Machsupport Forum
G-Code, CAD, and CAM => G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions => Topic started by: Kevin Harpham on December 09, 2006, 03:05:47 PM
-
Hello, I will soon be receiving a cnc mill with mach 3 and then later some cad/cam software that is still undecided at this time. I will also be purchasing a computer just for this mill. Being brand new at this with zero experience I would like some advise on what is recommended as far as hardware goes along with the best version of XP I should get. For example do I want to avoid AMD processors or are they recommended? XP media or professional or will the home version do? ??? Or most likely it doesn't matter.
Kevin
-
Sounds like you want one PC to both run the machine and do your CAD CAM work? Pretty much any 1Ghz or better will run Mach3 fine, butCADCAM is another story. Most current processors will work just fine, the big difference makers are the video cards, which can be half the price of a PC for good ones.
I'd recommend a dual core processor, as they are pretty cheap and very common now, and can make a big difference when multitasking. 10 months ago when I bought a new PC, Athlon X2's delivered the most bang for the buck. All that changed when Intel released the CoreDuo and Core2Duo. Much faster and cooler running, and still relatively inexensive if you stay away from the fastest available. If you don't need the greatest and latest video card, a decent gaming card like a 6800GS or GT should be fine.
-
Ok. I went and bought 2 used HP computers with 2.5 Ghz. and .5 GB RAM, one for the mill and MACH 3 and one for the CAD. Now my old AutoCAD won't work with XP and I would like to know what software I should get. There are some links to free software under tools and I assume these work well with MACH or else they wouldn't be there. Can someone recommend one to me? I prefer one that is user friendly over one that is more powerful since I am brand new to machining and CNC.
Thanks.
Kevin
-
Lazy Cam comes with Mach. ;D
Brett
-
LazyCam is a good DXF conversion to G-Code, but not used for design.
For the beginner, my personal preference is BobCAD. It has some controversial interfacing and methods, but…. For the money, it has few competitors.
Once you start with a system, it's always a large learning curve, but after you get the hang of it..... it becomes second nature.
-
True, my bad. I use Auto Sketch. Simple to use and runs about $130.00. Made by Autodesk, same folks as autocad. It will let you save in a lot of common formats.
Brett
-
True, my bad. I use Auto Sketch. Simple to use and runs about $130.00. Made by Autodesk, same folks as autocad. It will let you save in a lot of common formats.
Brett
Is this what you recommend?
http://cgi.ebay.com/AUTODESK-AUTOSKETCH-9-CAD-AUTO-SKETCH-SOFTWARE-NEW_W0QQitemZ150080744899QQihZ005QQcategoryZ188QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
-
I have been using CADX11 with success. Documentation is pretty limited and it can be quirky at times, but the price is right (FREE). Pieces I have designed ranged from 1x2 inches to 5x9 inches in size. Sizes limited by my small TAIG mill. Repeatability was good.
Design in CADX, save, then export as DXF into LazyCam. Takes some getting used to quirks on both sides, but I have been satisfied.
Here is link to the site :http://www.graytechsoftware.com/
Disclaimer - I have no relationship with graytech. Not working for anyone else (ask my wife).
Good luck
Bob @ BobsShop
-
I have been using CADX11 with success. Documentation is pretty limited and it can be quirky at times, but the price is right (FREE). Pieces I have designed ranged from 1x2 inches to 5x9 inches in size. Sizes limited by my small TAIG mill. Repeatability was good.
Design in CADX, save, then export as DXF into LazyCam. Takes some getting used to quirks on both sides, but I have been satisfied.
Here is link to the site :http://www.graytechsoftware.com/
Disclaimer - I have no relationship with graytech. Not working for anyone else (ask my wife).
Good luck
Bob @ BobsShop
I'll give it a try and let you know what I think of it.
I downloaded something called A9CAD from a freeware site yesterday and it sucked bad.
Thanks.
Kevin
-
Hey Kevin,
Yes, that is what I use. If you get it and need some help, PM me.
Brett
-
I downloaded something called A9CAD from a freeware site yesterday and it sucked bad.
A9CAD is a very useable FREE CAD program. I've played with it a bit and it works exactly like AutoCAD. It just doesn't have a lot of features.
-
Your right, it works and it is free so I shouldn't trash on it. It's just that it forced me to use absolute coordinates. I would rather spend 20 or 30 dollars for something a little less frustrating.
-
It's just that it forced me to use absolute coordinates.
Try typing @X,Y for relative coordinates. To draw a line from 0,0 to 5,10 pick a line tool, type in 0,0, then @5,10
I think you can also use @5<30 for 5 units at 30° DOn't have it installed to try, though.
-
I've been using http://www.progecad.com/ The light version is free, small and very capable. Seems to have most things and, well, it is free! How do they do that?
Also has many save options and you can write very simple scripts, so importing data from Excel (for gears etc) is real easy.
Save as ACAD 2000 ASCII DXF and LCAM imports fine.
(I've no connections...)
Richard.
-
Richard - got onto the progecad site but declined to take them up on their offer. I refuse to participate in any site that requires me to fill out a thousand survey/request for info forms. Would rather pay for something.
Bob @ BobsShop (yes, I am a crusty old curmudgeon)
-
It's just that it forced me to use absolute coordinates.
Try typing @X,Y for relative coordinates. To draw a line from 0,0 to 5,10 pick a line tool, type in 0,0, then @5,10
I think you can also use @5<30 for 5 units at 30° DOn't have it installed to try, though.
Some say it's a bad habit but I learned to draw with my mouse more than the keyboard and I want the CAD to accommodate my style. I spent $30 and have AutoSketch 9 on the way so hopefully it is similar to AutoCAD.
-
I have been using CADX11 with success. Documentation is pretty limited and it can be quirky at times, but the price is right (FREE). Pieces I have designed ranged from 1x2 inches to 5x9 inches in size. Sizes limited by my small TAIG mill. Repeatability was good.
Design in CADX, save, then export as DXF into LazyCam. Takes some getting used to quirks on both sides, but I have been satisfied.
Here is link to the site :http://www.graytechsoftware.com/
Disclaimer - I have no relationship with graytech. Not working for anyone else (ask my wife).
Good luck
Bob @ BobsShop
Well Bob, I am set in my ways and CADX didn't do it for me, which is too bad cause I really liked that graph.
-
Some say it's a bad habit but I learned to draw with my mouse more than the keyboard and I want the CAD to accommodate my style. I spent $30 and have AutoSketch 9 on the way so hopefully it is similar to AutoCAD.
Maybe not a bad habit, but much, much slower than using the keyboard. Anyone that is really fast at most any software knows a lot of keyboard shortcuts. :)
Imo, A9CAD is almost exactly like AutoCAD, and you don't like that. The commands I gave you are the same ones I use in AutoCAD, and when I tried A9CAD, I didn't have to change any of my AutoCAD methods to start drawing immediately. Good luck.