[obscurity]

I have just completed my homebuilt machine and have started trying to fool around with it in Mach3. I figured the easiest way to make it do something other than the roadrunner is to use an image program and convert to g-code. When I try this I only get a portion of the image coverted.(very little of it actually) Is this one of the limitations of the demo? I know it will only c ut 1000 lines but will it only create 1000 line also?

Thanks
John

[ajl6549]

???? HELP! don't understand the ? please elaborate.

[ger21]

Yes, that's a demo limitation. It may be creating all the code (not sure), but it won't show it if it does.

[obscurity]

It must not create it cause I just opened the file in Kcam and got the same amount of cutting path. Good to know it is a demo thing, I thought I was going crazy

Thanks,

john

[Torchhead]

What kind of cutting are you expecting to do? The image approach gets you a huge file that is a "photoengraving". Each dot is pecked by the bit. You need to understand the difference between vector files and bitmaps (images). The conversion is not just an import. You will need to investigate bitmap to vector conversion (auto trace) software. Better yet, find vector files in DXF and use a vector drawing package and import vector clipart (www.vectorart.com) and generat a DXF from their AI (EPS) files. You will need a vector drawing (rather than CAD) or a signmaking package that will import the common vector formats.

Also consider a separate CAM package like SheetCAM (159.00) so you can define the toolpath in a GUI interface and it will spit out G-code for MACH3

Unless you are doing true 3D and using 3D modeling and creation tools you can use either SheetCAM or for decorative signcutting look at VCarve.

Tom Caudle
www.CandCNC.com

[obscurity]

My ultimate goal is to be able to carve 3D objects (2.5D really) that I model. Right now I really just want to see Mach3 cut something that I input. I chose an image file rather than a vector file imply because I could easily create a pure black and white image in Photoshop that would give me 2 levels of cutting and I could see it work. I suppose I could do the same thing in Autocad but then I assumed I would have to get a better grip on the intricaies of importing DXF files (ie what layers things are drawn on, what object types are importable etc.) I suppose the problem I am running into is that if the image file is set up to sample every 0.1" and is set up to be 10"x10" you get a very precious few passes before you reach the 1000 line demo limit. One thing I don't understand is why Mach won't at least display the whole path that I generate. It will display the whole path of the Roadrunner that is included with it even though it exceeds 1000 lines. I guess I should just buy it and try it out (it does come very well recommened). I do kind of wish the interface was a little less confusing but I suppose that will diminish as I get used to it.

I did try the demo of MeshCAM Last night and was very impressed with its ability.

Thanks for the suggestions,
John

[Bear]

Hi Oby ,
what about price and support?
I dont think you can beat Mach###,($$$)
and get support like you get from the forem/
archives. (been there, done that, asked & answered,
thankyou all,)
Bear

[ger21]

One thing I don't understand is why Mach won't at least display the whole path that I generate. It will display the whole path of the Roadrunner that is included with it even though it exceeds 1000 lines.

No, it doesn't. There are more than one roadrunner in the roadrunner.tap g-code. Open it in Notepad and delete the first 800 or so lines, then reload it into Mach3.