I don't want to use emachineshop...

[gmfoster]

Originally Posted by korntheuer Does anybody have an idea who to contact for a converter for an emachineshop file ( .ems ) to "normal" 3D Cad file? Thanks

As you have been told and seem to miss Emachine Software exists for one reason. To sell the Emachine Shop Services. The owner of Emachine Shop is a software type if guy. Hiis first product that I am aware of was the "Frog" , which was a simple one axies stepper driver for small lathes. With it you could thread on a Sherline or Taig and Jim wrote all the softare. He then tried to sell or did sell some toy tops for a 100.00 or so each. Then he came up with the Emachine shop idea and wrote the software specifically to support that operation. His whole idea at the time was to write a propritary software that you could use for free but that would basically lock you into his service. He had no intention of making it easy to use for other purposes. It is so limited that there is little reason for anyone to write a filter to pull it into another system and they would likely have to pay him a royality.

His Emachine shop was so time consuming that he sold teh "Frog" product line to another individual who just last year let it die.

If you want something like it then you should sit down like Jim did and write our own. Or take some of the good advise that you have been given. You seem to want something for nothing and you seem to want it now.....

Good Luck

[ZipSnipe]

I can agree with Korntheuer about the ease of emacheshops online software as I too am seeking a simple cad program to make simple parts. I,ve heard that Turbocad lite is a good program to start however I have not found a demo to download. Alibre I,ve downloaded and messed around with it for few days (it now resides in the recycle bin) too complicated , and I really tried to pick it up, it does look like it has a lot of features but being that I just want to make some simple flat parts and also a few 3d parts. And then be able to output these to cnc machine. So any thoughts on Turbo cad lite and where I can find a demo?

[korntheuer]

I got some solution online now.

http://www.geocities.com/ems2obj/

This page explains how to get a 3D DXF from an eMachineShop .ems file.
I guess this must be enough for most machine shops to make the part.

Any comments are welcome.

[RotarySMP]

You are now going to need to get an Autocad clone to view and verify the DXF file has been corrected exported.

[ballendo]

Hello all,

I missed this thread before. Having just read it, I can say that I TOTALLY agree with the original statement that THE WAY THE EMACHINESHOP SOFTWARE WORKS IS TRULY USEFUL AND EASY FOR A NEWBIE TO GRASP QUICKLY...

As Korn wrote, It works like a machinist AT the tool(s).

Although it may be difficult to make certain types of parts this way; there are a LOT of parts which fit this approach well. AND I've recently spent a fair bit of time in a shop with a couple dozen CNC machines of up to 8 axes--millions of dollars in machinery-- and these guys still use them essentially as "manual" machines. And they make aerospace parts.

So the idea of using a sequentially simple approach to both design AND fab CAN work. After all, before CNC, that's how ALL parts WERE made...(Drove me crazy to be there, though!)

As for some CAD/CAM software that worked this way: I've LONG felt that this was a truly missed opportunity for someone who's a better programmer than I!

There HAVE been some examples of "prior" programs which used this approach; ROBOCad being one from more than a few years back. MINC by Digital Systems Corp. was another, and not surprisingly it too was primarily aimed at the middle and high school educational market(as was ROBOCad).

Now we have the NewFangled--and other--wizards in Mach3 getting ever closer to this means of defining the geometry of a part to be made (and it ALSO has the ability to view current results in 3D).

Dolphin is another program which takes the "machinist" point of view, instead of the "designer" point of view provided by most CAD S/W. (Interestingly, both Dolphin and ROBOCad are products of the UK; where there is a LONG-standing tradition of small-shop craftsmanship, and common-sense approaches.)

So I am pleased that the tail end of this thread has shown a possible converter to do what the author of the thread originally wanted. I know I'd love to have the ability to offer the Emachineshop software as a standalone product; perhaps Jim would consider this?

Ballendo

P.S. As for that DXF viewer/AutoCAD clone Mark W just mentioned being needed... The IntelliCAD OPEN source project is a GREAT resource. Problem--IMO--is that we in the DIY-CNC world keep heading for Cadopia to get it...

Here's a tip: get the PROGESOFT version instead! MUCH better. 3d files which won't open in Cadopia's version open easily and correctly in the Progesoft version. (I stopped looking after Progesoft ICAD met my ACAD needs; but the main point here is that NOT all Intellicad's are created equal!)

[vacpress]

korntheuer,

You never really described the parts you need to draw. Also, you didnt really explain what sort of people you need to train to do this, how well they have to do it, why you have to do this, if there is a budge for the software. you have only said that you like the ease of use of emachineshop but it dosent do what you want.. i think that you probably are aware that making a truly informed decision means doing some evaluation.

you dont have to evaluate every CAD program out there, but it would help to do a simple 2 hour exercise and try the 3 most likely to fir your needs(personllay, i would do 5)

i would highly recommend more patience when approaching these sorts of subjects. a bit of research is needed to make good decisions! people here have spent many hours learning things, its difficult to condense that knowledge into a easy reply to a long, but not exactly content-rich request for information..

I think you should really look at the 'autocad' clone products. These will let you draw basic 2D parts, in a fairly standard interface, and only have to use maybe 10 buttons ever and a few commands. The dimensioned dxf output and probably 3D DWG or DXF files will be exactly what you need.

I would start by looking at alibre express. it looks interesting for the cost (free). really. donwload it, try 1 tutorial.. i bet if you are doing simple 2D or 2.5D parts, this software 's first tutorial will have you make this type of part (as with its older half-cousin soldiworks.. the first part tutorial is absolutely easy to do and this is a 5,000$ engineering application)..

after alibre express (which is a parametric, 3DCAD solid modeling program)... this looks quite nice to me. in fact, it is amazing more people here dont talk about it. . feature-tree based modeling is great, and if you need to do design changes, your drafters who made the parts should be very capable of making your 're-lined' alterations..

post some more info about your application.

1. type of part: really complex, or simple? things like sheet metal parts, or things with 3D curves?

2. speed of system to be run on.

3. likeliness of future parts getting more complex, how scalable do you need this to be?

4. what is your ideal budget? (has to be free, 0-100, 0-300, etc.)

5. when you say you dont want to be a help desk, how much variation in task do your drafters face? will they have constant challenges to convey your complex design requirements, or will they constantly be drafting rectilinear parts with hole paterns and maybe some weld or thread specs?

6. how proficient in drafting and computer skills in general are these trainees? do they understand drawing with a mouse at all?


Personally, I use 3D cad, even fo 2D parts. I find the dsign and documentation process satisfying and a good metaphor for the way a part exsists in both a physical form and a paper form. In 3D, this is a model, and a drawing. I think autocad calls it a drawing space, and paper space.. Whatever.

You have to calm down and realize CAD software is not exactly simple. It can be, I think, very easy to use and teach for many things, but this is software for thinking people who need an appropriate tool to convey a design. this isnt microsoft word. although, beleive me, there are people who can develop special applications and macros in microsoft word that would amaze you. obviousely this is the same for CAD. if you need basic documentation, many systems will work, incuding some high-quality free options. if you need more, it becomes easier to narrow it down to a system that is appropriate.

that is why your question is getting met with vauge answers. you feel that asking for a comparison to emachineshop's free 'cad' is helpfull, but really you are asking the question 'what are the options for very basic CAD'



Just a side note: I feel like once upon a time, years ago, I used a simple shareware CAD program that only did really basic 2D and DXF. It was absolutely basic.. like 5 Drawing tools... $30 shareware..

Not unlike emachineshop..

Personally I looked at emachine shop. High prices. But, like another user, I thought to myself 'this is usefull because it can import my 3D files, and give me 1 quote real fast... give me an idea what i could get the part made for if money isnt an option'

really, you should consider getting alibre, spending a few hours with the tutorials and the forums.. serious hours. brew some coffee, sit down and do the whole stinking thing. ive done it dozens of times.. if you tell you employees to do the same, you will have a group of people who, at the absolute least, can load the software, use a few commands to make basic parts, do the basic documentation of these basic parts..

i think another issue you have is that you spent some time putting your old designs into a program with a crumm marketing-driven output.. really this was a bad move, but bite the time.. redraw the parts in a good tool. a tool is a tool.. if its good, it serves you well. if its bad, it causes you pain and actually is worse than no tool (IE your pencil sketches!)

In fact, some documentation is quite complex, and requires both an experiencesd draftsman or engineer, and a high-quality drafting package to document efficiently.Of course this same thing could be done freehand using old fashioned techniques. Of course, the difference in aesthetics appropriate to old fashooned techniques is akin to early post modern architecture compared to daniel libiskind's post modern architecture.


Hope this helps.

Robert

[joking]

eh! I've some opinions different...
Certainly, eMachineShop is very great.But I prefer machinepier for machining and ezpcb for electrical. They are cheaper and the better service.

View: http://www.machinepier.com/
You have not to renew your CAD or 3D files before submitting your files. MachinePIER receives formats of many popular CAD softwares, such as autocad, solidworks, pro-e,master cam,autodesk inventor, and so on. Then their experts will conact with you, deal with your CAD files, and keep on communicating with you until the quotation has been sent to you. What you need to do is just drink a cup of coffee and wait for the quotation. What a dulcet thing it is!
Actually, I just happened to order several orders from MachinePIER for work a couple weeks ago.That's a pleasant cooperation.

So I prefer machinepier .
Highly recommend. Have a try!
http://www.machinepier.com/

[Mobster45]

I have read through your post extensively, have watched alot of decent and knowledgable people attempt to assist you in earnest, and stand in awe at the childish venom you have spewn.

Many viable and logical suggestions have been prompted to you in regards to cad software which would resolve your problem and your answer is always the same. Your employees do not have the capability to learn without your supervision.

So here is another solution to your problem which has yet to be offered.

Perhaps you should replace the simple people, then you would not have a need for simple software.

You can pay the high prices for emachine shop, or you can pay for the talent to operate the software. One person that knows what they are doing can out produce a dozen which do not have a clue. Hire a competent CAD operator to lead and train your team.

[Mobster45]

Originally Posted by korntheuer I got some solution online now. http://www.geocities.com/ems2obj/ This page explains how to get a 3D DXF from an eMachineShop .ems file. I guess this must be enough for most machine shops to make the part. Any comments are welcome.

That solution you are working on does not extract solids, arcs, or dimensions...All information the machine shops need for translation into G-CODE.

Emachineshop setup their software files this way to insure you will not use anyone else but them to fab parts you design with their software. It is free software, NOT open source...for a reason.