I have the attached file, which is a DXF.  I import into the latest downloadable version of Lazycam, scale the shape so the X is 10 units.  Then select the shape and create a pocket.

Sprial:  CCW, Out-In, Left

Tool Dia:  0.25
Step: 50%
Overhang: 0.1000
Finish: 0.1000

In the project window I see that it recognizes it as a closed shape.  One thing that looks wrong is that it says:
Performing Op With Tol: -627748562204192500000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.0000 Step: 0.125
(I didn't count all the 0's after the 5, but its close.  The number is HUGE)

The result is that the pocket command doesn't work.  It draws a few blue lines that go outside the shape.   I'm attaching the file for you to try.

I think you will find that your dxf file is a spline, try this version of your file. I have converted it to line segments.

Graham.

Thanks Graham.  I tried the version you posted.  I opened it in LCAM, scaled X to 10 units then tried to pocket the shape.  No luck.  The results are different than before, but still not a pocket.  It follows almost an offset around the inside and goes out points outside the shape in the corners.

What do you use to convert DXF files where they don't have SPLINES by the way?  Just curious if there are some utilities I can try to run my DXF through to get it 'compatible' with LCAM.

I can not get LCAM to process it, my cam system AlphaCam did it and it generated 150,00 lines of code, maybe that's why LCAM struggled, here is the code, it may not be as you wanted.

Graham.

Ok, Thank you!   

I made that in Adobe Illustrator and exported as a DXF.  I'm sure Illustrator isn't the best option for converting to G-Code.  Its not meant to optimize the DXF I'm sure. 

Now I'm at a crossroad - what CAD program to learn that will yeild good results.  I  have TurboCad and Autocad (forget which Ver, 2000 maybe).  Do you have an opinion on either of those?

No comment,

Graham.

You can use AutoCAD. It will do everything you want for LazyCAM. It does work great for what we are doing. LazyCAM loves the release 12 version of the AutoCAD file. If you've got plans to move to 3-D, you'll need a program like Rhino 3-D. It is great, easy to use, and can save files in 2-D for LazyCAM by exporting them as AutoCAD R12. LazyCAM doesn't know about 3-D yet, and the cam software that does is pretty complicated and expensive... such as Cimatron, Catia, Solidworks, MasterCAM, ArtCAM, etc.