CAMBAM - 10Bulls crazy CAD/CAM software project

[ServoGuy]

Andy;
I hope you get an opportunity to work on a Sketchup KMZ converter soon.
Anyhow, I am more than happy to volunteer to be a lab rat for your test code…


Good Luck!!!

Jay

[ServoGuy]

Originally Posted by Switcher I read on a sketchup page that the Pro edition supports DXF. (Import/Export) If your willing to cough up $500.00 I couldn't find anything that said the free edition supported it.

The Sketchup folks are none too clear on that point, but the free version allows you to import a bunch of different formats, DXF and DWG as well. I use that feature all the time...

Jay

[turbo2ltr]

Sketchup doesn't support DXF export in the free verison. Also, has anyone actually tried to draw something detailed? As far as I can tell, the program really isn't made to be used to draw things accurate down to .001". It's really made for things of a larger scale where accuracy down to 1/16" is good enough.

It would be a nice feature to have, but I'm not sure it's worth the time.

I use the eMachineShop software (free) and export to DXF.

[ServoGuy]

Originally Posted by turbo2ltr Sketchup doesn't support DXF export in the free verison. Also, has anyone actually tried to draw something detailed? As far as I can tell, the program really isn't made to be used to draw things accurate down to .001". It's really made for things of a larger scale where accuracy down to 1/16" is good enough. It would be a nice feature to have, but I'm not sure it's worth the time. I use the eMachineShop software (free) and export to DXF.

I went and looked in Sketchup forum and was unable to find any current dialog on the accuracy issue. It seems that the common practice is to scale things up by a factor of a thousand when a high degree of accuracy is needed, meters for mm, inches for mils, etc... I think that scaling up or down should not be an issue in CAMBAM. Best to ask 10Bulls if that is possible...

Anyhow, please keep in mind, the interesting things about Google Sketchup are:
1. It's very low cost, $0.000
2. A very large potential audience, including cash strapped CNC types in developing countries
3. A built in modern scripting language, Ruby. BTW: there is a Ruby script available to output your Sketchup design in STL format. AFAIK it works on Google Sketchup as well.
http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibrary...EM%5Csu2stl.rb
http://www.crai.archi.fr/RubyLibrary...m_fil_page.htm
4. Google has made it easy for people to share their designs and parts models, which should be interesting to some the folks who frequent the CncZone. That coupled with excellent sites like CncZone, could definitely be a boon for CNC projects aimed at the developing world.

In spite of some pretty obvious warts, Google Sketchup looks like a promising platform for some fairly serious CAD work. I am starting to play around with the free version of Alibre Design, but at this time could not tell you what the pros and cons are for that package.



Jay

[paul3112]

Wow what a read. Hung of every word.

I like the "Two dogs" . I also noted the removal of the udder in the logo.

Envy your skill Mr 10bulls.

regards

Paul

[andy55]

Hi 10bulls/andy,

a question: will the source be released under GPL in the near future ?

would be interested in contributing to an opensource cam effort if there are any good projects out there... (anyone know of any other efforts ?)

[10bulls]

www.brusselsprout.org/CAMBAM/download.htm

There have been a number of significant changes since Beta 0.6.
The most obvious is that I am now releasing CamBam as an installer package.
Another big change is a move from 1.1 to Version 2 of the .NET framework.
If this is a show stopper for people I may release a 1.1 framework version as well.

I’m planning to give the web site a revamp over the coming days and create some more documentation
of the new features. I’ve put a couple of brief tutorials together describing pocketing and drilling
but there is a lot that has been changed.

Thank you very much to the early release beta testers, who have been helping to beat CamBam in
some semblance of usability.

[10bulls]

If anyone has problems running the installer version, I have uploaded a binary only archive to the download page:

www.brusselsprout.org/CAMBAM/download.htm

I am not sure how this will behave on Framework 1.1 only systems.
A 1.1 framework CamBam version is still an option but will take a little longer to do.

[ynneb]

Hey 2dogs, you've done well.
Just wondering if you were going to do a video capture tutorial of how to work it? Just in case we are missing out on any features. Let me know if you need some help with what software to use, etc.

[GaryM]

Hey

I have Framework 1.1 on my computer, I downloaded Framework 2. which is NetFx64.exe but it will not even unpack on my computer. Am I downloading the wrong one or something?

Gary

[10bulls]

Originally Posted by GaryM Hey I have Framework 1.1 on my computer, I downloaded Framework 2. which is NetFx64.exe but it will not even unpack on my computer. Am I downloading the wrong one or something? Gary

That one is the 64 bit Beta version...try this one...

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Good Luck!

[10bulls]

Originally Posted by ynneb Hey 2dogs, you've done well. Just wondering if you were going to do a video capture tutorial of how to work it? Just in case we are missing out on any features. Let me know if you need some help with what software to use, etc.

Hey thanks benny! I checked out your Mach video tutorials...beats the crap out of reading a pile of web pages not to mention writing piles of web pages. Video tutorials for CamBam definitely on 2do list!

On subject of tutorials, whilst knocking up some notes on making a pocketed sign I ran into some 'glitches' which I'm trying to sort out.
That's why it's been a bit quiet from the trenches.