First let me start by saying that I am brand new to any cam software. With that said, I have a simple 2.5d part that i have modeled in 3d in autocads .dwg format. the part is drawn as a 3d solid. I see that lazy cam will let me import a .dxf. My question is; Is lazycam looking for a tool path in the form of a 3d poly-line? I assume that I cannot just import the 3d solid.

I tried to just make a "test" tool path poly-line just to see if i would be able to import it. No luck so far...

At this point I don't have a stepper controller or even mach 3 for that matter. I just want to try to understand the process before I take the plunge and start spending money on a mill conversion.

I can't find any decent tutorials out there for lazycam so any advice, pointers and or directions would be appreciated.

My question is; Is lazycam looking for a tool path in the form of a 3d poly-line? I assume that I cannot just import the 3d solid.


I don't use it, but I doubt that LazyCAM wants a 3D polyline. And you're correct, no solids either. Your best bet would be lines or 2D polylines, and arcs or circles. You assign the depth of cut in LazyCAM.

As for tutorials, check out the videos at the machsupport website.

I personally don't like LazyCAM, as there are far better options available (easier to learn, too)

If you have AutoCAD 2002 or newer, I have a free macro available that will convert both 2D and 3D polylines into g-code, and circles as well.

Here's a link to it.
http://tinyurl.com/cghkzp

and a thread here.
http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8226

Other CAM programs you might want to look at are SheetCAM and Vectric's Cut2D. As with LazyCAM, they both accept 2D .dxf drawings.

I'd also recommend downloading Mach3, and instal it and set it up as if you had a machine attached to it. It'll let you load and run g-code and give you a much better feel of how everything works. You don't need a machine at all to use it, and it's free for up to 500 lines of g-code.

I don't use it, but I doubt that LazyCAM wants a 3D polyline. And you're correct, no solids either. Your best bet would be lines or 2D polylines, and arcs or circles. You assign the depth of cut in LazyCAM.

As for tutorials, check out the videos at the machsupport website.

I personally don't like LazyCAM, as there are far better options available (easier to learn, too)

If you have AutoCAD 2002 or newer, I have a free macro available that will convert both 2D and 3D polylines into g-code, and circles as well.

Here's a link to it.
http://tinyurl.com/cghkzp

and a thread here.
http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8226

Other CAM programs you might want to look at are SheetCAM and Vectric's Cut2D. As with LazyCAM, they both accept 2D .dxf drawings.

I'd also recommend downloading Mach3, and instal it and set it up as if you had a machine attached to it. It'll let you load and run g-code and give you a much better feel of how everything works. You don't need a machine at all to use it, and it's free for up to 500 lines of g-code.


Im having a very hard time myself. Ive used solid edge, rhino, and autocad for years now. I finally decided to take a dive into the cnc world, but before i buy the machine i wanted to get a fill for everything.

So like you said, i set mach 3 up, with lazy cam and have tried importing several different dxf files into lazy cam. i have yet to find one that works. most of my imports have lines through the middle of it, or wont show up at all. any hints or tips for a beginner?

oh and thanks for the macro on converting poly lines to g-code. I'll give that a go as well

There's a LazyCAM manual that may help you. And always try to save as .v12 .dxf files.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12078.0.html