[turbocvette]

I am building a cnc router table 5x6 actual size. I am planning ahead and would like to know what is a good software cadcam to start with. I will be routing flat sheets of acrylic primarily. I think a 2d software would probably work but i do not know how the z axis would know to lift up and drop back down for the next cut? Please keep in mind if these are dumb questions its because i have 0 cnc experience. Also i downloaded mach3 and it gave me 3 icons plasma,lathe,and milling. The only one i can get my motors to work is the plasma cnc? the others just wont move the motors at all?
Any help i can get on the topic would be great. I also have done a ton of research on this subject but it seems that everything i find is a little more advanced than i need or just way to expensive for me to try. Thanks for any help!!

[valmet58]

for a starter you could try cut2d..could also try deskcnc..

[aarggh]

You'll want to use the milling option on Mach3, and I'd check their site and also youtube for training videos. Mach3 (along with Linux CNC) is the defacto controller for the majority of most CNC builds here. There's heaps of videos that describe how to tune the steppers, what speed setting and calculations to use, etc.

If your after a 2.5D CAM program to generate the gcodes required by the CNC controller, there's many options, probably the best and easiest (but a little pricey) would be the Cut2D/Cut3D products by Vectric, but there's also ones like EstlCAM by Christian Knull which at $50 is about the cheapest capable program around.

cheers, Ian

[aphexart]

Maybe cut 2D. I use Alphacam but it might be out of your price bracket.