Great free apps and some trouble

[Parameter]

I've been experimenting a lot in the last few days with my newly built router and had quite a couple problem at the CAM level...

I tried a lot of nice free apps and as this is very time consuming, I will share some of my gem findings:

-DeskEngrave (very nice tool to create engravings of TTF fonts - output in G-Code or DXF - watch for the decimals and precision... )

-G-Code to DXF (works really well, from a post on this forum)

-Convert (the super unit converter, from a post on this forum)

-Majosoft BMP to DIN (I beg for a better english version, I'm lost at it but it works... Auf demit darnk thingken )

-A9Cad (very nice free CAD program)

-A9Converter (lil brother from A9Cad. Convert between DXF formats)

-Cad X11 Free (another free CAD program pretty all right)

-eMachineShop (a nice lil package... go get it fast!)

-OutlineArt (it puts a notice on the saved file and only saves one lines. But you can fix the dxf afterward...It does not do the Z moves but it's perfect to import in a CAD drawing...)

-Ace Converter (Converts layer DXF to G-Code. You'll learn to love it. It's free and it works... just learn the squirks of it!)

-The Font Thing (If you have many fonts and engrave plaques for clients, it may be long to have your client select what font he wants. You can print a sheet of fonts with the clients phrase on it in all the fonts selected. Just print a full page so he can take the time to chose the font he likes most...)

-TurboCNC (Well, tha CNC package for the low-level tankerer, there are many other but it stands out on price and capacity to run on old hardware.)

Yes, I did test the Mach 2, K-Cam, Delcam, Visual Mill but the demo are pretty unusable in the long term while the above should work all the time even if you use them only once in 6 month. By all means, if you like the software above and use em commercially, please do send these guys a share.

You are free to add to the list, I've seen other posts of this type but I tought I could refresh it with a clear title for newbies like me.

I now have a big question about file exchanges between applications:

Why do my DXF drawings from the converters are all-right in Mach2, K-Cam or Visual Mill Demo BUT it looks like big squares in the CAD softwares?

Even a 3D package like TurboCAD don't get it... So it is not that? Is this a format question?

Thanks to all contributers, Good luck to all beginners!

Para

[ger21]

Originally Posted by Parameter I now have a big question about file exchanges between applications: Why do my DXF drawings from the converters are all-right in Mach2, K-Cam or Visual Mill Demo BUT it looks like big squares in the CAD softwares? Even a 3D package like TurboCAD don't get it... So it is not that? Is this a format question?

Could you clarify this a bit? When you say dxf drawings from the converters, do you mean g-code? Mach2 ONLY displays g-code? If so, how are you loading a g-code into the CAD? And don't you create the .dxf in the CAD program? If so, how could it be wrong in the CAD program?

I don't really understand the problem. A little more detailed info would help. Thanks.

[Parameter]

Hi Ger21, well, when I make a DXF or G-Code with say DeskEngrave, I can load it in K-CAM (import DXF or load g-code) but I cannot load it into my CAD softwares.

I also can import a DXF in Mach2 and it convert it to G-Code... And it all fine there too... I can then run the G-Code in TurboCNC and the part is fine...

That conversion problem is really the only big problem I got for now because I don't initially create the lettering in the CAD as it is considered a raster image and is not converted to G-code if done into the CAD.

Also this is another great app

-WinTopo Freeware (to convert raster to vector)

Para

[ger21]

Most CAD programs can "explode" or convert text into vectors.

Try using A9 Converter to convert the dxf to a different format that might work in your CAD program.

[Parameter]

Tried using the converters, no succes. This only happen with files which include a toolpath it seems... argh... complex is all right, complicated stuff always get on my nerves...

I've been told to first convert TTF to DXF then import in drawing... I'll try the explode function... Thanks

Could it be related to the fact it is not multilayered DXF?

Para

[ger21]

Could you post a simple .dxf from DeskEngrave?

The layers should have nothing to do with it.

[Parameter]

Sure, here is one of those DXF file with corresponding result in A9CAD.

Thanks for the help

Para

[ger21]

DeskEngrave is saving bad .dxf files. I tried opening it in Rhino and it said "128 objects discarded". AutoCAD won't even open it.

[Parameter]

But it does open all right in K-Cam and Mach2... weird...

Para

[ger21]

Not all programs follow the .dxf specifications exactly. Some programs expect a complete .dxf file, others only look for certain info to be in the file. From what I see in AutoCAD, the .dxf is missing certain sections of the .dxf that most programs are looking for. Apparently KCAM and Mach2 don't care that it's missing. When several different CAD programs won't open a .dxf, I would tend to blame the program that wrote the .dxf.

[Parameter]

True, and since it's free I suspect it's an induced bug or the sort. This requires me to go in k-cam and make it a g-code file, then g-code to dxf and then load in the CAD... 2 more steps I would gladly script... anyone knows of good stuff done with home made scripts?

[ger21]

What can you do in DeskEngrave that you can't do in your CAD program?