Messages

11

LazyCam (Beta) / Okay I must be stupid (or losing my mind)

« on: July 23, 2006, 06:04:09 PM »

I recognize that I'm a total newbie to LC and to CNC for that matter but I'm about to through this stuff across the room. . .

• First is there any documentation for the current version of Lazy Cam anywhere on the planet?
• I have watched the video about a billion times and it is nothing like the current version.
• I can find no written documentation anywhere, so I must not be looking in the right place, right?

I have been able to import a dfx and cut one part. . .Yay!!! with the help of a conversion program.  I try to cut a very similar part and it imports with only one layer visable and all of the other information gone. . .Hummm, very strange. . . Another part seems to import and then there is nothing viable and no layer information. 

Is there some magic repository of knowledge for this softwere?  Brian I agree with the others that this is going to be a great program when it is finished, but you have been talking about a new video and docs since march, do they exist and I am missing them?

I really really need this program, my machine is sitting idle and I have parts that I need to cut, I don't have the capital (nor the desire) to pay thousands of bucks for a CAM program.

Wow that is starting to sound like a rant, sorry about that, I'm just furaterated here. . .

Brian, you and Art are really doing a great service in offering your sotware at such a low price, that is really cool. . .Okay that said HELP!!!!!!

12

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: What are "splines" & How do I get rid of Them?

« on: July 23, 2006, 03:02:38 AM »

I tried your solution and it worked great!  I actually cut a real part this evening! Still I'm far from production but things are progressing.  Thanks!

13

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: What are "splines" & How do I get rid of Them?

« on: July 22, 2006, 04:26:54 PM »

Thanks!!!

14

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: What are "splines" & How do I get rid of Them?

« on: July 22, 2006, 04:19:19 PM »

Bummer, does that mean that Lazy cam can only deal with polygons and simple curves?  If so, what can I do, short of laying out $8500.00 for artcam to cut out these parts?

15

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: What are "splines" & How do I get rid of Them?

« on: July 22, 2006, 02:39:02 PM »

Thanks for your reply Brian.  The biggest problem here is that I don't know what "Splines" are (in this context) so I don't know how to "break them up into lines." The drawing is a simple outline with some compound curves ( an electric guitar pickguard) but nothing special. It seems to me that it shouldn’t be so hard to get this to convert. . . I’m surly doing something wrong.   

16

LazyCam (Beta) / What are "splines" & How do I get rid of Them?

« on: July 20, 2006, 12:00:19 AM »

Okay total newbee question, I created a simple vector drawing in Adobe Illustrator and exported it to .DXF.  When I import it into Lazy Cam it says I can't import "Splines." What do I do now?

17

General Mach Discussion / CAD/CAM software?

« on: July 19, 2006, 12:47:31 PM »

Hello oh wise and informed Mach users!
I am a luthier, (maker of musical instruments).  I am entering the world of CNC and having fun so far.

I have built a 25”x 37”  router table: (http://www.solsylva.com/) with xylotech steppers and controller and a ¼” spindle.  I am using a demo version of Mach 3 (which I will upgrade to the full version as soon as I am sure that this is a good move.)

I’ve got the table working and I’ve been having fun cutting roadrunners, but now it is time to move on to bigger and better things, (and have the table help to make some money).

Now to my question to you sages of the milling world:

Since I will be milling Guitar necks, Mandolin top plates, electric Guitar bodies and various other similar parts, I need to know what I should do as far as CAD/CAM software. Of course I am looking for the Holy Grail here; a really cheap (or free) program that is quick to learn and very easy to use, that will do 3D.   My operation is very small and resources are very limited.  Do you all have any recommendations?