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  1. #1
    dudz's Avatar
    Lives in Dunedin, New Zealand. Last Activity: 06-02-2023 Has been a member for 9-10 years. Has a total post count of 275. Received thanks 2 times, giving thanks to others 69 times.
    I have bought a Used 3 axis CNC/router. I am going to use the 2.2kw Chinese Spindle and VFD.

    Please can someone advise me to which 2D design software to use with Mach3 ? I would also like to use free online Cad files to make stuff too, so I guess I need software that converts these files to G code ?
    Please bear with me, I am new to CNC/router software.

    I want to mill small pieces of Alu and wood and engrave some work.

  2. #2
    this seems to be the one area thats lacking both discussions and tutorials... how do u get your drawing down and then transfer it to your machine???

  3. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by dudz View Post
    I have bought a Used 3 axis CNC/router. I am going to use the 2.2kw Chinese Spindle and VFD.

    Please can someone advise me to which 2D design software to use with Mach3 ? I would also like to use free online Cad files to make stuff too, so I guess I need software that converts these files to G code ?
    Please bear with me, I am new to CNC/router software.

    I want to mill small pieces of Alu and wood and engrave some work.
    I started using V-Carve pro which has a free download and virtual code run, to see what it will make in three Dee, as for Mach3 i just made lots of files to get the part i needed and once i was satisfied i Bought the sorfware, best thing i ever did... easy to learn how to use it ...you tube tutorials.. Magic..

    Rick
    Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other - Abe Lincoln

  4. #4
    If you're after free software then for 2.5D machining and engraving then CAMbam free edition is pretty good. You'll be able to import drawings from most programs into it since it accepts .dxf format.
    For more complicated 3D parts your options are more limited, CNC Toolkit is one which can do just about anything (3D models, V-carving etc) but isn't the easiest to use.

    To control the machine LinuxCNC is excellent and contrary to popular belief, is no longer hard to configure. If you need help with any of these programs just ask...
    Old router build log here. New router build log here. Lathe build log here.
    Electric motorbike project here.

  5. #5
    Did you get my PM Wilfy? Can't speak for dedicated cnc stuff but any design program like corel or illustrator will produce vector files which can be exported as a dxf file. A cam program such as cambam or lazycam to produce the gcode & then mach3 to run the g code which the machine understands. Depends what you want to do really, some software is really easy to use other software is more difficult to learn but is far more versatile. Jonathan says there is a free version of cambam & lazycam is free from arcsoft but don't think there is that much support for it so you may be on your own learning how to use it.

  6. #6
    If you want to do your own drawings then Draftsight is free and almost as good as AutoCAD.
    Neil...

    Build log...here

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by njhussey View Post
    If you want to do your own drawings then Draftsight is free and almost as good as AutoCAD.
    Yes but how easy is it to learn & are there tutorials available for it Neil, I'm lucky in that I can just use my signmaking software so that's at least one thing i won't have to learn lol.
    Suppose it is down to each individual but personally I am prepared to pay a reasonable price for software if it comes with the right support especially if it is going to be used to make money.

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by martin54 View Post
    Yes but how easy is it to learn & are there tutorials available for it Neil, I'm lucky in that I can just use my signmaking software so that's at least one thing i won't have to learn lol.
    Suppose it is down to each individual but personally I am prepared to pay a reasonable price for software if it comes with the right support especially if it is going to be used to make money.
    I still think you should have a look here...

    Download Trial Versions and Tutorials

    There are video Tutorials to get you started on the sample files and you can import DXF files easily. its a really magic program although not for everyone you can be cutting to see how you feel about it long before you part with any money.. Whats it going to cost you?? and although it seems like it is for wood that isnt the case

    Rick
    Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other - Abe Lincoln

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Ricardoco View Post
    I still think you should have a look here...

    Download Trial Versions and Tutorials

    There are video Tutorials to get you started on the sample files and you can import DXF files easily. its a really magic program although not for everyone you can be cutting to see how you feel about it long before you part with any money.. Whats it going to cost you?? and although it seems like it is for wood that isnt the case

    Rick
    So what are you suggesting rick, sorry must be an old age thing lol. Are you suggesting that I use cut2d to generate the g code instead of something like cambam or lazycam. Quite happy to look at anything that people suggest as you say it doesn't cost anything to have a look & I might find I get on better with that than something else.
    Lazycam came free with mach3 but I have to be honest & say that I haven't really looked at either of them yet, I did read that there was next to no support with lazycam so maybe not the best, still need to get the machine finished yet so no big rush to just now.

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by martin54 View Post
    So what are you suggesting rick, sorry must be an old age thing lol. Are you suggesting that I use cut2d to generate the g code instead of something like cambam or lazycam. Quite happy to look at anything that people suggest as you say it doesn't cost anything to have a look & I might find I get on better with that than something else.
    Lazycam came free with mach3 but I have to be honest & say that I haven't really looked at either of them yet, I did read that there was next to no support with lazycam so maybe not the best, still need to get the machine finished yet so no big rush to just now.
    Well you can try Cut3d but I used Vcarve first and it did all the ali parts for one of my mills and it was easy to learn, Its about the easiest one i came across because the tutorials were great and the support from the company was great too and that was before i even bought the full version of V-carve.

    As far as im concerned it let me generate g-code for mach3 without the huge learning curve, and with the toolpath simulation being built in i got to see what it cut before it even got to mach3

    Its best to just have a look at what people have been making and down load a copy to have a play with im sure you wont be dissapointed but if its not for you then you have lost nothing, as i said its not for everyone..

    Its also good for doing the designs in the vcarve program itself if you havnt got a dxf file

    Rick
    Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other - Abe Lincoln

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