CAD Troubles

[Blackhawk]

I am 15, and am going to build a CNC Router, either a stretched 7th Sojourn or a Pheonix. The problem is, I don't have any Cad software. I want to cut out wing ribs and such for model airplanes, with the occasional 3D project, a nameplate or something. Maybe even a guitar. The problem is, I don't have enough money for a seat of Autocad, Solidworks, or any of the other big names. I can afford the student liscense of Rhino, but only the expensive CAM programs can convert Rhino files to g-code, and DXF files created in Rhino are blocky and the curves don't come out right. Is turboCAD good? What would be my best bet. I friend says that I can get the student seat of Autocad for around 300, should I save for that? Thanks.

[kong]

I don't have the web adress to hand, but there is a free version of VisualMIll on the net that will accept a rhino file, to create some basic 3d toolpaths. You can also check out Meshcam (robgrz.com) which I think will accept a rhino DXF. This may enough to get you going?

[Blackhawk]

I have MeshCam, it seem like a good program. When I import a Rhino DXF it comes up blank. I got it to work by saving the rhino file as a stereolithography file, but it came out angular compared to what I wanted it to be.

[dcd121]

You won't be sorry with Rhino.
When you save a rhino drawing to DXF under autocad export options look at the bottom 4 items and change the tolerances to (for a start .001) and you will have very smooth curves. If you have the demo try it and see if you don't get better results.

[dcd121]

Same with STL files . You can change tolerances to get incredibly smooth models.

[Blackhawk]

MeshCam won't load my DXF files, but the stl files work. Why is this?

[Blackhawk]

I think the problem is my rhino file, when I render it I get the same jagged edges, while the wire frame sticks out. How do you load a jpg or bitmap into rhino to trace it?

[dcd121]

Under view choose background bitmap / place

[Blackhawk]

Nope, I turned up the rendering quality and it was fine. Slow too hehe

[Blackhawk]

That did it, in the simple stereo lithography save i turned the polygon level all the way up and it came out smooth. The render in rhino doesn't look as good as with the rhino file, but it was good in the MeshCam software. I am planning on saving up for the rhino student licensce.

[ger21]

MeshCAM only reads 3D faces. You have to check that option when you export. Polyface meshes WON"T work in MeshCAM.

Gerry

I'd go with Rhino too if you can swing the cost. I wish I were a student sometimes. Somewhere around here I've posted a link to a free version of Intellicad. Search and you might be able to find the link.

Gerry

[Blackhawk]

Well, whatever I did it works. I will check that though. What is intellicad?