what software for newbie

[oadamo]

hi i need a bit of help ive started to build my own cnc plasma cutter, but now iam starting to look at what software i can use and iam getting lost lol. whats an easy software to get started with i dont mind paying for it.
thanks adam

[ger21]

Sheetcam is very popular with plasma users. SheetCam homepage

[plain ol Bill]

CorelDraw for graphics work - Sheetcam for CAM - Mach3 for controller and you should be good to go.

[cheetahcnc]

VCarve Pro is great all around software for generating CNC G-code, with a reasonable price too.

Jim

[MCPservice]

Enroute has a fab program, that has preloaded shapes in the database, plus you can also draw your own parts and output the cam code to your machine all for a reasonable price, if you would like some info, send me your contact information.

[tulsaturbo]

I would suggest "emachineshop" cad software. Its free and very easy to use, I love it...
Download

And definitely "SheetCam". Aside from Mach3, these are the only two other programs I need when it comes to plasma cutting projects...

[oadamo]

thanks guys i will have a look, iav seen a lot of people talking about sheetcam so i thik i might get it and have a play with it. is there a guide how to use it anywhere.
thanks adam

[Torchhead]

thanks guys i will have a look, iav seen a lot of people talking about sheetcam so i thik i might get it and have a play with it. is there a guide how to use it anywhere.
thanks adam

There is a pretty good tutorial that comes with it that will teach the concepts. There are a couple of active forums for SheetCAM users. The drawing part depends a lot on what your intended purpose is. If you want to be able to cut "decorative" stuff using Fonts, vector clipart and quickly do things like wrap text to an arc or circle then a true drawing/illustration program is better than CAD. You can get into it for FREE by downloading the open source Inkscape. Les just let me know that he has improved his SVG import in SheetCAM TNG so you can work in Inkscape and read their native file format (SVG) directly into SheetCAM with full curves and good arc fitting. Inkscape also imports several forms of vector art (which most CAD programs will not ) including AI, EPS and even CDR (CoreldRAW) Files.

We include a copy of Inkscape plus 40 or 50 good quality pieces of art in CDR format on our Software Bundle CD's that have MACH3 and SheetCAM. In a lot of circumstances it's all you need to do plasma cutting either just shape or full decorative. There is nothing that limits you from doing simple shape cutting (brackets, plates, etc) using a drawing program. In a lot of circumstances it's easier and faster because you have canned shapes that can be placed then overlapped and merged (weld and trim).

SheetCAM has built-in POST's for MACH and several for plasma including a Scriber post (allows plasma and scriber cutting in the same job).

The demo mode of SheetCAM is fully functional but limits the output G-code to just a few lines. It's free to try it and even start learning to use it. At less than $180 it's a lot of bang for the buck.

TOM caudle
www.CandCNC.com