only a limited time thing for meshcam to be $175 right now? Or is that an advertisement that is constantly up there? Seems like a good price and with that I dont need Mach3 do I? Or does Mach3 run off of the g-code meshcam provides? I see that it does 2 sided objects which is a main concern, but no note about doing things in multiple pieces for things thicker than my cnc can handle... any suggestions?

MeshCAM creates the g-code, that Mach3 uses to run the machine.

The MeshCAM special runs pretty much all the time I think, but the price has increased periodically. Download the demo and give it a try. It's a timed demo, but if you need more time, email Robert, the developer, and he'll extend it for you. It should be all you need to create your code, provided you're models are in the proper format. You can scale the models in MeshCAM, too.

Oh yeah, it does do slicing for thicker objects.

Great, thanks! Now I just have to get my machine up an running and test it out. Any easy to use CAD software out there for not too much? (I know easy and CAD is an oxymoron but still). Also, on top of vertical portioning of the model, can it do it horizontally, ie the object is over the 25inch length supported by my router, can I make it into two halves the other way as well? Or should I edit the model? Or take another approach all together and build a bigger table?

Mach3 seems a bit intimidating for me at this moment, but I think I can get it down eventually. I am more of a hands on guy, so doing this all via a comp that I usually only use to program lights and skull movements is a bit over my head, but seems like an amazing project.

Also, on top of vertical portioning of the model, can it do it horizontally, ie the object is over the 25inch length supported by my router, can I make it into two halves the other way as well? Or should I edit the model? Or take another approach all together and build a bigger table?

Either split the model in half, or build the bigger router. :)

What do you plan on modeling, and how much is not too much?

Well, mainly to design simple 2d plates and components to cut out of plexi for my skulls, and something that I can split a model into pieces with since I cant afford a larger machine at this point. Plans say ~250 for the table plus 350 for 305oz 3 axis kit. So with Mach3 and MeshCam that pushes me to around 950. Any way to keep it under a grand :) ? And I know I will probably have a min of 1500 in it in the long term, but I'd like to tell myself it will be under a grand haha.

Would a program like blender be acceptable? Basically whats the min I need to disect the models into pieces so I can make what I need?

Simple 2D stuff can be done with simple 2D CAD programs. Look at ProgeCAD Smart. You can use LazyCAM (basic version comes with Mach3) can create the g-code.
You can also use Alibre Express to model 3D parts, and use MeshCAM, but the 2D method is more efficient.

I've never tried to split an .stl, so not sure what'll work. Blender might. Also, look at MeshLAB.

All this stuff is free.