Hi All-

Completely new to MACH3 here.   I purchased a small 3 Axis CNC router with the understanding that I could do one or some of the many 3d relief models being sold such as this one on Ebay, along with the MACH3 software.   Seller assured me that was all I needed:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Horses-plaster-3D-MODEL-RELIEF-STL-VECTRIC-RLF-ARTCAM-CNC-ROUTER-mill-bas-/321444243258?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad791e73a

Since then I've found out that it appears I also need to put some heavy money down for additional software such as ArtCAM, because the the 'plans' are sold in STL format, not G-Code which is what the MACH3 requires.  Possibly, much more than everything I've spent so far.

Is this true, and why don't they simply sell the 'schematics' in a format that the router/MACH3 can understand, why must it be in a different format, requiring you to buy so much more (as the router itself was hardly cheap).    It seems like a racket, but I'm sure there are physical explanations.
I liked the idea of CNC routing and working with wood, but buying all this was a stretch to begin with I'm just wondering if I'm out of the game completely, given my income. 

Thanks-

 

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/11/10/secrets-going-cad-image-dxf-stl-gcode-cnc-3d-printing/


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Thats still another $250.00.   I don't know what part of "Is there anything else I need to buy to do this" the router seller missed.........
Its looking like 3d routers are toys for rich folks.
Not sure what I was thinking....

Google Freemill, ot try the free version of CamBam.

search for free 3D cad/cam programs there's about 5,500,000 places you can look

It seems like a racket

Not realy, actualy it's just a sickness which has been diagnosed and called,
CNCOD.........CNC OBSESIVE DISORDER,  once you get it there may not be a cure! 

The software can cost money, and a lot depending on what you may desire to do, but over time, tooling can be more than the machine.

Welcome to the Hobby and enjoy the learning curve,

RICH

Try http://pycam.sourceforge.net


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