I don't want to learn G-code

[xyz100]

Just kidding.

However here is a question. I need to mill a 3D shape. Let's say a car model. I would go and create a model with 3D software tool (3D Studio, Rhino, etc.). What is next? How do I get a G-code capable of rough milling and fine milling afterwards?

What is the process flow/ software recommendations?

I understand that there are G-code post-processors to convert 3D design into G-code. However I am not sure the code produced will be sutable for machinning.

Thanks.

[vacpress]

3D Design Software (3DCAD)> GCode Generation\programming (CAM)> Post Processor (usually built into the CAM software)> CNC Controller

For hobby-level CAM, Look into deskproto or visualmill.. Both will let you 'try for free', and both will do 3-axis 3D parts... this is the easiest way.. alternately, there is an 'all in one' solution for most popular 3D design applications.

So, a cheap\free path would be... alibre design student version into deskptoto, into turboCNC, or if the part is simple, a demo version of mach2,mach3, etc...

Good Luck.

[ger21]

Deskproto is around $1200, Visual Mill around $5000


www.meshcam.com

[vacpress]

i suppose i am just used to the demo versions which i have installed many times... but not recently.

and, what do you know, i mentioned bit torrent, it looks like it was edited out.. censors! weird. i dont like that at all. not one bit.

[vacpress]

it isnt illegal to tell people about the various ways to get and learn highly expensive specialized software they would normally never purchase... without being a devils advocate and mentioning the gains microsoft has made by making their software easy to steal, i will just say that information is almost never a culprit. it is the people acting on the information..

that being said, do this.. download azzerus or bitlord, goto google, search for 'bit torrent search engine", follow the links... then you may start using bit torrents,. for any use. it dosent matter if its legal or illegal, in a way. that is how to do it.. there are many ligit uses for bit torrents.

please dont pirate software, hypocritically, especially from small and indie devlopers. it is stealing.

[xyz100]

Thank you guys!

[miljnor]

i dont like that at all. not one bit.

Use a pun go to jail!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



Edit: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Edit#2: Since I didn't get to read the "edited/censored" material I withdraw my comment/joke.

My apologies, its my overenthusiastic dislike of meddling that prompted me to post.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by vacpress it isnt illegal to tell people about the various ways to get and learn highly expensive specialized software they would normally never purchase...

Nope. Just a violation of the CNC Zone forum rules.

PIRACY OR UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES: This community forum is a place for ideas and constructive participation, and not a place to violate any laws or to discuss illegal activities. This type of activity includes, but is not limited to, advocating or asking for information regarding software piracy or unauthorized emulators of software or hardware, sharing or distributing viruses, licenses, registration information, software keys, "cracks," or other information designed to do harm to or allow unlawful access to any computer hardware, software, networks, or any other systems. Please refrain from posting this kind of message.

[Qbranch]

Just get it over with and buy surfcam lol

yeah, its $25k for the full version, but it makes great toolpaths and i love the stability of it.

-Alex

[vacpress]

gerry. the terms are fair.. but.... saying "if you are so inclined, you can use bit torrent...', that provided much less info than my follow up post which you felt compelled to leave unedited because the moral\censorship issue has been raised.

i suppose it is a fine line.. on one hand i hate stealing things, especially high quality things created by people who diserve to be compensated. the other hand all software companies want market share very badly.. boeing(for instance.. whatever. insert corporation X here) dosent use pirated catia, the engineers who are pros at it do... they steal it from work.. boeing dosent ask them not to.. they know how much better an engineer who has spent alot of time in an application might be... and who is going to spend the 4 to 30k for this software...

all the same, i will not mention such things again.. i can see the issue.. it would be a shame to see some of the fledgling micro-developed commercial CNC software going around on the internet. i am not talking about stealing $160 cnc software.. i am talking about learning $5,500-ish software... but then, the technology is the same.. people steal $15 music cds and dont even realize that it is wrong...then they goto the show and buy a t-shirt..

sorry..

[diarmaid]

....What is bit torrent, I have never heard of it?



......Am I allowed to ask that and is vacpress allowed to answer....and so it begins...see what you've started vacpress!!

[Geof]

Originally Posted by diarmaid ....What is bit torrent, I have never heard of it? ......Am I allowed to ask that and is vacpress allowed to answer....and so it begins...see what you've started vacpress!!

Wikipedia has a long explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_torrent

It would appear to me that bit torrent has many legimitate uses but is also used by copyright infringers. Which, when you read the wiki, is absolutely stupid, as well as unethical, because bit torrent records users IP addresses so they can be tracked.