Any GOOD free cam software? already searched forum, no good result...

[effimos]

i have already searched the forum for free cam software but found some posts but no good result.

i now work with adobe illustrator to make DXF files and import them into Cambam for creating the toolpaths and G-code.
but being the free (evaluation) version it can only produce 500 lines of G-code.
this makes me have to export different g-codes of each object (because max 500 lines per export) instead of just exporting 1 g-code for the entire project.

also being student i still need to save up some money to get a licence of cam bam.
i am pretty satisfied about the software so i'm looking for some free replacement software that looks alot like Cambam.

i've tried HeeksCNC and G-Simple but they can't even import my dxf files properly... they both only import some parts of the dxf but not the entire dxf file -> see the screenshots in the attachments

so if anyone knows about other free software comparible to Cambam, please let me know

[ger21]

i've tried HeeksCNC and G-Simple but they can't even import my dxf files properly... they both only import some parts of the dxf but not the entire dxf file

This is most likely due to Illustrator's poor .dxf export. Programs like Illustrator and CorelDraw tend to export .dxf files containing mostly splines. Most CAM programs (especially fre ones) won't read splines in .dxf files.

[effimos]

This is most likely due to Illustrator's poor .dxf export. Programs like Illustrator and CorelDraw tend to export .dxf files containing mostly splines. Most CAM programs (especially fre ones) won't read splines in .dxf files.

thanks, i'll first try autocad then and test it again.

[vtx1029]

I have not tried it but mach 3 comes with lazy cam. And I think the pro version is only $40.

With that said have you checked out any of the wizzards in mach 3? most if not all of what you have there could be done using wizzards but it would take a while.

[effimos]

I have not tried it but mach 3 comes with lazy cam. And I think the pro version is only $40.

With that said have you checked out any of the wizzards in mach 3? most if not all of what you have there could be done using wizzards but it would take a while.

lazycam is realy crappy. it's a bit too basic and he does not even recognise circles when imported from dxf, he makes octagones from every circle :s

[effimos]

This is most likely due to Illustrator's poor .dxf export. Programs like Illustrator and CorelDraw tend to export .dxf files containing mostly splines. Most CAM programs (especially fre ones) won't read splines in .dxf files.

i've tried it with an autocad made dxf and heekscnc does not recognise the text and i find the program itself not verry logical, also g-simple doesn't import the dxf correctly and the program is NOT 'simple' to use. i still find cambam a better option. best to save up for a lisence key because there are no key's to be found anywhere on the internet...

[PaulRowntree]

Does cnc4free and its attachments do anything for you?

cnc4free.org homepage

Cheers!

[dito30]

Hi People
I’m Dito from Tbilisi ,Georgia
Need help
Maybe I’ll ask silliest questions but I’m too new for cnc field and know practically nothing. I already have new 6040 cnc (Chinese one)
It came with the Mach3 and it’s short manual (configuration of the software.)
The manual says nothing about homing of the machine e.t.c.
Sorry but I have many things to ask. These are my first questions:
1)I have made some drawings in Corel draw, is it possible to make mach3 recognize them as g codes?
Should I format them or my Corel drawings are useless and I should make g codes in other program?
2) maybe somebody can help me with homing of the machine 6040?
Thanks
p.s I haven't even tested the machine yet
Please answer

[Festus440]

Here is an old AutoCad trick that works with AutoCad fonts (not TrueType) as well as splines and ellipses. This process will convert those entities into lines and polylines that most programs should import.

1) Export the drawing as a Windows Metafile. (use export or "WMFOUT").

(NOTE: For better resolution before the export, zoom in close on any entity in the drawing, do a regen, and then a "zoom previous". (may not matter on newer versions of ACAD)

2) Now import the WMF file into a new drawing using the "IMPORT" command.

3) Entities will come in as blocks which you can now be exploded into lines and polylines.

4) This process usually changes the size of everything so you may need to re-scale them. Make sure you know the dimensions of something in the drawing to use as a reference, or add a line of known length to the original drawing and delete it when you are done.

Bob

[dito30]

thanks bob
wow so many things to learn

[ma1]

Pycam works for me so far (for 2-D):

PyCAM - Toolpath Generation for 3-Axis CNC machining


** Don't forget to install the requirements:
SourceForge.net: Requirements - pycam

inkscape
pstoedit
ghostscript


By the time you're done installing, you don't need any other software like
illustrator or autocad. Inkscape will be your design tool, save to ".svg" file type. And then run pycam and import it directly. It also supports
STL, DXF, PS and EPS.

[dito30]

thanks

I'm collecting the information.
Later I'll post about what was I able to do and think that I will ask more questions.
Glad that you people are so hospitable