green need help chossing software

[highwayman]

im converting a jet jmd18 to cnc but i dont have any idea what software i will need ive never used any cad or cam or cnc anything before so i could use some help finding easy to learn software. at this poijnt easy to learn and impliment is more important than extra features

[murphy625]

When I got into this, I knew nothing about CNC machines...

(I still dont!!! LOL)

But I know how the software works now because I use it to control a machine with CNC logic type control / operations

Check out cnccontrols.com The software is called CamSoft Once you learn it, its fairly easy.

There are other software packages out there also but the camsoft is the only one I am familiar with.

Murphy

[Bubba]

HighwayMan,
My personal preferences (because this is what I have)
Autocad (to do the drawings) Most any cad will work, but this is what I have always used
SheetCam (to convert the dxf files from autocad to Gcode)
TurboCnc for my controller (because I don't trust windows and I like dos AND I can use a cheap computer to run it)

There are many combinations available, and like Ford and Chevy, everbody will have their preference and a good (to them) reason why their system is best.

[ViperTX]

Bubba,

You are so sensible and down to earth.....my experience is that AutoCad has a severe price tag and learing ramp....somewhat like Highwayman I'm looking for something besides pad and pencil to draw stuff so I can CNC it....and I'm hurting....

[Bubba]

ViperTx,
Yes, it can be expensive. But some years ago because of a job that I had, I bought LT and it does what I need. In the business that I was in (Fire Protection), autocad was the ?standard? and to be able to ?trade? files, you did what you had to do. Over the years, I have had occasion to work with several different cad programs and ?basically? the features are similar. After all, MOST of what we do to generate G-code files is simply lines and circles. At the hobby level, I doubt I will be doing a lot of 3D programming and contouring. For my system, all I need is something that will save the file as a dxf so it can be imported into SheetCam and there are several programs (and some are not that expensive) that will do an admirable job. In the SheetCam group, I notice many use Corel Draw, DolphinCad recently had a promotion for its PartCad system and is a free download. I have ?played? with this program a little bit and find the functions are very close to what I am used to in acad.
Many of us are in a learning curve for many of the processes involved for this new and fascinating hobby. A year ago, I was aware of G-code, but it was greek to me. Today thanks to an inquisitive mind and a lot of time; not only can I make parts on my converted mill/drill, I can design them from the ground up! All it takes is an ?I can do it!? attitude. If you say I can?t, I can pretty well guarantee you failure. If you say I can, then you might fail, but chances are you will make it or at least learn a heck of a lot along the way.
This group and others have given me many ?mentors? and instructors to help me along the way when I stumble. But that is also why I try to answer some peoples questions like this thread as ?I have been there, done that? and try to give back some of the benefits of my experiences. Ok, some are biased opinions. But all of us are like that. Some like Ford, and some Chevy. I started down the path as listed for various reasons and will continue that way until 1) I find it no longer suits my needs. 2) Something else looks better. Or 3) I am forced to change because the software/hardware will no longer perform as advertised. An example of the latter might be that I run out of ?junk? computers with parallel ports and can no longer run TurboCnc as it now exists . In that case, who knows what will be available? Things are already progressing in that direction as evidenced by Mariss and his Gecko 200x black box approach.
Just some food for thought.

[ger21]

Try the free CAD from http://www.a9tech.com/products/a9cad/ and the Free ACE to generate g-code from http://www.dakeng.com These should get you started, and you'll only be out your time if you want to try other CAD programs. You might also look at TurboCAD and DesignCAD. http://www.imsisoft.com

You might also want to look at SheetCAM, from http://www.sheetcam.com if you need more power than ACE offers. ANd RHino for more powerful CAD. http://www.rhino3D.com

If you have a bigger budget, look at Rhino