New ContourCAM installer

[magic]

Hi all,

Please note that ContourCAM now works with DesignCAD 3D MAX 14 - 19 as well as with the German DesignCAD 3D MAX 17 and 18, even though it is still in English.

Thank you very much.

[maria25373]

Hi, is it working with Windows 7? I have chinese CNC engraving machine which uses ISO ISEL driver, would the ContourCAM work with this machine?

Thanks a lot for the info.

[magic]

Hi Maria,

If it's ISO based, i.e. uses normal G-code, I don't see why not.

Only other requirements are that it must connect to a com port and max 3 axis.

You can download free trial versions of both DesignCAD 3D MAX and ContourCAM from http://www.magiccadcam.com

[maria25373]

Hi, it is me again. As I know machine runs G-codes made in Type3 Edit and ArtCam. I have some chinese version of Type3 which won't work with Windows 7. We have 3 axes but we use the DSP controller (I have to transfer G-code from PC to DSP controller with the USB flash) to run the machine. Do you know if those softwares work with DSP controller?
Thank you for the information, I would buy those softwares but have to be sure they work with my machine.

[magic]

Hi again,

If you need to send your machine code to a file do the following:

In the ContourCAM Editor select ContourCAM (menu) > Transmit to file...

Give it a name and whatever extension your DSP wants, and you've got it.

[maria25373]

One more question
I installed the trial versions, but when trying to start CountourCAM, it say's something !Assertion "0" failed in file ../../lib/drawing/dcfile.cpp, line 333." so it doesn't start it. Am I doing something wrong or is there some problem in trial version? (I assume you are from Magic Systems)

[magic]

Hi again,

One may argue that our error messaging is not state of the art.

The error sometimes occur, if there is a problem with the drawing. I'd have to have a look at the drawing to see what could be wrong.

Please try and send me the .dcd file at ph@magiccadcam.eu.

[magic]

Hi again,

I had a look at the drawing you sent me, and the reason for the error message is that your drawing contains a Group. (A Group is like a Block in AutoCAD, though DesignCAD also handles Blocks.) To get rid of the Group you explode it by selecting it and going Tools > Groups > Recursive Group Explode.

However this is not the only consideration in your drawing.

You must understand that CAM software can only work with Lines (sometimes 2 point lines only) and Arcs (and Circles). Your drawing also contains Curves. But not to worry. In DesignCAD 3D MAX you select all (Ctrl + A) and go Edit > Selection Edit > Convert > Vector Convert.

Now your drawing is ready for Engraving, which is what I suppose you want to do with it.

First you save the drawing.

Then you go ContourCAM > Milling > Engraving.

Click Add and enter your preferences (Layer (1), Tool (Ø2F), Depth (-0.5). Click OK.

Click Add again and do the same for layer 3. You will want to use a thinner tool for this, and you can add one after clicking the Lib button.

When layer 3 is set up, you click Generate, and the ContourCAM Editor opens, and in the ContourCAM Editor you go ContourCAM > Simulate NC Program, and the ContourCAM NC Simulator opens to show you the tool paths of your engraving. If you find it's OK you go back to the Editor and go ContourCAM > Transmit to file... and give the file a name and whatever extension your DSP will accept.

I'll e-mail your drawing back to you with the changes.

Happy engraving.