[gmfoster]

I have a DXF of a horse clip art that I am trying to convert to a tool path. At the present time I am only trying to do it with a pen in the the machine. I finally got a gcode file out of it but it doesn't look right. I am using the free version as I would have the 40 uses of the trial gone in a hurry.

The file is horse and rider (1).dxf

Can some walk me through the process of plotting this outline with a pen or a engraving cutter?
Thanks
Garry

[blowlamp]

Garry.
Very few people now use that old version of CamBam, so I suggest you try the latest 0.9.8 release and make the most of your 40 uses by shrinking it down to the Taskbar whilst you get on with other things on your computer.

You'll find CamBam has moved on tremendously since the old version


Martin.

[gmfoster]

Garry.
Very few people now use that old version of CamBam, so I suggest you try the latest 0.9.8 release and make the most of your 40 uses by shrinking it down to the Taskbar whilst you get on with other things on your computer.

You'll find CamBam has moved on tremendously since the old version


Martin.

Fair enough then can some one walk me through the process with the new version. I have it downloaded and have looked at the documentation and still don't really have a clue.

I can get a simpler clip art. Or any example in in converting a clip art outline to gcode. I can do boxes, circles ext but the continuous varying geometry is where I hit problems.. I mean the Horse looks great in Cambam its the gcode plot that has problems...
Thanks
Garry

[blowlamp]

Load the DXF, press Ctrl+A to select all geometry, press Ctrl+J to join all the selected objects with something like 0.01 tolerance (not a critical number), and whilst all the polylines are highlighted (in red), select an Engrave machining operation (MOP) from the row of red coloured icons at the top of the screen.

Ctrl+W will generate the G-Code for you.



Martin.


PS. Register and post your queries on the CamBam forum for good support.

[george4657]

I just did a trial with free version and GCode looks good

Steps:
Load file
Edit -> select all
Edit -> Polylines -> Convert to Polylines
Edit -> select all
Edit -> Polylines -> Join ( I set tolerance to .005)
Cam -> Engrave
I did not adjust defaults I just used values that came up for test.
You will want to adjust to your machine
Cam -> generate tool path
I could not see the tool path as it is on the line when engraving.
Cam -> Create GCode file

Hope this helps. Doing the polyline functions is the critical step.

George

[zool]

Be sure to watch the videos that are available on the home page.

Also, print of the PDF version of the Cam Bam help files. Put them in a three-ring binder so they are easy to read, and then look though them several times. It is a very easy way to learn a lot.

[gmfoster]

Load the DXF, press Ctrl+A to select all geometry, press Ctrl+J to join all the selected objects with something like 0.01 tolerance (not a critical number), and whilst all the polylines are highlighted (in red), select an Engrave machining operation (MOP) from the row of red coloured icons at the top of the screen.

Ctrl+W will generate the G-Code for you.



Martin.


PS. Register and post your queries on the CamBam forum for good support.

Thanks Martin
Been over with the Grand-kids for their county fair for over a week and just got back will give this a try..

[gmfoster]

I just did a trial with free version and GCode looks good

Steps:
Load file
Edit -> select all
Edit -> Polylines -> Convert to Polylines
Edit -> select all
Edit -> Polylines -> Join ( I set tolerance to .005)
Cam -> Engrave
I did not adjust defaults I just used values that came up for test.
You will want to adjust to your machine
Cam -> generate tool path
I could not see the tool path as it is on the line when engraving.
Cam -> Create GCode file

Hope this helps. Doing the polyline functions is the critical step.

George

Thanks George as stated earlier I have been gone and missed these posts. Thanks..
Garry