Diptrace files and purchase?

[the.sniper]

All,
I have been using Diptrace instead of Eagle for some time now.
my process is...
Diptrace... then I use ACE for conversion then onto Mach for final cutting
My question is is cambam dip trace friendly? I can skip the ACE step
and review my traces in Cambam?

Also, I see Cambam is very reasonably priced. Do/does anyone know if The users from CncZone.com qualify for any discount on the purchase of the full version?

Thanks to all in advance!

[mlaws1172]

I also use diptrace and i think the newest version allows you to "export" Mach files

Mike

[the.sniper]

Mike,
Thanks for the response. I did figure out that Cambam does a nice job with DipTrace. Although the holes information is lost but not a big hurdle at least not yet! I wanna spring for the Cambam license. But must admit even as nice as it is. Its just another solution and in this tight economy Im trying to watch my dollars. :-0!

I have to say I give CamBam 2 thumbs up! Im predicting Im gonna spring though!

Originally Posted by mlaws1172 I also use diptrace and i think the newest version allows you to "export" Mach files Mike

[Starleper1]

You won't be disappointed with your choice. Good luck.

[mindorbit]

I was just playing with these programs and CamBam and Diptrace work fantastic together. The trick is to export your file from Diptrace as a dxf and select edge bottom, drill top and board outline all at once by holding ctrl key. Select traces, pads, vias, mount holes and drill all holes and mirror the file. I used .015" for edge width and 1 pass. I found it easier to work in mm. Diptrace will export a file with Edge-Bottom, Drill_Top and Board_Outline all as different layers.

When you open the dxf in CamBam it will see all the separate layers making it easy to select the different entities and choose different machining operations for them such as engrave for the traces, inside profile for the mount hole and outside profile for the board outline. A cool thing with the newest version of CamBam is it does nesting and holding tabs so it's easy to make multiple boards in one shot without a bunch of tool changes.

And CamBam is free for the first 40 uses.