pcm to dxf

[billgeo]

I want to be able to convert pcm file (plasmacam files) to dxf. Here is the glitch I am not a plasmacam owner, and don't have the plasmacam software. I purchased a cd of art files, lots of dxf, but tons and tons of pcm files I can't use. Any ideas?

Thanks

Bill

[jeffery71]

Bill,

Unfortunetly I don't beleive there is any way to convert them without the Plasmacam software. I have opened a pcm file with notepad and it appears to be
encripted. If you only have 10 or 12 to do I could use a friends software to convert them for you I wouldn't have time to do much more than 10 or 12 though.

Jeff T.

[billgeo]

Thanks Jeff, but I have no idea what any of them are. It's a rather large collection of files. I also opened one of the files and found it to be encrypted. Looks like I have a new challenge ahead of me.

[Aksess]

I have a plasmacam table and the only way to convert the pcm file is to use the plasmacam software and export it as either dxf, csv, "Spreadsheet text" or G-code *.*

[bbooradly7777]

Originally Posted by Aksess I have a plasmacam table and the only way to convert the pcm file is to use the plasmacam software and export it as either dxf, csv, "Spreadsheet text" or G-code *.*

If you figure out how to convert pcm to dxf without using plasmacam, or if you know someone who can convert it for me, I dont have plasmacam but i have rhino and mach3 lazycam, if anyone can help please do.

[bbooradly7777]

I just purchased one file on ebay and it is in a .pcm file, do you or do you know anyone who can convert it to .dxf, I have been trying to post my own thread on this subject but I am having trouble navigating the website, so if you know anyone who would be willing to convert it for me could you forward this massage for me somehow, I'm really new to cnczone. Thanks, Brad

[planetxfred]

You can buy the PlasmaCAM software without the machine but its not cheap I think around $3000 or so. Pther choice is to have a PlasmaCAM owner convert them for you. O am just getting to know my PlasmaCAM, I am more familiar with AutoCAD.

[plasmapunk]

NM

[salambert6]

This is the first time that I've asked a question and not sure if I'm doing it right. We are just starting our business and I found this website and it is amazing! But it takes up a lot of my time researching!

Any how, we just got a plasmaCam and are just building our website. But I need the pictures on a disc to put on our website. They are in pcm file and I would like to put them in dxf or jpg format. I do not have CorelDrawing, which I was told we should, it works better. Is there any other programs that are free on the internet that I can use to transfer a pcm to a dxf or jpg? And how do I do that? Can I get a step by step instruction. Thanks!!

[lowpull]

From what I understand the plasmacam software has a function to convert to something else. There is an open source drawing program similar to coreldraw called inkscape that probably could help you out once you have used the plasmacam software to convert the drawings.

[salambert6]

I have inkscape but it will not open dxf files.

I found this morning a free cad program that will open dxf files. I went to http://www.freewarehome.com, and downloaded cadstd lite - http://www.cadstd.com/lite.php.

So this is what happens, I export my plasmaCam file into a dxf file. Then I opened my dxf files in cadstd lite and exported it as an svg file. Open it up in inkscape and exported that as a bitmap. Open that file in paint to fill my image in and sav it as a jpg or gif. There is a lot of programs to use but it works! Freeware Home is a great website for any free download!

Thanks for your input!

[Switcher]

Originally Posted by salambert6 I have inkscape but it will not open dxf files. I found this morning a free cad program that will open dxf files. I went to http://www.freewarehome.com, and downloaded cadstd lite - http://www.cadstd.com/lite.php. So this is what happens, I export my plasmaCam file into a dxf file. Then I opened my dxf files in cadstd lite and exported it as an svg file. Open it up in inkscape and exported that as a bitmap. Open that file in paint to fill my image in and sav it as a jpg or gif. There is a lot of programs to use but it works! Freeware Home is a great website for any free download! Thanks for your input!

1) Do a simple screenshot with your PC keyboard (Print Screen - button), that will take a snapshot of everything on your PC monitor.

2) Open MS-Paint (Edit --> Paste) that will paste the entire screenshot that is in memory, into MS-Paint.

3) Crop the image in MS-Paint.

4) Save As... whatever image extension you want.

If all you want is a bitmap raster image, then no need to ever involve a dxf file, with the exception of a screenshot from PlasmaCam.