[scales11]

Hello. I recently made my first CNC and I am using an arduino+GRBL to control it.

I am looking for a good program or combination of a few programs that allow me to sketch/design something in 2D and 2.5D, generate the gcode, and simulate the tool paths.

So far I have used inkscape+pycam, but inkscape is not really ideal for engineering (though I love it for vectors and simple graphics). Pycam works, but is pretty slow and laggy (v 5.1.1 I think). I also tried sketchup with the phlat-whatever plugin, but I don't see how I can actually view the tool paths without opening the gcode in a seperate viewer program. I have been trying to use gsimple, which is free and seems OK, but it is not as user friendly as Sketchup or other CAD software. Gsimple also doesn't seem to display text correctly on the project, may be a font issue? I think I would like to minimize the amount of export/importing during this process, since it seems to just cause problems, and just settle on something that works well. I am looking for advice on how I should organize my workflow and which program(s) I should check out.

I am capable of learning whatever software combo I decide to go with, but I would like to be sure that I am being efficient about things. Hopefully the combined experience of this forum will help me find an efficient, simple-ish solution.

[ger21]

Try Draftsight and the free version of CamBam.

Free software will often require more steps, and a less than desirable workflow.
And text can often cause issues. It typically needs to be exploded or converted to vectors before you can get g-code from it.

[scales11]

I will look into those. I normally hate using "free" versions of software since it is built with limitations. I may be persuaded to purchase something if it truly removed all headaches (which I have yet to get )

Also, I was sure to explode the text in inkscape before I imported the DXF into gsimple. But the funny thing is that even using gsimple's built in "text" engraver does not give me properly rendered text.

[jgro]

Look here: [Plugin] 2.5D CAM Plugin 20121202 ? SketchUcation Community Forums

jgro

[Laurent_parti]

Hi scalle11,

Do not know if you are still interested with free soft but it can help other people:

3D CAD sofware: Freecad
3D CAM : Pycam

I have also a dedicated video about the CNC workflow:



Laurent

[scales11]

Thanks Laurent.

Yes I am still interested, over the past week I have spent several hours trying out various CAD/CAM combinations. I think I have settled on PyCam and a nice program called SolveSpace. Not quite perfect, but the combo seems pretty decent for now. Though, I am still having some issues with PyCam. I think PyCam is picky about the DXF and SVG files you give it. For instance, if you try to import a DXF or SVG generated in inkscape, the curves in a model are often ignored. However, if I generate the same DXF in SolveSpace, PyCam can open it properly.

I still prefer Sketchup for a quick assembly and for virtual prototyping, but none of the CAM/DXF plugins I found for it work well enough (if at all).

I had higher hopes for HeeksCNC but I ran into various bugs and had trouble generating proper GCode. Gsimple was just so far from "simple" that I didn't think it was worth my time.

I played with FreeCad for just a little bit, it seems a bit bulky. I first learned CAD with Solidworks, but since I am no longer a student, I don't want to pay for it. FreeCad looks like it copies lots of the Solidworks interface, but doesn't execute it as well. I was going to take a look at QCad next...

What do you think?

[Laurent_parti]

Hi scales,

Divide CNC project with 2D and 3D approach is a good idea. It will be more easy to find the good soft.
My experience teachs me that FreeCAD can either work well in 2D or 3D with no concern and the team is working on it every day so some fine tuning is running all the week. They also have a sub-team working on CAM addon but a lot of us are waiting for it.
You can use Qcad, I did it but now I prefer FreeCAD. You can follow 2 or 3 tuto on the web and it will be very easy to make it works.

My concern is more link to CAM soft. PyCAM is more skills with 3D but you have to know that it does not manage Z speed separatly. So caution with the Gcode, you will have to rework it by hand. Other thing is the path generated could be messy ( see on my channel the slow motion broken tool) and dangerous.
Agree with dxf, Pycam had some trouble to deal with. It remains 2 other options : HeekCAD with certain limitation (bugs) but there is also a new free soft in progress is Blender CAM. But I did not test it, as I'm not train with Blender (powerfull but a good training is required !)

[Tony T]

If by chance you find a cad/cam software that doesn't give you a headache then by all means let me know!!! I have been programming for 15 years used several different high dollar systems, and I still get a headache every day!

[Laurent_parti]

Hi Tony.
You really point it but having a CAD/CAM without a headdake is like having a year with 2 christmas

Lol

[Busch_dk]

Regarding FreeCad it can seem bulky. I was ready to give up on it until I started on some tutorial on the Part Design workbench. This is a really powerful feature to design parts in 2.5D and 3D.

This video pretty much sums up the power of the Part Design workbench:
FreeCAD Tutorial Part4 From 2D Sketch to 3D Model - YouTube

-Soren