Engraving software

[Hack]

I have been looking to do some engraving of various materials that include plastic, aluminum, and wood. Some of the items need very small writing (1/8" high lettering). What I am looking for is engraving software that will allow multiple fonts - most importantly is a stick type font to allow the small letter sizes - and also allow me to import dxf files.

I have looked a VCarve Pro and am not really happy with it due to the lack of a stick type font. Wonderful software otherwise it appears, just missing the font requirements.

I have looked at a couple of website that include http://www.2linc.com/ as well as http://www.deskam.com/deskengrave.html. I wasn't to excited about deskengrave, and didn't see a trial for the other software at 2lincs website.

So has anyone else got any other suggestions as far as software? Would like to keep the price at under $500.00 if possible.

Thanks

Dan

[JJKPGZ]

Hi Dan
I think the best is Millwrite Engraving software, I've been using it since 1993.
you have lots of fonts and you can make your own fonts and post prossessors.
You can manipulate to engrave cylinders and arch's. Great Price too.
http://members.aol.com/m9685123/index.html
Joe

[Hack]

Thanks for the site, but once there, most of the links don't work for me.

Dan

[ger21]

They all seem to work here?

[Hack]

Seem to be working for me as well thank you.

Dan

[offroadxx]

MILLWRITE!! I second that, I have been using it for 4 years now and love it. I have been using it for all kinds of cad work besides just engraving. Very user friendly and if you have any problems you can call and talk to the guy who started and wrote the software. He is great to deal with. My .02 cents. Greg

[fivaxis]

I use the 2L one, it works pretty good. It does continous 4th axis engraving which is what I needed. Only problems are 1 when you use the program to make text it doesn't output the program properly, so you have to save the text as a dxf file and then import it as a dxf. It only takes a second so it's not too bad. And 2 in the program usually the first Z+ move (after done with the first cut) for some reason puts x y and a into it so it would leave a mark, I just edit out the x y and a.

[Tony Mac]

Hi Hack,

Sorry for not replying sooner.

We are currently working on VCarve Pro version 4 and this is planned for release in May. V4 includes single stroke / stick engraving fonts and decorative line fonts, and if you can wait until this is released there will be a Trial version of the software that you can test.

If you have any questions please drop us a note - support@vectric.com

I hope this helps,

Tony Mac

[delta33]

I am trying DeskEngrave
How do I get a Haas mill to read a .dnc file ?

[delta33]

Anybody?

[Tony Mac]

Not sure if it's the file type / name you are having a problem with or sending the toolpath to the machine?

Would renaming the file to have the required extension help?

The Haas postp in VCarve Pro saves files with a .NCC extension - would this help?

Tony

[delta33]

I use haas quik code it has no extension.
Example O00001 but if I save to disk it has
a file extension example O00001.file
I cant even get autocad to pull up a dxf from deskengrave.
It says incomplete dxf