Software
Software
is, of course, what makes the hardware work. It's also the most
frequent source of aggravation. There are three different phases to
using what is loosely called CNC and consequently at least three
software programs to master. The first is the design phase - Computer
Aided Design - where you capture the drawing information. The second
phase - Computer Aided Manufacturing - turns your drawing into
instructions for a machine tool to follow. The third phase - Computer
Numerical Control - interprets those instructions and moves a cutter
around on a workpiece to create a part.
Aside:
I'm a Linux user for a number of reasons. As a result, I tend to prefer
Linux based solutions when they are available. I also try to be
practical about my choice of tools. Ease of use and availability of
features that I need sometimes means I'm using Windows.
Here's
what I've been using, and what I've found, in the way of software.
CAD - Computer Aided Design
2d CAD
Alibre Design - win
(xp) Solid Modeling
Software - Xpress (2d drawing free) - (win, linux
under VM) see also 3d CAD
QCad - win &
linux [RibbonSoft]
- source for older version released under gpl - in Ubuntu repositories.
3d
CAD
Alibre Design -
win (xp)
Solid Modeling
Software - 3d package was offered at the end of 2009 at a significant discount. ($200)
Art of Illusion
- linux
& win - mesh based 3D
modelling and rendering studio
GraphiteOne
- linux -
3d basic package is free but restricted HeeksCad
- linux & win Free CAD based on Open CASCADE - HeeksCNC is an add-on
for HeeksCADprogeCAD - win (xp) Smart version is free! - progeCAD Intellicad tutorial - caddit.net
Sketchup
- Google
3d - basic free - pro $500
Vectric - (win) VcarvePro $599 -
Cut3d $299 - Cut2d $149 -cam software, can also design
I used to use Autocad, and still have a working version of the
Autocad "Lite" package from way back. I've used QCad as an autocad
'work' alike. I looked at a lot of 3d software before spending
the money on the Alibre package. I evaluated progeCAD for a while but
it's workflow/methodology was difficult for me to use. GraphiteOne
became available too late for me as I had already made my Alibre
purchase. At this point I'm doing most of my
design in 3d. It's easier to catch my mistakes there. I still knock off
a quick or simple design in Autocad.
CAM - Computer Aided Manufacturing
CamBam - free
version - from the brusselsprout web page - purchased version has more features.cam.py
- Python script - from the MIT FabLab creates G-Code from
.svg,.dxf,.cmp,.sol,.plc,.sts,.stc,.gtl,.jpg files.
DAK Engineering - Ace
Converter (DXF to G-code - win, open src)FreeMill
- free version simplified - .stl to gcode, cannot separate features to mill or not mill. good for 3d contoursVectric - (win) VcarvePro $599 -
Cut3d $299 - Cut2d $149 -cam software, can also design I've
used the free version of CamBam to convert .dxf to Gcode. There's not
much out there for free CAM software. HeeksCad looks promising as it
has it's own CNC plugin but until it can import geometry from other
sources I won't be able to use it.
CNC - Computer
Numerical Control
I'm using EMC2 to control the cnc router I built here. The RepRap Ardunio Gcode interpreter
might be an option. As I understand it, It is based on the EMC software
moved into a microcontroller. I don't know what step rates it can
achieve.
General Sites
You can use google to search but you typically get a lot
of hits and not much usable information. The number of sites I've
looked at would fill three, or more, pages. Most of it is very
expensive. If you are a college student or a recent graduate you might
be able to purchase software at the campus bookstore at a reduced
(student) price.