Getting Started Step 1, Design Software

[wrnchbndr]

I'm an absolute beginner to CNC. My goal is to produce electric guitar bodies, necks and components along with some inlay work. For most of this, I currently use a pin router and have a fairly large selection of templates. I need suggestions for design software that will integrate eventually with 3-axis router path software. What are your suggestions and/or what features do I need to look for in potential software. If I can't put my designs into the pc, there's no point in building a machine. I'm lucky to have a son who is enrolled in an art college and can help a bit once in a while. The CAD programs that I have played with in the past were not very intuitive but at that time I wasn't very serious about getting a handle on the software. My budget for this is under $200. Can I do this for that price?

[ger21]

If you want to carve necks, then your best software option may be Rhino. But it's way over your budget. I'll have to do some thinking to see what's under $200 that'll work for you. Also keep in mind that quite a bit of CAD skill will be required for carving necks. For inlays and flat bodies, any free 2D CAD program will work. Of course, some are better than others.

[wrnchbndr]

This is exactly why I'm going this route for a DIY CNC build. These expenses can be fairly large and unanticipated. I haven't got a clue what I'm going to need to pay for software let alone software that is appropriate. I would really like to purchase my software legitimately and have support if that is possible. There is also the possibility of buying older software. Many of the bells and whistles of current software is unnecessary for a single user with no employees and no office network or desire to account for materials.

[kilrabit]

Your son is in college, and rhino offers an educational version which is fully functional. He would also add something to his resume if he added this skill to his college, lots of companies using rhino.

[wrnchbndr]

What are the key attributes of a CAD program that permit integration to CNC? What type of design files are needed for maximum flexibility?

Is AutoCAD recommended?
TurboCAD?

Ebay has a number of these available new-in-box in six to eight year-old versions.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by wrnchbndr What are the key attributes of a CAD program that permit integration to CNC?

It needs to be able to output a file that your CAM program can read. Low end 3D CAM programs typically use .stl files. And 2D CAM reads 2D .dxf files. Virtually all CAD packages can output 2D .dxf files.

[groomden]

I can't say enough good things about Solid Edge 2D personal edition from Siemens -- its free and makes 2d drawing very fast. It is also parametric... can't beat that!

It saves as its own files format but if you click save as you can readily save as dwg or dxf or even pdf i think.

[radcliffe]

[QUOTE=
Is AutoCAD recommended?
TurboCAD?
[/QUOTE]

Both of these programs are good, I suggest that you get the latest version that you can afford. Full versions of both programs are expensive.

Latest version of Autocad is 2010 and Turbocad is ver. 16.

I don't think anyone can really recommend one program over the other, it all comes down to the program that someone learned on. The big thing is the learning curve of the program that you chose. I'm Partial to Turbocad Pro. for that is the one that I learned-still learning on.

http://cadcourse.net/doublecadxt-fre...untcode-2.aspx has a free 2D cad program call DoubleCad Xt. They claim that Drafting and detailing works like Autocad Lt.

Harold

[dertsap]

this is a nice program http://www.punchcad.com/products/viacad2d3d.htm
if you hit ebay then you can get the previous version (version 5) for around $30

[rlwoodjr]

I use ProE at work so I know it well. I am using Gmax with the CNC tool kit. It has a learning curve...but I like the flexibility to get it to do what I want. Both are free.

An example is:
You can import dxf's into Gmax and others and make G-code, but it makes a mess of it. However with Gmax you can re-number the splines so that the tool path, when generated is optimized.

So you have to know more about what you are doing, but with that comes the flexibility to modify. I am just learning, but my experience has been positive so far.

[TOTALLYRC]

Originally Posted by dertsap this is a nice program http://www.punchcad.com/products/viacad2d3d.htm if you hit ebay then you can get the previous version (version 5) for around $30

I use version 6 3d. $99 at Staples. You can also try the online demo for free.
It works very well for the 2d work and is very capable of 3d such as the guitar neck you are looking to do.

I found the interface to Autocad and it's clones to be so non user friendly as to be unbearable. I also bought turbo cad 12 I think, same problem.

Viacad imports and exports a bunch of files types so it is very competition friendly.

Mike

[blasttiod]

Hi, I'm also interested in making guitars. My question is do I need to beable to play one in order to make them ?.