I'm quite new to CNC so bear with me.
I have got EMC running on Linux controlling my rebuilt Denford Triac. I have created a DXF file of a simple 2D shape using my PCB editing program and then used a program called dxf2gcode to create a gCode file that EMC can use.
As a test, I also installed a program called CncSimulator which seems to allow me to simulate the gCode in the file that I have created. It looks like it produces sensible toolpaths but I have not tried running it on the machine yet I plan to run it with a pencil in the chuck first to see what it would cut.
My question: - I see quite a few people showing nice 3D images of their models created in one program or another but I don't know how I would go about taking a 3D image and creating gCode from it?
Am I right in thinking that when they want to machine a specific part, they get the program to show them a 2D image and then they export that to DXF and then convert from DXF to gCode - or is there a simpler way?
Regards
Martin
I have got EMC running on Linux controlling my rebuilt Denford Triac. I have created a DXF file of a simple 2D shape using my PCB editing program and then used a program called dxf2gcode to create a gCode file that EMC can use.
As a test, I also installed a program called CncSimulator which seems to allow me to simulate the gCode in the file that I have created. It looks like it produces sensible toolpaths but I have not tried running it on the machine yet I plan to run it with a pencil in the chuck first to see what it would cut.
My question: - I see quite a few people showing nice 3D images of their models created in one program or another but I don't know how I would go about taking a 3D image and creating gCode from it?
Am I right in thinking that when they want to machine a specific part, they get the program to show them a 2D image and then they export that to DXF and then convert from DXF to gCode - or is there a simpler way?
Regards
Martin