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Author Topic: What computer is best for controller and cad/cam software.  (Read 14513 times)

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Offline ger21

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Re: What computer is best for controller and cad/cam software.
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2007, 12:40:11 AM »
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.
Gerry

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JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
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Re: What computer is best for controller and cad/cam software.
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2007, 01:26:47 AM »
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.

Offline ger21

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Re: What computer is best for controller and cad/cam software.
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2007, 11:33:13 AM »
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.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2007, 11:39:35 AM by ger21 »
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: What computer is best for controller and cad/cam software.
« Reply #13 on: January 17, 2007, 01:54:25 AM »
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.
Re: What computer is best for controller and cad/cam software.
« Reply #14 on: January 17, 2007, 08:22:53 AM »
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)
Re: What computer is best for controller and cad/cam software.
« Reply #15 on: January 17, 2007, 01:27:30 PM »
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.
Re: What computer is best for controller and cad/cam software.
« Reply #16 on: January 17, 2007, 01:31:30 PM »
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.

Offline ger21

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Re: What computer is best for controller and cad/cam software.
« Reply #17 on: January 17, 2007, 06:25:28 PM »

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.
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html