Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: KNS Supply on April 09, 2008, 05:24:48 PM

Title: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: KNS Supply on April 09, 2008, 05:24:48 PM

Hi all,
I am in need of a 3-D program that is easy to use to generate G-code for simple parts.
Is there a program like that out there that is compatible with Mach 3, and that will work well
with a milling machine to cut top profiles of parts?
Please let me know
Thanks,
Brian

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: panaceabeachbum on April 09, 2008, 10:14:04 PM

I am using mastercam , does a nice job

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on April 10, 2008, 10:01:39 AM

Hi Brian,

Have a look at G-Simple. This is a good 3D with a short learning cycle and it's free. (I was able to make stuff within a couple of hours).

http://www.gsimple.gr/

good luck,

Tweakie.

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: Lakeside design on April 10, 2008, 06:14:57 PM

Quote from: Tweakie.CNC on April 10, 2008, 10:01:39 AM

Hi Brian,

Have a look at G-Simple. .......it's free.
http://www.gsimple.gr/

good luck,

Tweakie.

Good selling point as must 3d software start at $1500 and just go up

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: panaceabeachbum on April 10, 2008, 09:00:12 PM

Is Gsimple a true 3d code generator or just 2 1/2 D like the wizards in mach? I downloaded it and I dont see any 3d Surfacing

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on April 11, 2008, 01:52:40 AM

Sorry Brian,

I misunderstood your question re- simple parts. What exactly do you want to be able to produce ?.

For 3D surfacing, a program such as 'Bmp2cnc' will do the job but it will not profile cut well so it is important to know what you want to do.

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: MachBruce on April 11, 2008, 02:59:36 AM

Rhino 3D is very intuitive to learn.
It also has a great contextual help file. 
It doesn't take long to learn either. 
It also exports into any file type you needand it is a true 3D nurbs surfacing application.

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on April 11, 2008, 10:35:34 AM

Hi Brian,

Another possibility is CamBam. This is still under development and it's 3D support is still limited but with a very active forum and support team it is getting there fast. (It is not that simple to understand - I have been learning for some time now).

http://www.cambam.co.uk/

Tweakie.

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: Lakeside design on April 12, 2008, 07:54:17 AM

Rhino is a very good 3D package but now your up to $4500 for 3D and 4TH axis. that a lot ofmoney if your just doing this for a hobby. I am looking at getting Rhino as it will handle both point and mesh files. You can get Bobcad V21 for a few hundred bucks and will do a nice job on 2 1/2 and 3D. But it is no Rhino

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: bowber on April 12, 2008, 11:22:20 AM

I use Meshcam, it's quite good and Robert is in the process of altering the path code.

I think he's still doing a deal were you can get Both Meshcam and Cutviewer mill together.

It also has basic 4th axis and double sided milling.

Steve

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: stirling on April 12, 2008, 11:40:52 AM

Quote from: Lakeside design on April 12, 2008, 07:54:17 AM

Rhino is a very good 3D package but now your up to $4500 for 3D and 4TH axis. that a lot ofmoney if your just doing this for a hobby. I am looking at getting Rhino as it will handle both point and mesh files. You can get Bobcad V21 for a few hundred bucks and will do a nice job on 2 1/2 and 3D. But it is no Rhino

Hi Lakeside - That seems a bit on the  high side for Rhino + a 4 axis CAM - which CAM are you looking at?

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: sshneider on April 12, 2008, 12:31:23 PM

What about Cut 3d or Even Better V-Carve?

Sid

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: bowber on April 12, 2008, 02:41:12 PM

Sorry got the wrong end of the stick there, thought you were wanting a 3d CAM program to create the gcode.

There are a few free 3d programs, Some people use googles Sketchup, someone has mad an exporter to create STL files, never used it myself and Alibre Design express which will export STL's.

Steve

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: Lakeside design on April 19, 2008, 06:55:14 AM

Quote

Hi Lakeside - That seems a bit on the high side for Rhino + a 4 axis CAM - which CAM are you looking at?

Quote

The offer I recieved was $3500 rhinocam $500 for 4th axis $500 for a seat of Rhino cad. Rhino can handle point and mess file very nicely. That why I'm looking at it. Also I need a fourth axis program. Bobcad V22 for 3d works great. but I don;t see them with a real fourth axis program for another year anyways.

Title: Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on April 19, 2008, 08:43:24 AM

I haven't tried it myself but the program 'gmax' is available free of charge. The forum cnc4free gives massive support on this software.

http://cnc4free.org/

Has anyone tried it, is it any good ?.