some very simple questions

[Teyber12]

hey all!

looking for a cheap cad/cam package that isn't bobcam. Dolphin seems very nice and in the demo so far i absolutely love it

my only cad experience is with sketchup and a tiny bit in bobcad(maybe 1-2h in the demo)- both are not set up like dolphin, and my only annoyances so far in dolphin are:

1) i can't seem to enter coordinates. it says x,y so i have tried 0,0 or 0,1.4023 et cetera. what is the "format" for entering coordinates into the command? i can work around this with 1/16" grid snapping but there are some random holes i need to place in something.

2) i can't figure out how to make it a 3d model- is this limited in the demo version? i go to view-elevation and its only x-y plane or another plane that you can only draw in the x-y plane.

Cheers! sorry if these have been answered a lot in the past, just weird for me as this seems to be set up like an actual cad program, something im not used to

cheers!

p.s. i hopefully plan on buying partmaster pro within 3 months or so for a 3 axis mill- i just want to know that i can get the software to do what i want before i drop a lot of money on it (im a high school student with literally 0 income)

[harley4ever]

Originally Posted by Teyber12 hey all! looking for a cheap cad/cam package that isn't bobcam. Dolphin seems very nice and in the demo so far i absolutely love it my only cad experience is with sketchup and a tiny bit in bobcad(maybe 1-2h in the demo)- both are not set up like dolphin, and my only annoyances so far in dolphin are: 1) i can't seem to enter coordinates. it says x,y so i have tried 0,0 or 0,1.4023 et cetera. what is the "format" for entering coordinates into the command? i can work around this with 1/16" grid snapping but there are some random holes i need to place in something. 2) i can't figure out how to make it a 3d model- is this limited in the demo version? i go to view-elevation and its only x-y plane or another plane that you can only draw in the x-y plane. Cheers! sorry if these have been answered a lot in the past, just weird for me as this seems to be set up like an actual cad program, something im not used to cheers! p.s. i hopefully plan on buying partmaster pro within 3 months or so for a 3 axis mill- i just want to know that i can get the software to do what i want before i drop a lot of money on it (im a high school student with literally 0 income)

1) Do you have whatever you wish to draw selected? Line, point, circle, curve, etc..., whatever it may be? If so, then in the coordinate box just type you're coord, x1y2 or whatever you prefer. There doesnt need to be any commas.

2) Dolphin partmaster is not a solid modeling software. You can however select an iso view which I prefer to use mostly.

Once you get the basics down, it's actually very easy and something that will become a sinch to use whenever you do.

[Teyber12]

awsome very good advice!

1) you are correct i needed to type x(length)y(length) and also start the line or w/e first

2) how is it 3d cam then? i think im misunderstanding something

and one more question

how do i delete a segment of a line without deleting the entire line? do i have to go back and re-draw the line to the length i want, then delete the older line?

thanks so much!

[harley4ever]

Originally Posted by Teyber12 awsome very good advice! 1) you are correct i needed to type x(length)y(length) and also start the line or w/e first 2) how is it 3d cam then? i think im misunderstanding something and one more question how do i delete a segment of a line without deleting the entire line? do i have to go back and re-draw the line to the length i want, then delete the older line? thanks so much!

Are you sure you have 3D cam downloaded? 3D cam is a CAM system only. Partmaster is cad & cam. My guess is that you have partmaster downloaded. What does your desktop icons say?

[Teyber12]

"partmaster cad" which i used to draw some stuff up
"parmaster comms"
"partmaster post processor"
"partmaster wire erosion"
"partmaster cam"

So i make a 2d part in partmaster cad, then do the 3d stuff in partmaster cam?

Thank you so much its very helpful

[metalworkz]

Hello Teyber,
I think there is a misunderstanding about the Partmaster CAD/CAM program you are doing a trial of. The program includes both CAD and CAM programs, but it is not 3D CAM. The CAD side lets you draw things in 2D and the CAM side will enable getting the toolpath programs for the parts you have drawn or imported.
If you need 3D CAM abilities you will need to look into the Dolphin 3D CAM program and it does cost a bit more than the Partmaster Pro software. If I remember correctly the Partmaster Pro program will do up to 2.5D but you will need the 3D CAM program to do 3D work.
Regards,

[Teyber12]

ah, i was just assuming from the website-
2, 2.5, and 3 Axis Machining W/Rotary for A & B Axis

which is prolly different then 3 axis cad. Could i make parts like this pretty easily with dolphin?:

[metalworkz]

Is that a layered assembly of 13 different discs? If it is an assembly of numerous discs you should be able to do each disc in a 2D CAD/CAM system and then assemble them. If it is a one piece that doesn't have compound angles it can probably be done with a 4th axis in a mill but may need to be machined in several operations. If it can be done as a layered assembly it would be easier to machine each part. If you have other views it may help decide how it would have to be done.
The note you posted about the software says 2, 2.5 for dimensional parts
and 3 axis machining with rotary for A and B axis
Don't confuse the 3 axis machining with 3D machining.

[harley4ever]

From how I see this, I think dolphin would handle it pretty easy.

[Teyber12]

sure:


It is one piece and made with a slitting saw. so would i have to create a program that just starts at say 1.5" diameter, cuts circle a little bigger, then a little bigger, et cetera then goes out and down say 1/8" then just copy and paste the g code and do this several times?

[harley4ever]

Yes that should be rather easy.

[Teyber12]

OK ive been playing with vectric 2d for a couple days and it helped me understand how you can cut 3d stuff with 2d cam

Ive been talking to a dolphin and have gotten great service- I have it all lined up with a sales rep and i will be buying it tomorrow

I will probably be bugging the crap out of you guys with dumb questions but i promise to watch all the tutorials 2x each before i do so and one day hopefully i can contribute back to help others