Nubie...Autocad dxf files fail to load into lazycam

First, understand I am a NUBIE and CNC, so show patience pls. I have valid student copy of AutoCAD 2014 that I
am using for CAD program. So far I have limited all attempts to load a dxf file to 2d type drawings. Simple
objects such as rectangles with fillets and holes or slots. Some will load into lazycam just fine and show toolpath,
others appear to fail loading process and no image or toolpath is displayed. I have tried various things with
AutoCAD, but none offer any indication to nature of problem. Being new, can 3D drawings be loaded into
lazycam to ultimately produce G-code for mach3. I have searched for documentation on lazycam, but appears
none exists, and product appears unsupported. May look for substitute CAM software, such as Rhino in
future. Trying to keep within my budget, and purchase of hardware motors,encoders,drivers.etc has passed
my anticipated mark, so project implementation may take a little longer than expected. Any help with
understanding why some load and others don't would be greatly appreciated.
Anthony(aka kansaswoodrat)

Quote:

---

Being new, can 3D drawings be loaded into
lazycam to ultimately produce G-code for mach3.

---

No, 2D drawings only.

From AutoCAD, save all drawings as V12 .dxf
If you can't get those to load, post the .dxf and I can probably tell you why.

LazyCAM Manual is here: LAZYCAM MANUAL

After considerable testing all the .dxf files that would not load into lazycam, I have discovered
that saving them back to version 2007 appears to resolve the issue. Based on that I assume
lazycam support must have ceased near that date. AutoCAD 2014 appears to be functional
for .dxf file if saved in older format. With that said there may be enhancements in 2014 that are
not backward compatible for previous versions. AutoCAD file access must be closed for .dxf file
attempting to be loaded into lazycam, lack of closing file also results in loading failure. Probably
to good idea to start looking for supported CAM software. Free is as Free does I guess.

I think you'll find that most CAM software will prefer older version .dxf files. AS I mentioned, v12 .dxf's should work with just about every CAM software. Any version newer can cause issues.

With every release of AutoCAD, the .dxf format is changed to support newer entities introduced in Autocad. There's little incentive for CAM companies to constantly update their .dxf importers, since in most cases these changes won't add any functionality to their CAM software. Virtually all CAD software can output .dxf versions back to 12 and even older, so just get in the habit of using v12, and life will be simpler.

Thank you. How is the Z axis controlled if only 2D drawings are allowed in lazycam. I have not purchased
the license for mach3 yet, but very soon, and wonder if some of the issues with lazycam are related to the 50 line limit
imposed by Demo version I am now exercising. down the road I would like to work toward either a knee mill or router
with appropriate spindle motor to allow cutting soft metal, but to learn both MACH3 and other software associated with
path from conception to completion will probably start with simple wood router. Would you have some URL's for DIY
hardware to build framework for such a device. Short of a charge pump, miniature power supply and 4th servo motor with
encoder and gecko driver, have all other hardware for simple wood router. My intent with 4th servo motor is to power
gantry from both sides. Am surprised, I have read extensively and watch video's on internet with regard to CNC, and
actually understand/comprehend almost all, but am not naïve enough to tackle such activity without support from such a
support group as CNCZone. again thx
Anthony

You enter the depth of cut in LazyCAM. Honestly, I'd recommend anything but LazyCAM. There are free or very inexpensive programs that are MUCH better.

ok, pls excuse my lack of understanding, but when I watch video's on youtube of faces, or other 3 dimensional objects
cut out with CNC routers, how is that accomplished. The depth on such things is not a constant, and varies with object
being cut. One of my desires was to make some raised decorations for wooden cabinets, the equivalent of carvings with
flat back utilizing wood router envisioned as first CNC machine. I do appreciate your patience with me being a beginner
in this arena. Guess I better withdraw my previous statement of comprehending, and make it witnessed as shown on
youtube. Have friend who believes he has older(early 2000's) copy of Rhino he will lend me. Have spent several months
getting somewhat proficient with AutoCAD, and hope his Rhino software will accept .dxf files from AutoCAD.
thx
Anthony

LazyCAM is not capable of 3D carving work. It's 2D only, as I said in my first reply.

For a carving like you're talking about, you need to create a 3D model, and use a 3D CAM program like MeshCAM to create the g-code.