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**PsychoPig7** · 2nd January 2010, 08:27 PM

Hi Blokes
A simple question.
I have been using v-carve pro5 and the g-codes are all appended .tap, and this appears to be the standard for mach3. however - i have now purchased a copy of Bobcad-cam as i want to do more detailed items. My query is that Bobcad produces files with a .nc append. These files appear to work ok in Mach3 but i am interested in what the differences are - if any.
Does anyone have any info?
Cheers
Noel

**Greolt** · 2nd January 2010, 08:50 PM

Noel

It makes no difference whether it is .tap .txt .nc .cnc. All of these are common.

Vcarve Pro can out put any of these file extensions. The post processor controls this and can easily be edited if you wish.

What might be different is some of the gcode in the code generated by either program.

So long as you use the Mach3 Post processor provided by Bobcad, then you should have no problems.

Greg

**rodm** · 2nd January 2010, 08:53 PM

Gidday Noel,
Here is some useless history for you.
A tap file is an abbreviation for tape file and actually has no reference to CNC or NC . Yes this goes back to the dim dark ages when computer output was to tapes. It was abbreviated because there was a three character convention for file extensions in the operating systems.
NC stands for numeric code.
Both files are actually text files and can be read with a text editing program like notepad.

**PsychoPig7** · 2nd January 2010, 09:26 PM

Thanks Greg and rod - I might have known that I could and would get a prompt and comprehensive reply from both of you. clears things up very nively.
Thanks guys
Noel

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