Software, Z-axis - Graphics vs. Text

[WadeConner]

Hello all,

I'm fairly new to the cnc wood routing. I just got my home designed/build cnc router completed and now trying to figure out the best software etc. to use. I've settle on TurboCNC as it seems to be the most reliable and the fastest.

My intent is to sell signs that have text and/or graphics on them.

I'm using Zone4 for my graphic package as It's fairly cheap ($49) and seems to go head to head with Corel draw pretty well.


After creating my files in Zone4, I export them as a .dxf

I then use Ace to convert the .dxf to a g-code file.

As you all know, vector graphics can be much more detailed than text.
so like wise, you don't want to cut very deep for graphics as compared to text.

How do you all deal with this problem? In other words:

I want to include both graphics & text on my sign, but want the text to be much deeper than the graphics. Right now I'm simply saving out the graphics & text as separate files and running them in turbocnc sequentially.

I'm wondering if this is where Autocad comes in with different layers etc. Maybe you can set the text to a different layer than the graphics along with their corresponding depth.

What are some of the methods you all use?

Thanks,

Wade

p.s. I plan on posting pictures of my MDF router from start to finish as soon as I get the time!! I've spent every free minute since x-mas working on this. I wonder sometimes if my wife still knows my name!

[JOE65]

You need to do two things.

1) Put graphics on one layer and text on another.
2) Draw or move your objects to various z depths
(say top of stock at 0 graphics at -.2 and text at -.3)

I don"t know if your software can do this.

If you want send me your .dxf and maybe I could do #1 and 2 for you and send back.