sofware confusion

**craftech** · 12-31-2004, 10:20 AM

Hey guys not sure here, i have been looking around for sofware to run everything for the CNC router from designe to finish.
I want to do 3D and 2D on wood and aluminum ,can anybody help me ,the cost sems to vary alot i have been looking on Ebay and seen MASTERCAM 9.1 for 5.00$ can this be true
I need the following to run my machine i have 3 steppers powermax II 283 once i need to drive these !!!!!!!!!

I need CAD software and cam software and controler software please clarify my needs to do my project in wood and alluminum from start to finish
Thanks everybody

craftech

**sendkeys** · 12-31-2004, 10:47 AM

5 bucks can't be true it's a 1,000's . I'm sure it's illegal. It will have no support , no updates,no training, no post processor.ect ect will end up even if you do get it , it will be useless and my guess is they will just rip you off im sure if you check the username he will have 0 feedbacks They will want you to "western union" the money off to some county and you will never see hem again :P

i get countless emails all the time like this.

**ger21** · 12-31-2004, 11:42 AM

THe control software most people here use, is either TurboCNC, http://www.dakeng.com , or Mach2, http://www.artofcnc.ca

ANother option you might want to lok at is DeskCNC, which also happens to have CAM software integrated into it. http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/index.as...PROD&ProdID=37

Mach2 can also do basic 2D CAM (.dxf conversion), and you can get ACE converter for free from the TurboCNC site to convert 2D .dxf's.

For inexpensive CAD software, look at eother TurboCAD or DesignCAD from here: http://www.imsisoft.com/ . I personally think DesignCAD is easier to use. Depending on your budget, you might want to look at Rhino, http://www.mcneel.com/products.htm

For 2D CAM, look at SheetCAM, http://www.sheetcam.com
For 3D, look at MeshCAM, htpp://www.grzsoftware.com

Other option include Dolphin, http://www.hobbycadcam.com , and Vector, http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/hobby/

These are all aimed at the hobbiest/ home user. If your budget is much larger, you'll have many more options.

**craftech** · 01-02-2005, 09:43 PM

HEY GUYS THANKS THIS GOOD INFO ,THAT SOFTWARE I SEEN ON EBAY
( MASTERCAM ) WAS A BURNT COPY AND WENT FOR 205.00$ i WILL GET INTO THESE OTHE SOFTWARE THAT YOU ARE RECOMENDING BUT FIRST GOT TO FINISH THE MACHINE ITS COMMING ALLONG GOOD A LITTLE SLOW BECAUSE I AM PICKY AT WHAT I DO AND HAS TO BE PERFECT !!! I THINK I AM STARTING BACKWARDS WITH THE Z AXIS BECAUSE I ALREADY HAVE ALL THE PARTS AND THEY ARE SPECIFIC LENGHTS FOR THE LINEAR'S BUT HAVING FUN ,WILL POST A PIC SOON OF MY Z AXIS
THANKS
ps WHERE CAN I FIND CABLES FOR THE STEPPERS!!!! (LONG ) OR CAN I MAKE THEM

**buscht** · 01-03-2005, 09:10 AM

Check this thread, jfirey makes cables and they are well done.

How to build stepper cables?

**Lewis Riley** · 01-17-2005, 06:28 PM

Hi All. I am just getting started in this. I have most of the material to build a machine, several matching steppers, and am pretty good at electronics. Last night I bought a kit from HobbyCNC to drive the steppers on four axis. If I understand this all right , I should be able to buy some programing and go from there. What are posts and encoders, do I have to have them too? Or do they come with the programs ?

**buscht** · 01-18-2005, 08:41 AM

Lewis, encoders are used on servo motors to give positioning feedback to the controller. You don't need them when you are using stepper motors.

A post (short for post processor) comes with the CAM software. I'll use Sheetcam for an example. You probably would draw your part in some kind of CAD program, TurboCAD, AutoCad, Corel, etc. Then save the drawing as file type DXF. Sheetcam reads your drawing and you can apply tool paths to the various lines and circles in the drawing.

This information is then run through a post (included with Sheetcam) that generates G code programming. This is the information that a controller program (Mach 2, for example) needs to send information to your HobbyCNC board to control the motors.

**dpot** · 12-01-2005, 03:51 AM

I DID NOT NOW THAT THIS WAS A EXCLUSIVE CLUB

**bdrmachine** · 12-02-2005, 07:27 PM

I have Vector from the above link (cadcamcadcam). I hate it. I have seen this program produce G-code that continually goes back and forth over the same toolpath for 5 to 10 minutes. It can't be compared to Mastercam in any way!

Spend the money up front and get a good cad/cam package. That way you won't be out the $1000 +++ for a package you have to continually fight with.

My opinion