Your best opensource package ?

[PyroEvil]

Hi,

I'm a newbie in CNC but not in 3D ( working in digital special effects for movie ). I want to know what is your recommended/best opensource and free software package ( for all steps ... create 3D ( CAD ) , Create G-code ( CAM ) and control the CNC )

I purchase a cnc kit from hobbyCNC and i using Mach3 demo for now with Lazycam and/or CamBam. I'm searching for a solution in Windows or Linux.

[samco]

Take a look at the machine controller EMC2

http://www.linuxcnc.org/
http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl

[PyroEvil]

EMC look pretty cool. Hard to understanding ? ( compare to Mach3 for example ). If i swith to a Linux methods, what is CAD and/or CAM softwares did you use. Because i think is a bit long to swith between Linux and Windows installed in dual boot if your CAD/CAM software is on windows. Same thing for TurboCNC in DOS.

[cyclestart]

Originally Posted by PyroEvil opensource and free software package

Open source is a much larger idea than no $. I'm sure you're aware of this, but the distinction is important. Ruling out free proprietary software narrows the field considerably.

Samco gave you the answer for the control. I'm also an EMC2 user. There's no denying Mach3 is a true bargain at approx $149 however.

Open source 3D CAD is very limited. Open source 3D CAM is near non-existent afaik.

There is a discussion going on the emc-user-mailinglist on this topic currently. One user was having good results with Salome
http://www.salome-platform.org/home/...tion/overview/

The CAM software recommended was FreeMill. FreeMill is not open source unfortunately.

On the topic of rebooting between operating systems: I don't. I run XP in VirtualBox. Files created in XP are simply moved to a shared folder.

[cyclestart]

Forgot to mention something

Originally Posted by PyroEvil EMC look pretty cool. Hard to understanding ? ( compare to Mach3 for example ).

The disk provided by linuxcnc can run live in ram, no need to install just to play around in simulation. If you have never used a livecd before, check it out. Cool stuff

Salome can run live on a dvd supplied by CAE linux. Not sure how well. 3D apps are a heavy thing to run in ram not to mention without the proper vidcard driver..

[PyroEvil]

My budget is small ( i break my little pig just for buy the basic materials ) and for now is only for my personnal use.I just want have fun with my new HobbyCNC hardware. If i can help open source programmmers to discovers some bugs or whatever a can help with too. If i'm happy of my homemade CNC ( joecnc ou lgroe like with mdf ) , i probably considers to buy something ( it's true then Mach3 is a good deal. ) or give donation. Thanks for you suggestion , it's interresting !

[PyroEvil]

If i understand for now i have this suggestion :

Control Programs:

• EMC2 ( linux , open source )

- CAD :

• No suggestion

- CAM :

• FreeMill (Windows , free , not opensource)

• Salome (Linux , open source)

[lezdep]

Salome is a 3D CAD, not CAM. Free multi-axes CAM is missing under Linux
at the moment, as far as I know. Couldn't find one so far.

[cyclestart]

Originally Posted by lezdep Salome is a 3D CAD, not CAM.

Yes, sorry for not stating that more clearly.

Forgot to mention something else. Virtual machines like VirtualBox run a complete virtual operating system. Running Windows in VirtualBox includes the nuisance, and possible expense, of registration if I remember right. An alternative is running Windows apps directly (or is that indirectly?) in linux using something like WINE.

You might be interested in reading a bit of the emc-users-mailinglist archives. Gives a bit of a feel for the community around this project if nothing else. The CAD thread mentioned earlier is the BRL-CAD thread.
http://news.gmane.org/gmane.linux.di...tions.emc.user

[lezdep]

Funny I was the one who mentioned Salome and CAELinux on emc-users list
I've subscribed around June, when I started my DIY-CNC retrofits for Sherline
machines. I've been evaluating different free 3D CAD programs since 2006, I think.
Now issue is with free CAM system. So far could not find decent one.

[PyroEvil]

Someone try Cambam ?
It's a good one ?

[Dan Falck]

http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?Cam

There are some dxf to gcode translators listed that might be helpful for simple tool paths.

Dan