DeskCNC to Mach3 Question

[WarrenW]

Does anyone know that if you set your own cutting order for the toolpath in DeskCNC cam mode and then save as DXF, does the cutting order stay the same once its loaded into Mach3 as a DXF?

And also, can i only save my work as a DXF from the cam mode? Can i generate gcode from the work on the grid? I looked in the help file and can't figure it out. If I go to the Edit CNC mode it says no file is loaded. If I load a DXF it goes to the Cam mode. I'm not running the machine with DeskCNC, just setting the toolpaths for it and need to then get it to Mach3.

I emailed them but no replies all day. They must have taken the day off cause they emailed back each time yesterday.

Warren

[imserv]

No the cutting order is not changed in the DXf file.

Saving DXF is primarily for saving changes and additions, such as text that you have added to a new or existing layout.

Save the toolpaths as NC and use the resulting G-code text file to run your machine. Don't bother with saving the DXF.

Fred Smith - IMService
http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/hobby

[WarrenW]

Okay but under File the menu option called SaveToolpaths CNC is not enabled. The only save option available is Save Geometry DXF. I would like to save it as an NC file to try cutting before I buy this.

Warren

[imserv]

The CAM process with DeskCNC:

File Open Dxf
Right click - Select All
Toolpaths Contour, Set Depth .100, CONTOUR
View-Dynamic 3D, Left Mouse Drag to rotate view
File-Save Toolpaths CNC

If you need additional help, try the DeskCNC user forum at http://www.imsrv.com/discus

Fred Smith - IMService
http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/hobby

[WarrenW]

I just posted another question in the imsrv forum and it does not show up on there. I have no idea why.

Anyways, I don't understand what the Contouring Depth is. Isn't that the depth it will cut down to? If so, shouldn't it be between 1 to 5 or similar?

Warren