[MainelyCNC]

Hello out there in CNCZONE,
I've built my own hobby CNC and am now looking to put it to good use. Been controling it with Kcam software and using some demo programs such as RasterFratz and Image to G Code to help convert pics to code, but with poor success. All of the above are prone to glitches and lock-ups, as well as being very limited in scope. I'm now seriously considering ArtCAM for the 'design to code' portion and Mach 3 for CNC control. My question is, how well do these to programs mesh? Can't find a price for ArtCAM anywhere. By the way, this is my first post. :-)

[ger21]

They should work fine together. You can configure ArtCAM's posts if you need to.

ArtCAM PRO is around $7000+, and I think Insignia is probably about half that.

[Tony Mac]

Have you taken a look at VCarve Wizard and PhotoVCarve.

You can download Free Trial versions from the Vectric web site, and these allow you to save a run sample jobs on your own router. You can also work on your own designs, calculate and preview toolpaths, but not save these.

The VCarve Wizard is very functional with good general 2D machining strategies for pocketing and profile cutting, plus advanced 3D VCarving and Engraving that lets you do more interesting work.

Hope this might be of interest,

Tony

[MainelyCNC]

Gerry, I appreciate the info. That 7 G's for ArtCAM, guess that's why I couldn't find the price on their web site, that's steep enough to scare you away before you consider it's features.

And Tony, I'm looking at VCarve Wizard and PhotoVCarve now. It's definetly a more cost efective allternative but missing some of the features that I'm looking for, like being able to profile graphics 3 dimesionaly. I'm seriously considering it as a good start. But with this I'll need a third step, creating the .dxf, .pdf, etc. that either of these progs. can understand. Without getting knee deep into CAD, any suggestions?

[ger21]

You could pick up an older copy of Corel Draw on Ebay for cheap, if it will do what you want. A lot of plasma guys use it, and I'm sure a lot of router guys do to.

[Tony Mac]

Many VCarve Wizard customers are running drawing vector based packages such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and AutoCAD etc. which can write eps, ai, dxf, pdf data that imports very easily.

Customers often need to work from bitmap / jpg image files and they use the Free software Inkscape to vectoize these designs, and import the eps into VCarve. This works really well.

Something else worth looking at is Vector Clipart libraries, which are perfect (if you can find what you need) for creating signage and carvings etc. especially if you are like me and don't have an artitic flair.

Good vector clip art from - www.vectorart.com - yo ucan purchase individual pieces or complete collections.

Hope this helps,

Tony

[Ed_R]

What would take a pdf and convert it to G code? I have lots of PDFS and no CAM programs that can use them!

[Tony Mac]

The key question is whether the PDF files contain vector (lines, arcs, curves) or image (jpg, bmp etc) data?

If the pdf only contains the image data this will need vectorizing before most CAM software can do much with it.

You can test your own pdf files using VCarve Wizard to see whether they are suitable for machining. Or send me a sample file and I'll take a look for you.

Tony
[email protected]

[Ed_R]

I'm sure it's lines arcs and curves. I can save them as dxfs but when I try to load those DXF's into say Mach2 it comes p empty and Meshcam says there's no polygons. I'm frustrated!

[ger21]

Ed, you can convert a .pdf to .dxf with Ghostscript and Pstoedit. Google them. How are you converting .pdf's to .dxf's now?

There's no way to go from .pdf to MeshCAM, btw, unless you just import the image in there. In that case, the "print screen" button will work.

[Ed_R]

I 'm sorry, I meant to say that when I try to load the dxf's that were created from my PDF's into Meshcam it tells me there's no polygons.
Thanks for the tips on the converter names though.

[MainelyCNC]

Thanks for all the great info guys! I appreciate the help!

[kheri]

Can anyone inform me where I can get or download instructions on how to use the Artcam Pro ?

[expotec]

Hi. I provide on-line training in ArtCAM. Where do you buy it?

Best regards,

Ernie
[email protected]

[oui]

Hi. I provide on-line training in ArtCAM. Where do you buy it?

Best regards,

Ernie
[email protected]

Hi
Where is ArtCAM. homepage?
Thanks
oui

[juan30]

Where is ArtCAM. homepage?
Thanks
oui

what about www.artcam.com

[korakian]

Does anybody knows if art cam pro is compatible with masterwood cnc Project 415? :argue:

[Gary-BDP]

on how to use the Artcam Pro ?

edited: guess the poster didn't like his question and deleted it :nono:

????
If you elaborate on your question I may be able to help you
Gary
Beckwith Decor Products

[Gary-BDP]

Korakian
Artcam does include a post processor for Masterwood. Also note that Artcam post processors are fully customizable to suit.

Gary
Beckwith Decor Products

[Gary-BDP]

????????
Polygon is just a 2d shape for a 3-axis router!
do you mean arcs? arcs were added to the Masterwood post processor on 10/7/2008
Gary
Beckwith Decor Products

edit: Well I guess that guy didn't understand his question and deleted it