Machsupport Forum
G-Code, CAD, and CAM => LazyCam (Beta) => Topic started by: RICH on January 27, 2008, 09:30:02 AM
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Hi to All,
Newbie here. I want to thank all those that have posted info on using Lazycam to generate code for the lathe.
Like a number of you, I had the same problems of trying to get Lazycam to post code, or clean a DXF file,
got inconsistencies in output, wondered about definitions of inputs, etc. I will post a write-up which should help the
next newbie from hacking thru the program due to no documentation.
There is a problem / bug, something you all may not be aware of, and until fixed you are going to spend a lot
of time trying to get the program to generate code that works.
First some info:
All of my DXF files are generated out of AutoCad or Microstation. I couldn't get Lazycam to generate usable lathe code
for some simple profiles. Yet a friend did the same profile and his profile worked just fine from the beginning to end. Talk about
frustration!
What we found was that depending on how it was drawn ( remember its the same profile ) Lazycam did different magic.
So I did some experimenting, the same profile, drawing it differently numerous times, saving the DXF, importing the DXF
from program to program and re saving, etc.....etc. Some worked, some DXF files locked up the program, some were close,
they were all over the map! The DXF files were always rock solid for other programs in that they could be imported into
another CNC program and generated code for milling.
I can't get into how to use a CAD program since there are numerous commands you can use to accomplish the same task.
But depending on how you create the drawing will affect what happens ( at least for now ). Good grief, this just should not happen!
Lazycam just seems to interpret the DXF differently when it brings them in. And differently out of say Autocad 2000, 2000i,
2004, haven't tried the MAP versions, Microstation SE, J, V8.
I'll post the write up on turning in the near future, (write - wrong - or indifferent) from my experience's.
Should anybody have some insight or suggestions on what was found please feel free to share.
Thanks,
Rich the Newbie