http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/vector-shapes-and-tool-pathing Free, open-source plans for a low-cost 3-axis CNC mill by Taylor Hokanson and Chris Reilly. Sponsored by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. en-US Mon, 20 May 2013 09:05:33 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://diylilcnc.org/forum/search.php http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/vector-shapes-and-tool-pathing#post-35 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:25:57 +0000 Chris 35@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>&gt;Do you know of a decent open source cad software for working with 2d/dxf files? </p> <p>nazerine, great question!</p> <p>I know that both <a href="http://www.blender.org/">Blender</a> and <a href="http://www.inkscape.org/">Inkscape</a> are free and can work with 2D vectors. </p> <p>Recommendations, anyone? </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/vector-shapes-and-tool-pathing#post-31 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:49:44 +0000 nazerine 31@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Interesting, VCarve imports the layer names, but only layer 1 has data. Sketchup imports all the layers properly, and can be viewed. Thanks for the tip :)</p> <p>Do you know of a decent open source cad software for working with 2d/dxf files? </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/vector-shapes-and-tool-pathing#post-29 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:53:19 +0000 Chris 29@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>nazerine, the DXF is set up in layers; one for each cut sheet, just like in the instructions. I don't know sketchup or vcarve, so I can't troubleshoot specifics of those programs, but if there's a layer function in either, try that. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/vector-shapes-and-tool-pathing#post-26 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:18:28 +0000 nazerine 26@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>It would seem some of the issues are corrected with the DXF; but alas there are new ones.</p> <p>Circles are now almost vector lines, they are now 4-piece open vector circles. I have to manually join/close them to apply a cutting tool path. All other vectors are joined and closed properly.</p> <p>Perhaps I'm just a DXF newb, but I can only get the 'first page' when loading it. Both in google sketchup, and vectric vcarve. I would imagine there should be one dxf file, for each 16x32" sheet to be cut. </p> <p>Otherwise it loads to scale correctly and ready for me to design some tool paths to cut this on a cnc router :) </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/vector-shapes-and-tool-pathing#post-20 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:03:17 +0000 Chris 20@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Also, please see the <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/downloads">downloads</a> section for a new .zip with a DXF included. Hope that helps! </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/vector-shapes-and-tool-pathing#post-18 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:24:42 +0000 Chris 18@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p><img src="http://diylilcnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/bb_press_logo.png" /></p> <p>nazerine, you can now post images with the img tag!</p> <p>Sorry, it is not a default option in bbPress... had to install a plugin. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/vector-shapes-and-tool-pathing#post-17 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:04:50 +0000 nazerine 17@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Good morning Taylor,</p> <p>Yes they are imported as 16 four-sided rectangles. Shapes instead of lines. I believe it is a drawing issue, as importing is very straight forward. Like I said, not all are being created this way.</p> <p>I was going to post a screen cap, but I could not see how to attach files, inline images, or any rules in regards to posting offsite links. Wasn't sure so didn't do it.</p> <p>Please advise. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/vector-shapes-and-tool-pathing#post-15 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:11:23 +0000 Taylor 15@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Nazerine,</p> <p>When you say that a circle imports as a set of rectangles, do you mean that it actually displays 16 four-sided rectangles? Or perhaps you're getting a 16-sided polygon. Can you post a screencap so we can help you troubleshoot? </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/vector-shapes-and-tool-pathing#post-14 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:41:07 +0000 nazerine 14@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Hi guys,</p> <p>I'm trying to import the pdf vectors into Vectric VCarve 5 to design tool pathing to cut the design on a cnc router table. </p> <p>First try to import, vcarve stacks all pages/vectors into one area. Used acrobat to split each page into a file. Import pdf, set work area to 16x23", everything is to scale now.</p> <p>Now the real problem: some circles are not actual vector circles, but 16 small rectangles arranged in the shape of a circle. Also the mortise holes are 4 rectangles, not a 4 sided vector line.</p> <p>My plan was to try cutting out a few pieces using a 1/16" end mill and dogbone/fillet the mortise and tenon joints and see how well it first together.</p> <p>PS: Found the link to here from hackaday.com </p>