[zachjowi]

is there any kind of software that can convert a picture to g-code for my Sherline CNC milling machine. I am running linux on it.

[lakeside]

there are a few software that can do this but they are add ons to the main software package. Some of them would be, mastercam art, Bobart Pro X, Artcam cam and a few others

[ger21]

Mach3's LazyCAM, www.artofcnc.ca
MeshCAM, www.meshcam.com
Image to G-code, http://www.imagetogcode.com/
Another, http://www.timeguy.com/cradek/image-to-gcode
ImageCarve, http://www.timeguy.com/cradek/image-to-gcode
VS3D, http://www.designscomputed.com/vs3d/index.html
Acme Profiler, http://www2.fwi.com/~kimble/scispec/scispec.htm
Photo VCarve, http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectr.../pvc_index.htm

[zachjowi]

I have software that came with my Sherline mill on my computer that controls the mill using Linux and it can import G-code, so is there any software that can be used on my Windows XP computer to make the G-code and import it on the Linux machine?

PS does Autodesk inventor, Auto Cad 2006, sketchup, or prodesktop do jpg to gcode because I have those software titles.

[ger21]

All the ones I listed will make the G-code in XP. The ones you listed won't.

[zachjowi]

All the ones I listed will make the G-code in XP. The ones you listed won't.

can I make a DXF? and then convert that to g-code?

[ger21]

a .dxf from an image?

[zachjowi]

a .dxf from an image?

yes is that possible using Autodesk inventor?

[ger21]

I don't think so.

[wizard]

Not to be short here, but did you look up any of the addresses mentioned? Frankly you have left me confused about what you want. Further if you scroll down on the root menu page you will see a section call open source software. There you will find a thread on doing a grey scale to CNC conversion.

If you search around a bit you are likely to find other programs also.

As to the DXF conversion i have no idea why you would want to do that. To get the best develoment of G-code direct conversion is the answer. Even if by chance nothing you find on the net fits the bill as far as a G-code generator goes there is enough info out there that you could write your own. it is not a big deal.

Thanks
dave

[zachjowi]

Not to be short here, but did you look up any of the addresses mentioned? Frankly you have left me confused about what you want. Further if you scroll down on the root menu page you will see a section call open source software. There you will find a thread on doing a grey scale to CNC conversion.

If you search around a bit you are likely to find other programs also.

As to the DXF conversion i have no idea why you would want to do that. To get the best develoment of G-code direct conversion is the answer. Even if by chance nothing you find on the net fits the bill as far as a G-code generator goes there is enough info out there that you could write your own. it is not a big deal.

Thanks
dave

I can't write my own because I just started learning. I need this software to run on Linux and I know very little about Linux and how to install software on it.

[ynneb]

Mach3's LazyCAM, www.artofcnc.ca
MeshCAM, www.meshcam.com
Image to G-code, http://www.imagetogcode.com/
Another, http://www.timeguy.com/cradek/image-to-gcode
ImageCarve, http://www.timeguy.com/cradek/image-to-gcode
VS3D, http://www.designscomputed.com/vs3d/index.html
Acme Profiler, http://www2.fwi.com/~kimble/scispec/scispec.htm
Photo VCarve, http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vect...c/pvc_index.htm

Gerry, you are such a show off. Links king of CNC

[jimini]

can I make a DXF? and then convert that to g-code?

Why reinvent the wheel. I'd follow Ger21's advice, really quite easy and simple to make Gcode.
Here's a picture done with Profiler6...Jim

[zachjowi]

what onr of those programs would allow me to import picture change it to gcode then let me save it and transfer it to my flashdrive for my linux mill. I have only seen some of these programs so far and they all require that you use them on the machine controlling the mill so that they can set the bit length etc.

[ynneb]

This is one of the problems of linux users. There is little support for CAM. It means you need to do your Cam in windows and then reboot into Linux.

My suggestion is use a program like Mach3 to run your mill in windows and then run LazyCam that comes with Mach3. You can even get the unlimited time trial version of Mach3 and use it indefinately, so long as you dont need to use more than 1000 lines of code. If you did need to ever buy mach3 its only $160, and simply the best CNC controller software available.

I dont know much about doing the conversion, but I am willing to learn so I can help you get set up if you want.

[ger21]

what onr of those programs would allow me to import picture change it to gcode then let me save it and transfer it to my flashdrive for my linux mill. I have only seen some of these programs so far and they all require that you use them on the machine controlling the mill so that they can set the bit length etc.

None of these need to be on the control machine. The g-code is just a text file that can easily be transferred. Just enter the tool info that you'll be using.

[Dan Falck]

Check this out:

http://users.erols.com/mshaver/bmp2cnc-0.22.tgz

there is a Dos executable included that you could use. It converts bitmaps to g-code. A friend wrote this a couple years ago. I tried it a while back, and I it works.

Dan

[Sanghera]

Your file does not open.

[Dan Falck]

it's a gzip file. Another form of compression file.

check out this link:
http://www.gzip.org/
scroll down the page-
"To extract .tar and .tar.gz files on Windows 9x/NT/2000/ME/XP use PowerArchiver 6.1 (freeware) or 7-zip (freeware) or Winzip (commercial). For tar on MSDOS or other systems, see the FAQ of the comp.compression newsgroup."

I unzipped the file tonight and checked it out. Yes there is a DOS executable bundled with it. I couldn't try it out, since I'm using unix/linux machines, but I did try out the linux version and it works.

Good luck.

Dan

[vineyard]

New address for profiler 6.0:
http://www.gunstar1.com/scispec/scispec.htm