[thasatelliteguy]

I just installed FM, and I can't make it do ANYTHING useful. Can I not create a part or I have to import a part? I am extremely new to this and I'm trying to cut my first part. I need to draw a circle and have the machine go down and go in a circle... it should not be this hard to do that.

Update: I have figured out that I can create at least a 2D circle in Illustrator and export to DXF. It imports but not a part. I figured out how to create a cylinder in freemill. It's not a part. How do I make it a PART? There is nothing in any menu I can see that helps. I am usually adept at figuring SW out, but it's super frustrating to be given an error right off jump street with no appearent path to a solution....

[keebler303]

Freemill is free, first off, so don't expect too much.
I think it is only meant for rastering of 3D models. That is the only way I have ever used it. It works very well to import an .stl file and make a toolpath. I think you are probably not using freemill as it was meant to be used and there are other solutions available for simple 2D cutting which is what it sounds like you need.

[ger21]

If you want to cut a circle, than FreeMill is the Wrong software. It only works with 3D models.

[thasatelliteguy]

Ok. But that still doesn't answer my question... I DO want to cut 3D objects, and the program looks very much capable of both importing them as well as producing them. I can create and extrude cylinders, cubes, text, edit lines and nodes... but how do I make it identify what I create as a "part"? I can't find how to do that. The tutorial on youtube skips the explanation of that aspect, and I really don't get why cuz its the first error you see as soon as you start it up

[ger21]

You can't create anything in Freemill. You can only import 3D models in the supported formats.

[thasatelliteguy]

You people have lost ur everloving minds. I just figured it out. This program seemed way too powerful, with way too many buttons not to be able to create something. You can create your own parts within the sw. You can setup to do 2D stuff like engrave. There was a step missing to get it to see a part rather than a drawing. Now it sees a part and allows me to define the material dimensions, start point, tool, tool path, etc.

Unfortunately, I guess it looks like I'm on my own, because how can I trust the answers from the people who came b4 me, if the concensus is one thing, and I have the opposite staring me right in the face?

[ger21]

Apparently, the version you're using is much different than the ones I've used in the past.
It would seem to be different than what Mecsoft says it is here:
http://mecsoft.com/freemill/

[keebler303]

Apparently, the version you're using is much different than the ones I've used in the past.
It would seem to be different than what Mecsoft says it is here:
Free CAD/CAM Software Package from MecSoft Corporation

AGREED.

Sounds nothing like what I know as Freemill.

Good Luck

[thasatelliteguy]

It says right in the link you provided CAD/CAM software. Not CAM software. It is built on, and plugged into VisualCAD. You have to download VisualCAD and install it before you can even install Freemill. This may be new I guess. The CAD side of the program that is now siamesed on with FeeMILL seems very powerful indeed. There are many many options that are there. How many are 'save impaired' or in some other way impaired, I don't know yet, but it seems extremely open.

[ger21]

The Freemill that's been around for years (and the only version I've ever seen) only allows you to import models and create g-code - which is exactly what the description says in the link I posted. It says absolutely nothing about creating geometry or models, only importing and creating g-code.

[thasatelliteguy]

Wow, you must be a Democrat... How about clicking on the link and seeing what I'm talking about instead of blindly regurgitating your incorrect position. If you click on the 'screenshot', you can even see that it says VisualCAD 2012 at the top, as well as the 'curves' toolbar that they were at when they took the screenshot. Appearently, they've changed it. I don't know what it was b4, but now, you dl the whole package of VisualCAD/VisualMILL and then when you start it, you select FreeMILL as your license type. I assume that engages some functionality limitation, but you can DEFINITELY play around with 'creating geometry'.

Edit: And by clicking the link, I mean try to DL the newest version...

[Raf-1200]

Lol that's awesome. How one person goes from asking a question to insulting people that are only giving their views on the software they've used in the past. You may be correct but you are in no way diplomatic! Pure gold!

I guess we all get frustrated with milling at times


Www.mostynindustries.com.au
Cafe Racer and Custom Bike Builds

[ger21]

Wow, you must be a Democrat... How about clicking on the link and seeing what I'm talking about instead of blindly regurgitating your incorrect position.

My "position" matches the description they have on their website.
I'm not going to download and install any software to help someone who's a complete *******.

[Raf-1200]

Agreed. Maybe Keebler could see into the future and so left him alone after the first reply. Makes everyone a bit less likely to try and help next time. Ohh and bringing politics into a forum is a good idea too lmao


Www.mostynindustries.com.au
Cafe Racer and Custom Bike Builds

[Bastard Thread]

Thasatelliteguy I have the same problem, No active part- pops up. I spent hours looking in the HELP menu with no luck. Would you please help me with this.
I am 58 years old and trying to learn this has been a bear for me. I have a nice Bridgeport V2XT mill that i would love to make chips with.
Thanks Keith Oakley.

[thasatelliteguy]

The answer was not obvious at all.... You have to go into one of the expansion bars over by where you can draw polygons and extrude surfaces and such. It's been a long time now since I have been in there so I dont remember exactly, but you're looking for "Analyse" or something near that meaning. Once it 'analyses' whatever it's looking at, all of a sudden you have a project. Also, I may remember something about having to have surfaces as well. When you draw a wire frame in VisualCAD you have to tell it to make the shape into a surface or it doesn't really "exist". I wouldn't go much past there without trying to save your work though, cuz if I remember, I was correct about it being 'save impaired'. They make you download and install VisualCAD in order to use VisualMILL, but they won't let you save your work until you buy VCAD.

Personally, as a noob, with no correct support from the community, I had way more luck with AutoCAD 2006 and sending that into LazyCAM. I'm not sure what conrtol program you will be using though... You WILL have to youtube the AutoCAD, but there are at least EXTENSIVE tutorial libraries out there to watch and teach you how to get around in there and create what you want. Hope that is of some help! I beat my head against the wall for almost two weeks before I got that far. I found it extremely frustrating that what tutorials there were online, all started by opening an existing project, and therefor, skipping the step I was hung on.....