Need help getting started with Dolphin lathe CAD

[Captdave]

Hi guys,

New to CAD/CAM and need a little help getting started drawing some real basic 2D lathe jobs. I have viewed all the lathe tutorials which I'm sure are very helpful but way over may head at this point.

Anyone willing to spend a little time helping me get going?

[Dolphin USA]

Capt Dave,

Do you have a license of Dolphin via a downloaded copy or an actual physical CD copy?

[Captdave]

I just have the demo version downloaded from the site.

[Dolphin USA]

Ok, if you open up PM Cam, then click on start a new job... If you go to the help menu, does "Tutorials" show up as an option?

[Captdave]

Yes it does.

[Dolphin USA]

Ok, the videos on the site can be helpful, however sometimes seeing written tutorials are a bit easier to get started with.

Here are 2 things to try:-

1) Close out of the CAM. Open up PM CAD, then click start a new drawing.
You should have a blank white drawing page. Go to the "Help" menu, then move you're mouse over "Tutorial", the 3rd option down. Click on "Door Knob Turn Example". If you follow that step by step, it should get you going. It's a relatively old tutorial but still helpful.

2) One of our Lathe resellers offers Dolphin software with his machines. He has created a tutorial on his site that can be helpful as well. Go too www.d3cnc.com. Click on products. Then software. Then the very first option "Dolphin Partmaster Lathe Software". Once you have done that, you'll see a link that says "Training Materials", click that. Last, click on the link "Creating a Simple Part, Step-by-Step".

This should give you a good boost.

[Captdave]

The tutorial on D3cnc Looks like a great place to start. Thanks I'll give it a shot

[Dolphin USA]

Sounds great. We're always around if you need help or get stumped on a question.

[Captdave]

After doing several simple drawings I have a couple of questions.

What all formats will I be able to save to? DFX DWG... ect.

For lathe jobs, what views can be printed in CAD drawings?

How do you add internal and external threads to drawings for prints?

Can the drawing be output in diameters as opposed to radius dimensions?

Are 3D views possible for prints?

[Dolphin USA]

Originally Posted by Captdave After doing several simple drawings I have a couple of questions. What all formats will I be able to save to? DFX DWG... ect. For lathe jobs, what views can be printed in CAD drawings? How do you add internal and external threads to drawings for prints? Can the drawing be output in diameters as opposed to radius dimensions? Are 3D views possible for prints?

If you are doing you're drawing and machining directly within Dolphin, you would just use Dolphin's proprietary formats which is .dra for the CAD, .cnc for the cam, etc...

Different views in CAD are Plan view, ZX, ZY, and Isometric view.

The internal and external threads would be done on the CAM side.

Yes, the drawing can be output in diameters as opposed to radius.

Yes you can do an isometric view for you're print.

[Captdave]

Had a little time to look at the software again. On the CAD side, how do you show the drawing in 3D view?

[harley4ever]

View menu. Elevation. Then Iso view.