Best (Cheap) CNC Software to Use

[Stile2]

Hello Everyone,

I am in the planning stages of a CNC router.

I am planning a highly modified JGRO design, most likely using the hobbycnc.com steppers and driver board kits.

I have Rhino 3D and MadCAM.

My Question is what CNC software is the best (with price a consideration) to use with the above combo?

Thanks
Keith

[ger21]

If you mean control software, it seems that most are now using Mach3. www.artofcnc.ca
But, there are still a lot of TurboCNC users, as well as EMC users.
www.dakeng.com
www.linuxcnc.org

[Stile2]

Yes, I did mean control software (I'm new at this).

Thanks
Keith

[studysession]

Originally Posted by ger21 If you mean control software, it seems that most are now using Mach3. www.artofcnc.ca But, there are still a lot of TurboCNC users, as well as EMC users. www.dakeng.com www.linuxcnc.org

Do you know anyone that uses the LinuxCNC? I have the Mach2 and just downloaded Mach3. Even though I paid for it, would still love to learn and try the LinuxCNC at some point. I prefer using Linux on most of my systems. Ben nice to have it on my CNC Machine as well.

[Bubba]

I use TurboCnc for a few reasons:
1. It works!
1. It runs on "cast off" computers because it is in Dos
1. I get (as a reg. user) the source code so I can/have modified to suite my purpose.
1. It runs in dos as I don't trust winders!
2. It is in expensive.
3. did I mention, it runs in DOS!
4. Again, it does what I want it to!

[CNCRob]

I use CNCZeus. www.cnczeus.com

[massajamesb]

Give Quickstep 3 a shot. At 55 bucks, hard to go wrong. Only setback is the pinouts are set, you would have to do a little wiring work to make it compatible with the Hobbycnc board. I took a simple DB25 breakout board (nothing special, just DB 25 to screw terminals) and changed the wiring that way using 2 of them. I personally use and like Quickstep, it is not Mach, but, again, what do you want for 55 bucks? I also have to recommend Turbocnc. Good stuff there.

[RedLabel]

I'm also looking to try first before I purchase any software.

Since I have the Xylotex kit I looked at mach2 and mach3 first. I'm looking for carving 2D shapes for now. In hte Mach2 and 3 when I try to use import DXF future nothing happens, like it is a dummy selection(I mean you choose import dxf from the file menu but nothing happens). Is it a future only enabled in the full version?

If so can you please advice a free(at least sth that has a tryout) dxf to gcode converter(works with winxp)?

Thanks

[massajamesb]

www.dakeng.com
aceconverter, it's free, and it works. Quickstep 3 has it in the full version. And yes, the demo of Quickstep sucks. It won't convert DXf's, you have to already have the gcode made.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by RedLabel In hte Mach2 and 3 when I try to use import DXF future nothing happens, like it is a dummy selection(I mean you choose import dxf from the file menu but nothing happens). Is it a future only enabled in the full version?

It should be working, even in demo mode. Perhaps Mach didn't install correctly. However, the .dxf importer is no longer included with mach3. In it's place is a new program called LazyCAM, whixh is much more powerful and has more features. It's included in the latest Mach3 releases, and it accessed from Mach3's file menu.

[Vixon]

TurboCNC, www.dakeng.com, is absolutely the best !

Vixon

[sanddrag]

For me, there is just WAY too much junk on the screen in Mach. Far too much to look at. Confuses me. This is why I like TurboCNC. Nice clean and simple.