Hi,

I'm new to all this and trying to test out a Taig micro mill I've inherited use of.   Here's what I did:

1. I made a simple vector pattern in Adobe Illustrator CS. 
2. Exported it as an R13 .dxf (the oldest it will do). 
3. Converted it to R12 with A9Converter. 
4. Loaded it into LazyCAM

It looked fine in the preview display.  I didn't get the "child scribble" drawing I got when I tried to import an R13 file directly. 

The problem is that the resulting Gcode file is really short.   I thought perhaps I'd hit the 1000 line limit because I'm only running the demo of Mach3 right now (just to see if I can get this mill to work).  Though when I looked at the file, it only had 25 lines of code.  I know this can't be right.  I test ran it on the mill and it starts to move through the first curve then stops.

Any ideas? 

Thanks,
...Athena

____________________
www.AthenaInlay.com

The Mach3 limit is 500 lines of code, but I think that if Mach is in demo mode, then LazyCAM only gives you 25 lines. When you get a Mach3 license, LazyCAM is fully functional.

Also, your .dxf contains a block. Most CAM programs won't read blocks, so you may need to explode them before saving. Try this one.

The Mach3 limit is 500 lines of code, but I think that if Mach is in demo mode, then LazyCAM only gives you 25 lines. When you get a Mach3 license, LazyCAM is fully functional.

Hey Gerry,

I didn't know you moderated here.  Thanks for the info.  That explains things.  When the first test run stopped short I dashed off and proclaimed that I had run into the demo limits and it was time to start taking this seriously.  I thought I'd spoken too soon when I saw that the file was only 25 lines, but I guess I didn't.  If the owner doesn't pony up soon, I'll buy it and hope they reimburse me at some point.  Mach is the one thing that I'm sure I'll need no matter what I end up doing CNC-wise. 

Sorry if that was a stupid question, but I didn't realize the free program would have a line limit too.  But I get the fact now that it's free with a full version of Mach3.   

Thanks again,
...Athena

____________________
www.AthenaInlay.com

Also, your .dxf contains a block. Most CAM programs won't read blocks, so you may need to explode them before saving. Try this one.

Thanks!   So how did you do that?    Do you have a dxf editor?  Or AutoCAD.

LazyCAM actually ate the R12 version better than I expected.  But I will need something else CAM-wise probably even to do what I want in 2D, so that's good to know.  Illustrator doesn't give you many options for .dxf export.  Other than version, it's like JPEG or BMP and color bit depth.  Nothing about blocks.  I do want to stay in Adobeland for 2D inlay design for now though.  Even if I have to convert, tweak and edit the suckers.

...Athena

____________________
www.AthenaInlay.com

I exploded it in AutoCAD. I think I told you before your best bet is with vectric's stuff, as they'll import a better format than .dxf's?

I exploded it in AutoCAD. I think I told you before your best bet is with vectric's stuff, as they'll import a better format than .dxf's?

Yep, you did.  I'm writing a proposal for the owner of this thing and Cut2D is my first recommendation for low priced 2D CAM to get going.  I just got my drive belt yesterday and a rush job order too, unfortunately, which leaves a lot less time for CNC for the next week or so. 

I'll download the Cut2D demo as soon as I know I can spend some solid time with it.  I thought it was a timed 30 day demo but now that I look on their site, I don't see that mentioned.  I'm trying to figure out how it's crippled.  Time limit, # of saves, # lines of code?  If it's a time limit I want to wait, otherwise I can do it now and nibble away at it when I have time.

Anyway, LazyCAM is here now and has actually produced code that makes the machine move and onlookers say "oooh", so it's been useful.  ;-> I need to make a demo program that does looping circles or something to maximize that cool sound of both axes moving...LOL.

Thanks for everything,
...Athena

____________________
www.AthenaInlay.com

I'll download the Cut2D demo as soon as I know I can spend some solid time with it.  I thought it was a timed 30 day demo but now that I look on their site, I don't see that mentioned.  I'm trying to figure out how it's crippled.  Time limit, # of saves, # lines of code?

It won't let you create g-code from your own files, only the samples. But, you can load your artwork, and create toolpaths and preview them. You just can't cut them until you pay for it.

It won't let you create g-code from your own files, only the samples. But, you can load your artwork, and create toolpaths and preview them. You just can't cut them until you pay for it.

Ahhh... so they mean THEIR sample files.  Got it!  Off to dl it now...

Thanks a bunch,

...Ath
____________________
www.AthenaInlay.com

Was anyone ever able to confirm what the Gcode output limit (via Lazycam) is for the demo version of Mach3? I see you guys mentioning your Gcode being truncated to 25 lines; however, I am having exactly the same problem except I always am truncated at 49 lines. Any ideas/thoughts are much appreciated.