GCAM (GNU Computer Aided Manufacturing), first stable release

[FritzX]

Hi,

the developer of GCAM released the first stable realease: 2007.02.23

Downloads for MS-Windows can be found here and for Linux here.

GCAM is 'open source software', can be used free of charge and is released under the GPL.

If you still find any bugs, please report to the GCAM Bugzilla.

Regards,
Fritz

[dertsap]

this is a program i beleave needs its own forum in the zone because i think this one will be a huge hit with the members here once people have a crack at it
ive been playing around with it for a while now and it is a pretty impressive lil program
i'll have to try out the new release tonite , the other releases were somewhat unstable at times but definitely promising
and the price is right

[mugabe]

i downed this version create new project put one line and 4 arc then program has crashed . Seems it is still unstable .

[kiwichris]

Gcam looks very promising, I had a play with it about four weeks ago and it seemed very good, although it produced some odd gcode compared to what I expected when I ran it through NCplot or cnc simulator.

Making an outside cutting a square object it was beveling the corners by the dimension of the tool specified, and pocketing it did the full size of the pocket in one shot rather than roughing/finishing.

Having said that, all of the milling I've done is manual on a friends mill, I don't have a machine yet, so I'm only 'virtually' using it, so to speak.

[dertsap]

they put another update out yesterday
still a lil shakey
they are full at it , definitely work in progress

[lm317t]

i downed this version create new project put one line and 4 arc then program has crashed . Seems it is still unstable .

mugabe:
I have played with it quite extensively and it is really an amazing software program. If you find it crashing please try to submit a bug report, unlike many software companies, GNU software programmers welcome bug reporrts and respond very quickly.

[weimedog]

Best way to install this? Mine has a hard time finding the dll's

[lm317t]

Originally Posted by weimedog Best way to install this? Mine has a hard time finding the dll's

Please make sure you extract all the files to an actual folder on your PC first. It will likely give this complaint from a zipped folder. If it still complains, then a virus may have robbed/damaged a system dll. The package should have all needed files.

[InspirationTool]

I took a look at this....

Are they planning to have DXF import? Frankly, without it, I'm not sure I see the point. Is this just for another style of working?

-Jeff

[dertsap]

dxf import would be nice ,but i don t think it s really designed to be used as a professional software , i think it geared to the home hobbiest who wants to draw up a part and create code from it ,
in my opinion there are a few more important features that are missing in the software like lead in and lead out and d comp , roughing finishing ,

with a little editing a guy can create a pretty decent program with it

[lm317t]

It looks like it will import gerber files, which are typically used to drill/route PCB's for electronics. EagleCAD and GEDA (electronic CAD suites) produce these files to create PCB's.

[FritzX]

Hi,

there's another stable version of GCAM: 2007.04.09

An '.exe' file for MS-Windows (zip archive) can be found here and the sources for Linux here.

GCAM and it's source code is available without charge under the conditions of the GNU General Public License
Screenshots, Source, etc.: GCAM - GNU Computer Aided Manufacturing

Regards,
Fritz