[freezer]

I have been trying to take a file i made with turbocad 2d and convert it to gcode. If i convert the dxf file with g2000 it says there is nothing to do... I used ace and it converted but i only get a line.

What am i missing here?

[dherbman]

I've absolutely no experience with any of these apps, but I won't let that stop me from taking a stab..... Do you have your entities on the correct layer?

Please include DXF output in your post.

[kong]

It works with Ace ..........
If you explode those splines into points, and then save as autocad R12 dxf. Ace doesn't like splines, or up-to-date file types. Here you go.

[freezer]

It is only 2d... would there be layers?????

[freezer]

Kong,

When i opened the file up with g2000 i only get a line... What program are you using to view the gcode?

Also what do you mean explode

[JOE65]

A 2d drawing can have lots of layers.

A layer is simply a tool used to help keep a drawing organized.

Layers: A methode of seperating drawing objects so that they can be viewed individualy or stacked like transparent accetates.

( from an acad14 tutorial guide )

[ger21]

I just downloaded ACE, and converted your .dxf and it generated what looked like a couple hundred lines of gcode. The curved part of the .dxf was a block in AutoCAD that needed to be exploded. How are you drawing them in TurboCAD? They need to be broken up before you export the .dxf. Other than that it seemed to work fine with ace.

Gerry

[freezer]

ger21,

I really dont understand what you mean by broken up and exploded. I am using Beizer in tcad to do the heart.

Are you able to see the entire image? I have not figured out how to get it to a jpeg or bmp yet...

[ger21]

A bezier curve can't be converted into g-code. It needs to be broken into simple arcs or short, straight segments.Is ther an explode or similar command in turbocaad to convert the bezier curve into simpler segments? thats what you need to do. I just loaded the .dxf into AutoCAD to look at it.

Gerry

[freezer]

Actually, I double checked it and the properties say it is a spline. I did find an explode command. That did the trick... Now if i could figure out the z-axis stuff... Will have to work on that next... but my software is 2d only....

[freezer]

Here is what i have now... I need to figure out the z-axis to make the two crosscut lines. But that is for another day... There seems to be one error though. On the right side where the flames are comming out... How do you figure out how to correct that?

[ger21]

You either need to view the toolpaths in 3D, or understand how to read gcode to see if what appear to be errors are actually rapid moves above your part.

Gerry

[kong]

It looks like a rapid move, as per Mach2.

[freezer]

Anyone know of a free/cheap 3d cad program that does not have a huge learning curve?

[kong]

You should be abelo to pick up Turbocad 7 for about $10 or less on ebay. It will do excellent 3d until you are ready for the latest version or one of the more expensive commercial apps.

[ger21]

I don't think I've ever seen anyone mention DesignCAD here, but I think it's worth a look.

http://www.imsisoft.com/prodinfo.asp?t=1&mcid=80

It's a great deal for $100 bucks, and pretty easy to learn. Not sure about now, but it used to be easier to use than TurboCAD, too. Once you learn either one of these, it makes the transition to the higher end CAD programs (like AutoCAD) much easier.

Gerry

[freezer]

I posted over in the turbocad forum but wondering if it is possible to take my 2d file...(i dl'd tcad 9 trial) and convert it to a 3d by just raising the z-axis... I have been searching the net but have not had any luck...

[kong]

I posted in the other post, but remember that by raising the z, you still have a flat top and bottom. Also, this 3d file will not be accepted by Ace as it only does 2d. What I am wondering now is why you would want to convert it to 3d? If it to set different z cutting depths, then you can use the layers as mentioned earlier. Quite simply, put each section that you want a different height on a seperate layer, then tell Ace in which order you want it to cut the layers, and what depth to cut each layer down to. Of course, I may be barking up the wrong tree, but it may help!

[freezer]

I posted over in the turbocad forum but wondering if it is possible to take my 2d file...(i dl'd tcad 9 trial) and convert it to a 3d by just raising the z-axis... I have been searching the net but have not had any luck...

[freezer]

never mind, got the answer...