Cad Help please - Cut2D

**steve123** · 13-02-2010

Originally Posted by John S

Cut2D exports to Mach fine, although I have a few cad / cam programs I use cut2D for a lot of simple stuff like panel cutouts because it's so quick.

As regards 3D programs, there isn't an easy one because it's a frame of mind and you have to see and think in 3D.
There is no proper 2D to 3D converter because how does it know the profile of the Z or vertical shape from a 2D drawing.
Most 3D programs however do work very similar to this in that you darw a shape [ 2D ] and extrude it into 3D.

Alibre has a free downlaod of a working program called Alibre Expres, the starter version is about £99 which believe me is cheap, Solid Works, the industry leader, is about £5K

Thanks for the reply John,I will have a look at Alibre.on the converter side of things, I was thinking maybe there was a program that you could draw in 2D then pull the Z up to were you want it.

Steve.

**John S** · 13-02-2010

If it's a simple shape, box etc then that's how Alibre works but if it's say a curved surface like a wing shape it doesn't know where to get the curved surface from.

If you are a complete beginner it's best to learn to use 3D from the start, then you can automatically get 2D from it for a CNC etc.

Going from 2D to 3D is a lot harder because you have to unlearn a lot of how you work and learn new ways, old dog , new tricks etc.

.

**steve123** · 13-02-2010

Originally Posted by John S

If it's a simple shape, box etc then that's how Alibre works but if it's say a curved surface like a wing shape it doesn't know where to get the curved surface from.

If you are a complete beginner it's best to learn to use 3D from the start, then you can automatically get 2D from it for a CNC etc.

Going from 2D to 3D is a lot harder because you have to unlearn a lot of how you work and learn new ways, old dog , new tricks etc.

.

Thanks John,looks like I have already done it the wrong way round then :-( ,downloading and having a look at the Alibre training vid's now.
Steve.

**Robin Hewitt** · 13-02-2010

Presuming you're after 2.5D rather than 3D.

Alibre does it as a series of parallel cuts, moving the tool vertically as it goes. Good for making pretties but I prefer something that will follow an edge.

Gsimple is free and, well, simple. Not without vices and insists on cutting outlines uphill, inlines downhill. Does excess removal but assumes a rectangular block.

CamBam has a steeeper learning curve and insists on you redefining the tool for every single blooming cut, lots of potential for error if you want to change your mind on the tool size. Cuts uphill/downhill as you like but I haven't managed to figure out excess material removal yet.

BobCAD seems popular but the learning curve is alarming. So is the price, but if you download the demo a salesman will call some time later and offer you a amazing deal.

There are a lot of them out there but they never quite seem to do everything I want

**steve123** · 13-02-2010

Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt

Presuming you're after 2.5D rather than 3D.

Alibre does it as a series of parallel cuts, moving the tool vertically as it goes. Good for making pretties but I prefer something that will follow an edge.

Gsimple is free and, well, simple. Not without vices and insists on cutting outlines uphill, inlines downhill. Does excess removal but assumes a rectangular block.

CamBam has a steeeper learning curve and insists on you redefining the tool for every single blooming cut, lots of potential for error if you want to change your mind on the tool size. Cuts uphill/downhill as you like but I haven't managed to figure out excess material removal yet.

BobCAD seems popular but the learning curve is alarming. So is the price, but if you download the demo a salesman will call some time later and offer you a amazing deal.

There are a lot of them out there but they never quite seem to do everything I want

Thanks Robin,looks like am going to have a few late nights with this!

Steve.