Hi all. Complete newbie

Hi everyone.
I'm completely new to cnc.
I enjoy woodworking as a hobby, using recycled pallet wood usually.
Have done some attempts at making signs with a hand held engraver/carver machine, similar to a Dremel.
Bought a chinese 3018 machine with a 300mm x 160mm work table.
Have it all running and have played with test files. (3, not very exciting).
I've got the hang of setting it up, such as home and z axis setup etc.
I've been playing with looking up some g code and trying small commands and seems to work fine. I am struggling with finding the best way to add, say, text or simple shapes etc into .nc files to run on it.
I am using a laptop running Windows 7, and using Candle software that came with the machine.
Any help would be fantastic. Thanks
Bob

I know some people do it but writing gcode to create shapes can be hard work. Sounds like you need some CAD/CAM software to help you out.

Fusion360 is free for home users and allows you to draw shapes and text in the CAD side of the software, and then create tool paths and export gcode in the CAM side of the software.

If ‘Candle’ is machine control software that should read in the gcode file and control the machine.

Have a look at NYCCNC YouTube channel or website for help getting started with Fusion360.

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks routercnc.
Yes, 'Candle' is machine control and works fine. Have used the 3 test files, plus i can control it manually with no problems.
I think part of my problem is my laptop is quite old, so its not compatible with some of the software, as I tried to install Fusion360, but my machine is 32 bit and Fusion360 only runs on 64 bit pc. I am hoping to borrow a newer laptop tonight, so will try that.

I sort of get it in principle, but not been able to get it to run yet. Little bit frustrating....

Thanks for your help.


Bob