Thread: Total newbie

What sort of work do you plan on doing?

Regards,
Chris

Most of your work will be drawn in CAD (>80%). Now you can use Vectric's suite to do most of that. They offer 2D and 3D drawing packages. There are others too and you can look at the CNCZONE forum for the vast array offered and supported.

You can use specialty programs to make parts by digitising or photographing actual pieces and have software convert this to CAD.

If you have a photo, Vectric also have aprogram (Photo Vcarve) which will produce the picture on your part- some make liphophanes of family, etc with this program.

/Michael

Hi Steve,
Windows and the software packages make it easy to draw shapes. You just click on say a square design tool, tell it the length of the sides and place it on your page. If it is wrong you can use the click and drag to resize or pick it up and move it around.
There are videos you can download that show you how to do it as well.

If you download a trial version and follow their instructions I think you will master it in no time. Half the battle with any new software is the terminology they use so hang in there as most of the actions are similar and it becomes easier the more you do.

If I learnt how to do it I am sure anyone can.

Here is a link to one brand of software and I suggest you try Cut2D or VCarvePro.

Sorry Mike I have duplicated your post. I have to learn to type and think quicker.

Hi Chris,

Id like to make some radio control plane parts, but im sure once i get one ill use it for other purposes ive not even thought of!

Seafury and Rod,

Thanks for the advice on the software, ill try and get a trail copy and see what i can do.

Well, now any kits worth concidering? or do i try and reinvent the wheel.?


regards
Steve

Gday Steve, i'm yet to get a CNC going or try any of the specific CNC drawing packages but try downloading google sketchup. It will give you a good idea of what it's like to draw in 3d on the computer. The rotating/viewing and plane concept is the most difficult part but it's good fun once you get used to it. There is also plenty of tutorials on the sketch up forums to help first timers out.

Originally Posted by beefs

Gday Steve, i'm yet to get a CNC going or try any of the specific CNC drawing packages but try downloading google sketchup. It will give you a good idea of what it's like to draw in 3d on the computer. The rotating/viewing and plane concept is the most difficult part but it's good fun once you get used to it. There is also plenty of tutorials on the sketch up forums to help first timers out.

This is the first CAD program I learned to use. Those videos are top stuff makes the newbie understand everything.



I don't believe there are any great kits out there, most here start from scratch and there are quite a few good designs here, cnczone.com has some home made machines if woodworkingforums isn't enough for you.

OK....Can Sketchup can than be saved in a format that the cnc will ultimately use?
Told you im only a newbie!

Steve

Originally Posted by sailor

OK....Can Sketchup can than be saved in a format that the cnc will ultimately use?
Told you im only a newbie!

Steve

A quick look around suggests that normal Sketchup cannot export/import .dxf files which is what you require fo CNC work (as far as I know...i'm only half a step in front of you in terms on newbie-ness!). Google Sketchup PRO allows it but it costs $495 .

However if you download the trial version of PRO you can have a test run of the PRO version and during this time it allows you to export DXF's but not import apparently.

Originally Posted by sailor

OK....Can Sketchup can than be saved in a format that the cnc will ultimately use?
Told you im only a newbie!

Steve

I remember someone saying there was a plugin to export to a usable file but cant find it atm, unless if i was dreaming

Personally I design in Sketchup and then draw up what I need in progecad which is free for 2d, export to DXF, and import to Vectric Cut 2D, export G-code and import into mach 3.

I have limited knowledge of how to use the CAD programs (except sketchup) so I normally stick to the line and circle tools.

Originally Posted by Ch4iS

I remember someone saying there was a plugin to export to a usable file but cant find it atm, unless if i was dreaming

I saw something like that when I was browsing but it was $95.

Is DXF the most common file for transfering between these CAD/CAM programs? There seems to be so many that it must be a generic file type rather than have them all accept propietary types - is that right?

And what does Mach 3 accept - only G-Code? So you need a program that can convert your image to G-Code, which is a CAM program right?

Getting my head around this stuff - bit off topic but hopefully you find my questions/ramblings handy as well Sailor

Also have a look at Alibre Design. Only AU$121 for the base version. Very easy to use. I picked in less then a hour coming from 2D back ground. Found it easier then SketchUp. Also will save in lots of different formats.
So far for drawing my router up it has come in very handy, great to model a bracket and then produce the manufacturing drawings for it.

Thanks guys, the advice is really helpfull and is much appreciated.
Beefs, not a problem, so ask away.
Oh by the way there is a file addon for sketchup that saves in dfx format.
so many things to learn!!!!

Regards

Steve